How to Keep Your Skin Moisturized With Little Work

Healthy skin is easy to touch.

Keep your skin moisturized with little work on your part, to slow the effects of aging without complicating your busy life. If your skin becomes too dry it can begin to crack, making you vulnerable to bacterial infections that are hazardous to your health. It doesn't take much to lock moisture into your skin, and taking a few minutes per day to do so brings the reward of younger looking, healthy skin for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Humidifier
• Cleanser
• Wash cloth
• Olive Oil

Instructions

1. Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day to keep your body hydrated. Run a humidifier in your home during winter months, to counteract the drying effects of indoor heating systems.

2. Wash your face with a cleanser every morning and evening. Gently wash off cleanser with a wash cloth drenched in tepid water, to exfoliate dead skin cells easily.

3. Rub a small amount of extra virgin olive oil into your skin immediately after cleansing, while skin is still damp. This locks in moisture and keeps skin soft.

4. Put on sunscreen every day, to protect you from the drying effects of harmful UV rays from the sun.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer to buy a skin moisturizer instead of using olive oil, look for brands that include natural moisture-locking ingredients, such as soy, oatmeal, shea butter, avocado oil and borage seed oil.

• Expensive moisturizers are not always the healthiest choice for your skin, as many contain fragrances or mineral oil, which dry out your skin instead of moisturizing it. Always read the label of any prospective new moisturizer, or you may pay a lot of money for an ineffective product.

References

• Princeton University Health Services: General Skin Care Tips
• Simple Organic; Using Olive Oil in Your Beauty Routine; Tiffany Larson; 2011
• Everyday Health; Top Ways to Moisturize Dry Skin; Beth W. Orenstein

Resources

• American Academy of Dermatology: Skin Care on a Budget