Anyone can get dry
skin, but with these tips everyone can avoid it. We see it begin in the fall and by winter our
skin is dull, flaky, and itchy. The low
temperatures, absence of humidity, and harsh winds all play a role in causing
this unwanted dry skin. Here are some
tips to help your body keep moisture in.
1 - Take warm, but not hot showers. Yes, they feel great but they aren’t great
for your skin. Hot water robs your skin
of its moisture, so try taking a lukewarm shower only once a day. This rule also applies to washing your hands.
- The best time to moisturize is right after
showering. Try to apply your cream
within five minutes. It is better to use
a cream rather than a lotion because lotions are oil in water, whereas creams
are water in oil. Creams are thicker and
are often in a tube or jar, not a pump.
3 - Invest in a humidifier. The winter air is in
short supply of humidity, especially if your home has a fireplace. A room heated by a fireplace has less than 10%
moisture in the air.
4 - Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! I can’t say it enough. Moisturizers work much more effectively when
applied to exfoliated skin. For facial
exfoliation try Clarisonic’s Facial Cleansing Brush along with any glycolic acid face wash such
as Glytone’s Self-Foaming Acne Cleanser, which can be purchased at your next
visit. For hydrated, smooth skin try our
Avéne Emollient Cleansing Bath.
5 - Skip the drying soaps such as
anti-bacterial, bar soaps, and anything that lathers. Stick to creamy cleansers with moisturizing
ingredients like glycerin or petrolatum.
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash is great for the body and for the
face try Avéne’s Extremely Gentle Cleanser sold in our office. And don’t forget
your lips! Eucerin’s Aquaphor Healing
Ointment works wonders for dry, cracked lips.
