Dry skin doesn’t feel good. We sometimes think that it’s an inevitable part of fall and winter, but it doesn’t have to be. These are 7 tips to help you prevent your skin from becoming dehydrated. Even using just a few of these can help you to have soft, healthy skin all winter long.
This is an often neglected tip that can help prevent dehydrated skin. Make it a goal to drink enough water each day. The common question is how much is enough? The old answer to that question used to be 8 glasses and I still think that’s a good suggestion. But a good way to gauge is that if your urine is dark, then you’re probably not drinking enough.
This one’s a bummer. I love a hot shower as much as the next girl, but it’s not good for our skin. It makes it much more prone to dryness. You don’t have to take a cold shower but dial back the heat to warm instead of hot. You’ll adjust to this after a few days, although you may still crave a hot shower now and then.
Your soap or body wash could be part of the reason your skin is dehydrated. Some soaps are harsh on your skin. Choose something gentle, such as Caress or Dove. Dove is one of the best because it’s made with moisturizing cream in it. Beware of body washes with a lot of fragrance since they don’t usually offer you much in the way of moisturizing.
Most of us are in the habit of grabbing our towel and rubbing ourselves dry. You’re in a hurry; you’ve got school, work or other places you’ve got to be. But rubbing yourself dry isn’t the best tactic. Try patting yourself dry instead. Yes, it feels weird at first but it’s easier on your skin.
The best time to apply lotion to your skin is when it’s damp. Keep your lotion on your bathroom counter so this becomes an easy habit to form. You reap more benefits by applying lotion right after showering than hours later. Another benefit is that it adds to your fresh, clean feeling and you smell wonderful afterward. A lotion I plan to try soon is Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant.
Some areas of your body may need some extra care. Your hands, feet, elbows, knees and ankles can all be problem areas that feel dry despite using lotion daily. They need something with stronger moisturizing ingredients. Aquaphor Healing Ointment, Mary Kay Extra Emollient Night Cream or O’Keefe’s Working Hands and Healthy Feet are all good choices. I have to tell you that O’Keefe’s seriously changed my life! My hands used to be a cracked, chapped mess all winter long and O’Keefe’s Working Hands fixed that.
Lastly, you want to protect your skin against the elements. That means not only wearing your coat but also a scarf and gloves when the temperatures dip low. Not only will you be warmer but your skin will be protected. There are so many fun options in scarves and gloves now that there’s something for everyone. Another good cold weather tip is to always wear some type of lip product on your lips to prevent chapping.
These are 7 tips to help you prevent dehydrated skin this fall and winter. How do you prevent dry skin issues? I’d love to hear your tips!