Say Goodbye To Dry Skin With These Helpful Tips

Most people have suffered with dry skin at some point in their lives and the problem often gets worse in winter. There may be particular areas of your body that are more affected than others. There are things that you can do to ease the itchiness and discomfort that are associated with dry skin. Some of these things are described in more detail below.

Don't take long hot baths often

If the water you are bathing in is very hot, then this can dry out your skin even more. You do not have to give up baths altogether, but you could make the water a little cooler. You could also think about limiting the time that you spend in the bath. You may also want to think about putting some body oil in the water instead of bath foam. If you still find that your skin feels dry after a bath, then you may need to think about switching to a cool shower.

Choose cleansers wisely

You should also think carefully about the cleansers that you use on your skin. Moisturizing cleansers are available that can be applied in addition to your normal moisturizer. You should also avoid cleansers that contain alcohol, as this can also dry out the skin. When it comes to choosing a hand wash, most antibacterial cleansers will contain alcohol and so you should check for this before you make a purchase.

Choose the right moisturizer for your skin

As well as being dry, there may be other issues with your skin such as sensitivity. Good body moisturizers can make all the difference to dry skin and so it is important that you choose one that is right for you. For really dry skin, then you will probably be better with a cream rather than a lotion as this will provide your skin with a lot more hydration. You may also find that applying moisturizer when your skin is wet makes it easier to absorb into your skin. You can apply moisturizer to your body as often as is needed.

Don't rub skin excessively

When you get out of the bath or shower, you should pat yourself dry with the towel rather than rubbing. This may take a little longer, but you will not be aggravating your skin. When skin is dry it can also become flaky and rubbing too hard with a towel can make it flake even more. You may find that fluffier towels are more absorbent when you are patting your skin dry and so this is the type of towel that you may want to choose.

Keep your skin protected in the sun

There are many reasons why you should take care of your skin in the sun, and dry skin is just one of them. If you are going to be outdoors for any length of time, then you should apply some suntan lotion. Try to stay in the shade as much as possible and always apply after sun or another type of moisturizer at the end of the day. In the summer you can also wear a hat to give your face even more protection. You should also remember that the sun can be just as strong in the winter as it is in summer and so you should always apply lotion whenever the sun is shining brightly.

Try to quit smoking

If you smoke, then this can also cause problems for your skin. This is because the chemicals in cigarettes restrict the circulation of blood around the body. It can also cause the blood vessels in your face to become more prominent, giving you a flushed appearance. Smoking is also associated with ageing the skin. With all the other countless health benefits that come with stopping smoking, it is something that you may want to think seriously about.

Make sure you stay hydrated

One of the best things you can do for your skin is to stay hydrated. You should drink plenty of fluids throughout the day and water is the best choice. Ideally you should be consuming 2 liters of fluid per day and this should be more if the weather is very hot or if you have done a lot of exercise. Try to avoid drinking too much fluids that can dehydrate you such as tea, coffee and alcohol. Fruit and vegetables are also very good at keeping you hydrated and so you should try and include as many of them in your diet as possible.

Make sure your home has the right level of humidity

The humidity in your home also has more of an effect on your skin than you may realize. You can buy a hygrometer which will monitor the levels of humidity in the home. In the summer months the humidity in your home should be no more than 30% and this rises to 50% in the winter. If you find that the humidity in your home is often higher than these levels, then you may want to consider investing in a dehumidifier.

Keep wrapped up in cold weather

Dry skin can be worse in the winter and so you should try to avoid having exposed skin when the weather is very cold. Many people experience dry skin on their hands in the winter and so you should always wear gloves if this is a problem that you have. Applying hand cream morning and night can help with this issue. Wearing a scarf can also help to protect the skin on your face. Lip balm can also be used to prevent chapping. 

The tips that have been discussed above can be used whether you suffer from dry skin on a daily basis or it only affects you now and again. Not everything will work in the same way for everyone and so it may take some trial and error before you find the things that work best for you. Dry skin can be irritating, especially if your skin gets itchy and flaky, but it is not something that you just have to put up with.