Dry Skin
Dry skin relief is within reach. Here’s how to get rid of dry skin and keep skin hydrated so it retains moisture all day long.
Is Your Skin Feeling Dry?
Dry skin affects nearly everyone at some point. The most common causes of dry skin are environmental (cold temperatures and low humidity), but age, genetics and a personal history of certain medical conditions can also play a role. Healthy skin contains moisture-rich water, oils and lipids. What you see and feel is your skin becoming flaky, dry and itchy because it is unable to retain this much needed moisture.
How to Get Rid of Dry Skin
Your skin draws moisture from the environment, your diet and your skincare regimen. The water content of the outermost layer of your skin (the epidermis) also tends to reflect the level of humidity around it, so following the same skin care routine year-round may not be working when the humidity drops. Here are a few simple ways to keep your skin hydrated and combat itchy, dry skin:
Make It Quick
Limit time in the shower or bath to 5 to 10 minutes. Use warm, not hot water and a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.
Moisturize Immediately After Washing
Ointments, creams and lotions work by trapping existing moisture in your skin. Moisturize immediately after washing, while your skin is still damp.
Use a Humidifier
Use a humidifier to add much-needed moisture to the air and help prevent your skin from drying out.
Choose Fabrics That Are Kind to Your Skin
Natural fibers, such as cotton and silk, allow your skin to breathe.
Change Up Your Diet
Eat a diet rich in healthy fats like fish, walnuts, olive oil, and avocados and drink lots of water!
Try to Avoid Fragrances
Deodorant soaps, alcohol-based toners, and products that contain fragrance can irritate dry, sensitive skin.
Dry Skin Treatment
Winning the battle against dry skin can be tough, but perseverance is key. The first step is to add moisture back. If your skin is extra-dry, you’ll likely do better with a richer cream or balm rather than a lotion. Start by choosing a gentle, yet effective cleanser that leaves your skin feeling soft and clean, never dry or tight.
The best moisturizers for dry skin treatment are those that have a combination of moisturizing ingredients that stop the itching, prevent loss of water and restore skin hydration. Ingredients that help soothe dry skin include colloidal oatmeal, dimethicone, glycerin, mineral oil and petrolatum.
