How to Soften Dry Winter Skin

winter scene

When your skin is dry, it feels uncomfortable and possibly even itchy. It may even look scaly and rough. Many factors play together in creating dry skin but one major factor is the cold chill of winter. There are methods that you can use to help soften dry winter skin and make it feel and look better than ever.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Lotion
• Mild cleansers
• Bath oil
• Exfoliating sponges or brushes
• Fish oil supplements
• Eight ounce glasses of drinking water
• Humidifier
• Gloves and socks made from natural fibers
• Petroleum based lip balm

1. Moisturize your skin. You know you need to moisturize your skin with a good lotion. Yet, many people do not realize that they should be doing this after taking a shower or bath. If at all possible, apply lotion within three minutes of stepping out of the bathtub or shower while your skin is still damp.

2. Add bath oil to the bath water. Oil will help lock in your body's moisturize and soothe any dry skin you already may have.

3. Learn how to exfoliate your skin and do it whenever you find dry patches on your skin. Exfoliating is an easy way to remove dead skin from your body and it is also a great way to keep the dead skin from cracking and becoming sore.

4. Consume omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, can help protect your skin by helping the skin cells to hold more water within them and keeping them from becoming dehydrated as quickly.

5. Use mild cleansing products on your skin. Aim to use products that are marked for sensitive skin that do not contain alcohol.

6. Hydrate your skin by drinking eight glasses of water a day. This will help soften your skin from the inside out.

Tips & Warnings

• All types of furnaces dry out the air in your home. If you can, place a humidifier in your home to replace the moisturize that is lost to help soften your skin and moisturize your hair.

• Cover as much of your skin as you can when you are outside to keep the harsh winter winds from coming into direct contact with your skin, especially your hands and feet. If you can, choose gloves and socks made from soft comfortable natural fibers.

• Do not forget to protect your lips from the harsh winter cold by applying a petroleum-based lip balm before heading outdoors.

• If you are prone to oily skin in the summer months and have been using deep pore cleansers, stop as winter approaches. These will make your skin too dry.

• When drying off after a bath, do not rub your skin with a towel. Instead pat yourself dry.

• Take shorter showers and baths in the winter, using lukewarm water. Long, hot baths and showers can strip your skin of essential oils, causing it to become dry.