- Forget soap
If your skin shows signs of aging, most soaps are simply too drying out for older skin.
- Choose a moisturizing body gel for the shower and a moisturizing cleanser for face washing at the sink.
- Take a warm bath
Add 10 drops of chamomile oil to the bathwater, then soak for 10 minutes.
- Other bath additives for skin itching may contain oats, geranium, hyssop, peppermint and essential oils of myrrh (use 10 drops of a kind).
- Do not forget to coat yourself with moisturizer after and make sure the water is warm and not hot. Hot water tends to dry out the skin.
- Avoid cigarette smoke
Passive smoke is almost as damaging to your skin as cigarettes that you can smoke yourself.
- Go to non-smoking bars and restaurants.
- Fortunately, it’s becoming easier to avoid them as more and more cities and even countries forbid smoking inside.
- Moisten the air
It makes sense that dry air is bad for dry skin, and the air in your home is drier in winter. Then moisten the air and your skin with a humidifier.
- You can have a humidifier installed as part of your heating system or use portable humidifiers.
- Another way to put more moisture into the air in winter is to spread the laundry to dry in the house. A final cycle in the dryer helps to remove any stiffness and wrinkles.
- Take your vitamins
Dosed at 400 IU or more (check the dosage with your physician), vitamin E may help reduce inflammation and relieve itching.
- A study of 96 patients showed significant improvement or complete remission of atopic dermatitis in 62% of those taking the vitamin.
- Take 500 milligrams of vitamin C per day.
- Both vitamin E and vitamin C are powerful antioxidants that can protect the skin against oxidative damage.
- Exfoliate
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin to reveal a “younger” and fresher skin. It helps to get rid of the dull appearance that aging can bring, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and remove any granular texture from dry skin.
- Make an exfoliation at least once a week.
- Typically, you use a liquid exfoliate to do this work. But if these are too hard for your skin, try a cleanser with alpha-hydroxyl acids (acids), acids that act as natural exfoliants.
- If you are using AHA products, look for over-the-counter products with glycolic acid, which seems to penetrate the skin better.
- Wear gloves
Not just for heat, but to protect your skin. Use rubber gloves to wash dishes, clean and handle household cleaners.
- Even better, move on to softer and “green” cleansers that are not made with chemicals or use natural ingredients like vinegar for cleaning. But keep wearing gloves!
- Coat with moisturizer
Forget fancy costly treatments! Just find a moisturizer from pharmacies specially formulated for dry skin.
- Try one that contains SPF 15 Sunscreen to be able to tackle two problems with an emollient.
- Moisturize at least twice a day – when you step out of the shower until your skin is completely dry (the moisturizer will form a film on your skin, trapping moisture), and again before going to bed after Clean your face with a moisturizing cleanser.
Relieving your dry or irritated skin can be easier than you think! Try these simple techniques and indulge in regular skin care for best results.
