How to Take Care of Dry Skin

Dry, scaly, flaky dermis needs extra care and treatment to restore it back to its touchable shape. It could be a seasonal temporary condition due to a change of environment, or a long-term issue. Either way, dry skin can be easily treated.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Body lotion
• Moisturizer
• Sun Screen
• Bath Gel
• Humidifier

1. Smooth on a body moisturizer. Any brand will do but look for one that contains salicylic or alpha-hydroxyl. These ingredients add the extra smoothness you seek. Regular hydrated skin equals soft skin and that includes moisturizing your hands every time they become wet, after washing dishes or getting out of the shower. Opt for body washes instead of bar soaps in the shower to maintain moisturized skin. When towel drying, simply pat your skin dry and avoid roughly scrubbing yourself to remove all traces of water.
2. Exfoliate every two to three days with a scrub to slough off dead skin cells. A scrub can help make every part of your body, including feet, elbows, knees and back silky soft. Either head to a spa for a complete body scrub or make up one of your own. Good scrubbing ingredients can either be sea salt or sugar but never without adding something to them such as olive oil or honey. Rub the mixture into the skin but never too rough. After washing the scrub off, the residue of the oils will penetrate your skin to a velvety touch, plus get rid of the flakiness.
3. Wear socks at home to help those scaly dry feet. Feet tend to become cracked, rough and dry from being trapped in shoes and boots. In the evening, remove your shoes and socks/stockings. Apply a rich and heavy cream, such as Vaseline, to your feet and cover them with a clean pair of socks. Go about your normal evening routine while the heat of socks will help the lotion to penetrate and soften your soles easily. Before you retire, remove the socks and pat them dry.
4. Face the facts. Both men and women need proper clearing and moisturizers on their face. Find an oil-based moisturizer, and use it frequently. The oils in the moisturizers form a protective layer on the skin that makes these more effective than other creams and lotions.Give your self either a professional facial or a complete one at home once a week including a hydrating mask, mild toner and cleanser. Use a sun screen that is SPF 15 or higher to areas exposed to the sun. Some moisturizers have this included within their product.Licking your lips, can be very drying, so use a lip protector especially in colder or dryer climates.
5. Humidify your home especially during the winter season as heat has a drying effect on the skin. This will add the extra bit of moisture in the air.Drink water as it will hydrate your skin from the inside. Dehydration tends to show on your skin first. Remember taking care of your skin inside and out will only improve dry skin and give you the results you seek.

Tips & Warnings

• Shave your legs as often as possible. Shaving will actually work like a skin peel from the friction of the razor. The more you shave, the more the layers of dead, dry cells of the skin are manually removed. The newer layers appear as a healthy sprout of softer skin cells.
• If dry skin is coincides with itching or does not improve, see a dermatologist to rule out any serious skin problems.
• Don't forget your cuticles on hands and feet. They tend to be the first areas to show dryness. To combat this and add moisture back, use your cuticle cream daily.
• Avoid hot showers as this causes havoc on the skin as it robs your skin of its natural moisturize. Lower the temp and have your skin gain back its supple self