Dry skin can result in conditions ranging from itchy and annoying to painful and daunting. Over 60 percent of people in the United States feel uncomfortable in their skin, and much of that is due to self-consciousness due to skin conditions and signs of aging.
One of the most prevalent causes of this diminished self-confidence is dry skin. Combating dry skin is essential to avoid fine lines and wrinkles and ensure skin that glows and radiates beauty. The challenge is learning tips to implement into your daily self-care routine.
Fortunately, you’ve uncovered this helpful guide to the eight tips you can use to combat and overcome dry and itchy skin. Continue reading to restore the glow and elasticity to your skin today!
1. Avoid Taking Hot Showers
Hot showers are a fantastic way to relax after a long day or strenuous workout. They’re also one of the worst things you can do if you’re trying to avoid dry skin. The hot water from the shower is soothing for muscles, but it causes far more damage to the skin than you’d think.
The hot temperatures and humid conditions will draw the moisture out of your skin, leaving you dehydrated and irritated. You’ll notice your skin feeling dry and flaky after getting out of the shower.
If you’re set on enjoying a daily hot shower, limit your time to five to ten minutes. Showers or baths lasting longer than ten minutes will strip your skin of the necessary oils for smooth and healthy skin. It’s best to use lukewarm water to protect and maintain the natural oils on your skin.
2. Learn to Exfoliate
Learning to exfoliate your skin is essential for a quality self-care and skincare routine. Your skin has a lifecycle of 90 days, and the dead skin cells will remain on your body until you or something else removes them. Exfoliation is the process of eliminating these dead skin cells to allow the healthy and glowing skin beneath to shine through.
After removing the dead outer layer, you’ll notice soft and healthy skin beneath. Avoid rubbing too aggressively, as doing so will strip away the top layer of your healthy skin.
Bath sponges and washcloths are ineffective options to use when exfoliating your skin. If you’re set on still using these items for exfoliation, use a light touch to prevent further damage to your itchy skin. The best approach is to find skincare products you love using to maintain your skin.
3. Buy a Thick Moisturizer
A thick moisturizer is a must-have when shopping for skincare products to eliminate itchy skin. A thicker moisturizer is essential to survive winter without itching yourself to death. Thinner products are effective during warmer months, but you’ll need to provide your skin with the best to get through the coldest and dryest seasons.
Look for cocoa butter, coconut oil, and shea butter to provide your skin with ample amounts of lactic acid. Your skin will look radiant and moisturized when you exit the shower. Layer it onto your body after you exit the shower to lock in the moisture your skin needs.
4. Check the Labels
Always check the labels on skincare products to look for the best ingredients for your skin. Many products will market as your ideal skincare solution, but the ingredients will tell the whole story. Avoid any skincare products containing alcohol, as these will dry your skin further and make it feel worse.
It’s also beneficial to purchase products free of parabens for the ideal results. Sulfites are another ingredient to avoid when investing in your skin’s health and wellness. The goal of checking the labels applies to men’s and women’s skincare products.
5. Buy a Humidifier
You can invest in the best skincare products, take all the correct steps, and still languish with dry and scaly skin. Your home environment may be too dry, sapping the moisture from your skin and leaving it feeling itchy. You can overcome this challenge by investing in a humidifier for your home.
The humidifier will add more moisture to your home, making the air more beneficial to your body and skin. You can counteract the dry air in your office or house by allowing the humidifier to circulate.
A 60 percent level is the perfect amount to maintain a comfortable indoor environment while moisturizing the top layer of skin. It’s one of the best investments to avoid dry skin.
6. Limit Scented Soaps
Scented soaps deliver pleasant aromas to your body, bedding, and clothing. It’s the natural choice to cover up unwanted scents and body odor. The scented soaps are also notorious for causing dry skin. Exchange your bar of fragrant soap for a moisturizing shower cream to provide your skin with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to replenish itself.
Dove and Olay are two top brands to consider when shopping for a new soap option. It’s also wise to use fragrance-free fabric softener and laundry detergent.
7. Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet will do wonders for your skin’s health, and you can combine healthy foods with more drinking water to help your skin stay hydrated. Soups and casseroles are hearty meals to make and devour during winter to provide your body with the things it needs to thrive.
Avoid eating foods high in sodium to limit dehydration. Avocados and nuts are other tasty snack options to add to your diet for a healthy complexion and glowing skin.
Drink more water, and limit the coffee, alcohol, and tea you drink. All three options are natural diuretics, resulting in increased dehydration.
Overcome Your Dry Skin Today
Dry skin is one of the most frustrating parts of navigating frigid weather, but there are several things you can do to protect your body’s largest organ and provide it with the resources to thrive. Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and check the labels on the skincare products you purchase. Avoid hot showers, and exfoliate every 90 days to help your skin glow.
Buying products to enhance your health and self-confidence is a wise investment. Read more of our Health articles for beneficial tips to reach your potential today!
