Dry Skin Care Tips
Dry and itchy skin is a problem that plagues many people. It is generally the most intolerable during winters, when your body is less hydrated. But a lot of people have a skin type that is inherently dry. The skin tends to maintain the same impoverished, dry look throughout the year. If you have dry skin genetically or for any other reason, then this article is definitely for you.
Heat absorbs moisture from your body as well as your skin. Hence your skin loses water and turns dry. This is a common problem that everyone faces. However, there are a few simple tips that can refurbish your skin and add that extra glow to it. Follow them and you will thank me one day!
When you bathe your skin, ensure that the water is not steaming hot. Even if the weather is chilly, you should abstain from using hot water. Lukewarm water is fine, but the temperature should be a bare minimum, else hot water can rob your skin off moisture. Hot tubs or steam baths are a strict no-no. After you have finished bathing in cold or lukewarm water, do not dry your skin with a towel. Instead let it dry naturally. This will allow the skin to absorb the water particles sticking to it.
Once your skin dries up a bit (not completely though), apply a good moisturizer on the damp skin. Use oil to lubricate your body instead of lotions since the latter is stickier. Itchiness is also reduced by using oil. If you want to keep your cuticles soft and supple, massage your skin with olive oil. If possible, try to exfoliate your skin before using moisturizer, because it accentuates its effect. However do not exfoliate your face with anything you lay your hands on. You should ideally use a mild scrub that is gentle on your face. The scrub exfoliates and scrapes off dead cells from the skin so that the moisturizer can act on a clean skin and not a flaky one.
Now, have you ever wondered why people in deserts have such a dry, gaunt skin? The reason is that moisture in the atmosphere is good for your skin and desert air is generally dry. If you live in areas which are not humid, or stay in an artificially heated room, please keep a humidifier with you.
Another big deterrent to your skin getting moisture is your daily soap. Try using a creamy moisturizing cleanser that contains glycerin or petroleum. Also avoid anti-bacterial soaps, especially the ones used in public washrooms! They have a harsh effect on your skin.
You should not ignore your lips either. Do not lick your lips (or for that matter anyone else’s!) if they are dry and are wearing out. This does not hydrate them. Apply a nice lip balm to moisturize them instead.
Let me now bust a very old myth. Have you been previously advised to drink excess water to hydrate your skin? If you have been, ignore the advice. Excess water will just bloat you up, without helping your skin in any way. But, yes, adequate water is essential for healthy skin. If you follow these useful tips on a daily basis, you will surely get radiant and beautiful skin which will fetch you many an envious glance!