Easy and natural dry skin care. Relieve your agony with these simple home-care steps ...
Are you looking for remedies to combat flaking, itching, cracking skin? Dry skin treatments and remedies that are both easy and effective?
Dry skin is unsightly, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright painful. Ouch!
There is help, though. You can find relief by following the dermatologist-recommended advice below.
Dry skin care... Preserve Oil
Nature provides you with the best defense against dry skin…your own natural oil. Excessive bathing, however, washes away this natural barrier.
As the Mayo clinic advises: "Don’t soak, scrub, or rub".
Take short showers: 5-10 minutes.
Use warm, never hot, water.
Gently lather with a mild cleanser.
Pat with a soft towel until damp dry.
Limit showers to one per day.
(If your skin is extremely dry, experts recommend that you skip a shower or two a week. Replace with a gentle "sponge bath".)
Cleansers
Choose a natural soap with added fats or oils. If you prefer a shower gel, make it mild and natural. The best liquid cleansers include a moisturizer.
Be sure to avoid all deodorant and antibacterial soap. These are harsh on your skin and include potentially harmful
ingredients.
The next essential step to dry skin care?
Slather on the Moisturizer!
Moisturizer creates a protective barrier. It seals moisture in while guarding against drying, environmental conditions.
Right away, while your skin is still damp from the shower, add a layer of natural moisturizer or body oil. This trick locks moisture in. Spend a few extra minutes here and really pamper yourself.
Moisturize your body morning and night … more often, if possible.
Additional measures for dry skin care…
Use a home humidifier.
Dry indoor air, especially heated air, is cruel to your skin. A humidifier will help replace moisture loss. Use a humidifier in your bedroom and awaken to hydrated skin. (If you initiate this step, be prepared for the upkeep. Humidifiers require scrupulous cleaning to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.)
Wear natural fibers, such as cotton and silk… avoid wool. Moisture and sweat trapped beneath clothing is irritating. Natural fibers allow your skin to breath. Plus, the soft feel of these fabrics is so comforting to dry skin. Be wary of wool, though. It irritates. I wear a cotton turtleneck under my favorite wool sweaters…problem solved.
Use fragrance-free clothes detergent. Dry skin is often sensitive skin. Play it safe and wash your skin-friendly clothes with a skin-friendly, mild detergent...sans fragrance or dye.
Include an adequate supply of Omega 3s in your diet. Healthy eating promotes healthy skin. Essential fatty acids are of particular importance in dry skin care. Good sources include fatty fish, such as salmon and herring, flaxseeds, walnuts, and canola oil.
Persistent symptoms…
This dry skin care routine should bring the relief you need. If your symptoms persist, however, definitely call your physician. Persistent itching of the skin, for example, might indicate an underlying medical condition. Read about more symptoms that indicate a doctor's visit.
My motto: if in doubt, check it out.
As the Mayo clinic advises: "Don’t soak, scrub, or rub".
