Dry skin is a very common skin problem and is often worse during the winter when environmental humidity is low. It can occur at all ages and in people with or without other skin problems. Skin often feels dry, rough and appears dull and flaky. Dry skin occurs commonly on the arms and legs, but can also affect the trunk of the body. Dry skin is also called “xerosis” or “asteatosis”.
Here are a few tips and products to help keep your body’s largest organ healthy and hydrated throughout the colder weather.
Full Body Care Tips
Be sure to use different products and skin care techniques on your body than you do for your face. The skin on the body is different and requires different care.
1. Exfoliate
Exfoliate or use a scrub in the bath or shower only once a week during the colder months of the year. If your skin seems to soak up lotion, use a richer formula containing fatty lipids such as shea butter, to help give your skin a good moisture barrier.
2. Moisturize your skin straight out of the shower or bath while skin is damp
This helps to also lock in moisture. Ointments or extremely thick products are always better suited for the skin on your body. Apply them generously after your shower or bath.
3. Add oil to your lotion at night
Mix a couple drops of oil with your moisturizer for an extra boost of moisture before bedtime. Coconut oil is one that works great for the body.
4. Avoid Hot Water
Use only lukewarm water when showering or washing your hands and face. This will avoid stripping your skin of its natural oils. Water that is too hot can dehydrate your skin.
5. Use a Humidifier
The heating indoors dries the air which can dry out your skin. Using a humidifier can help to add moisture back into the air and keep your skin from drying out.
Tips for Dry Hands
With the dry air of the heat in your home, car, other buildings, as well as constant hand washing to avoid colds and the flu, your hands can quickly get dry and chapped. Since the skin on your hands has very few oil glands, you need to constantly moisturize them to keep them hydrated and maintain your skin’s protective barrier. In cases of severely dry hands, apply a thick cream, ointment, or oil to your hands and wear soft cotton gloves overnight.
Lip Care Tips
Don’t forget about your lips. Cold weather can also mean dry, flaky lips. Lips are more susceptible to drying out because the skin on our lips doesn’t contain oil glands, so it can’t really replenish its own moisture. Here are a few lip care tips:
1. Do not lick your lips
When your lips are dry, licking them makes the problem worse because it actually dries out the lips.
2. Exfoliate
Exfoliate lips by gently rubbing them with a wet washcloth or soft toothbrush to remove dry skin. Also, you can exfoliate 3 days a week with sugar or a lip scrub.
3. Moisturize lips overnight
Apply a moisturizing lip balm and leave it on overnight. A little honey or castor oil can also be used overnight to hydrate and soften severely dry lips.
By: Lady Emmy