Is your dry, itchy skin bothering you? Follow our tips for dry skin below from the shower until bedtime to help your skin look and feel better in a matter of days.
Shower Time
When you wake up in the morning and hop in the shower, consider turning down the temperature of your shower. Physicians recommend taking a short (5-10 minute) shower with warm water versus hot water. Hot water is known to diminish the natural oil barriers that your body produces. While showering, use gentle soap free cleansers with no fragrances to maximize the moisture in your skin. Preferably, use cleansers that contain ceramides which help hold in the skin’s moisture. Another shower tip for dry skin is to avoid using scrub brushes, wash clothes, or bath sponges which can cause unnecessary dryness.
Out of the shower
Now that you are out of the shower, it is time to moisturize. Within minutes from stepping out, pat your skin dry for less than 30 seconds then apply a moisturizer of your choice. For best results, look for moisturizers containing the following ingredients:
- Stearic Acid
- Shea Butter
- Ceramides
- Glycerin
Common products that are good for moisturizers are petroleum jelly, mineral oils, non-fragrance lotions, and moisturizers that have at least SPF 30.
Next on our list of dry skin tips is shaving. This is best done during or right after your shower when the hair is still soft. Number one on our shaving list is always use shaving cream or gel! This will help the blade flow smoothly in the direction of the hair and prevent dry skin. Also, use sharp razor blades. Dull razors will damage the skin and cause it to be dry.
Getting Dressed
The clothes you put on after your shower are important for your skin health as well. Avoid wearing wool or other materials that may irritate you skin. Also, choose clothing that has been washed with fragrance free laundry detergent.
Breakfast
Your skin can be benefited by the foods you eat. One food in particular, Oats, is very good for your skin health. Oatmeal is a great way to help your skin look and feel better. According to WebMD, there are chemicals in oats called avenanthramides that help fight off inflammation and redness.
Throughout Your Day
As you are doing your daily chores remember to wear non-latex gloves underneath rubber gloves when coming into contact with chemicals. Wear this double-glove protection when doing the dishes, wahsing windows, cleaning tables, etc. Also, remember to vaccum the floors ofter (at least once a week) to help remove dust-mites that irritate the skin.
When you go into shopping centers, doctors offices, dentists, etc. there are hand sanitizers to help prevent the spread of germs. If possible choose the hydrating hand sanitizers, if not, bring lotion or another moisturizer with you to use after washing your hands.
In the hot summer days, a pool can feel great! The pool is just fine for your skin if you use chemical free water. If not, make sure to rinse off the chlorine from your body and moisturize after you enjoy your day swimming.
Bedtime
After a long day, lay down in bedding that is washed at least once a week to eliminate the dust-mites that irritate skin while you are sleeping. In addition, in the winter time, when the air is cold and dry, use a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your house. Heating your house feels great but it dehydrates the air. Cold-dry air can dry out your skin
If you follow our tips for dry skin daily you can have better looking and feeling skin in only a few days.
