Winter breezes are invigorating, but they suck moisture from your skin. Your furnace provides heat but it's dry air. A hot shower feels great but it washes away your natural body oils. Living in the sun-belt states can add to dry-skin problems. So how do you deal with the fallout: tight, dry, rough skin that can get red & itchy, even crack &/or bleed?
There's plenty you can do!
1) The first step: DO the DO'S listed below.
2) Then choose the right moisturizing products & use them correctly; that's critical! Avoid foaming body washes, cleansers, bubble baths & soaps containing detergents & perfumes (they can strip away your natural body oils).
INSTEAD: Try soaps containing olive oil or other natural ingredients, gentle milk cleansers & body washes. Don't forget the grand classic: cold cream (like Pond's; terrific for removing dirt or makeup). For moderately dry skin: try Dove, Aveeno, or CeraVe.
When it comes to facial creams & lotions, READ LABELS! Look for glycerin, ceramides, shea butter, stearic acid - all are rich moisturizing agents. Consider Dove Pro-Age or Kinerase Night Repair. Remember to apply these while your skin is still damp (AFTER you wash your face or shower.) FOR EXTRA-DRY HANDS or CRACKING SKIN: use plain Vaseline Jelly at night & COVER with cotton socks or rubber gloves. (You'll love your new, smoother skin in the morning!) Wear rubber gloves when you do the dishes; apply moisturizer when done!
DO'S:
Bathe or shower in WARM water.
- Limit bathing time to 5 minutes per day. RESIST the urge to linger in HOT water: that strips away your natural oils!
- Add bath oil after your skin has soaked up water.
- Gently towel-dry when you get out of the bath or pool.
- Rinse off chlorine & salt water.
- Put on moisturizer right after bathing. Try Cetaphil or CeravVe.
- Use lotion after washing hands.
- Use a soap with moisturizer or one for sensitive skin.
- Use a mosturizer recommended by your Dermatologist.
- READ LABELS on your toiletries; AVOID all those with alcohol.
- Wash with a pure or granular soa
- Use Dove or Oil of Olay fragrance-free soap.
- Humidify your home in winter or all year-round if you live in a dry climate.
- Limit your skin-cream collection to one or two products.
- Ask your dermatologist to recommend a non-comedogenic moisturizer.
- Drink lots of water. The upper layer of your skin is only about 10% water, while the deepest layers of your skin are close to 60% water.
- Eat a balanced diet. Fruits, vegetables & fiber provide fluids & important nutrients to your skin.
- DON'Ts:
- Don't take HOT showers or baths.
- Don't take LONG showers or baths.
- Don't put bath oil in tub while it is filling.
- Don't towel dry vigorously.
- Don't air-dry after bathing or swimming.
- DO NOT skimp on drinking water.
- Don't leave the bathroom without applying moisturizer.
- Don't use too many creams or ointments.
- Don't use moisturizers if you have acne without talking with your doctor.
- Don't stay in dry air 24 hours a day.
- DO NOT USE: Zest, Dial, Irish Spring or Ivory Soaps.
- DO NOT USE astringents or alcohol-based products.
- DO NOT USE Vaseline Intensive Care or Suave Lotions.
- Don't forget about what & how you eat. Diet does affect your skin.
- And don't forget: Exercise! (WALK, if nothing else!)
