As the weather gets colder and we start using indoor heating
systems, we may start to notice our skin getting itchy and dry. Heating systems
provide very dry air which can lead to dryness, and, in some cases, even
cracked skin. Yikes!
Below are some simple steps that can help to relieve dry and
itchy skin and leave you with more moisturized and glowing skin:
1.
Limit baths and showers to only 5-6 minutes and
only once a day. Make sure the water is not too hot. I know this may be
difficult for some, but long periods under hot water will wreak havoc on our
skin. It’s worth the sacrifice.
2.
Use a MILD soap or cleanser for your skin
instead of a deodorant soap. Gentle body cleansers that work pretty well for me
that you may want to try: Dove Beauty Bar (like Unscented or the Nourishing
Care Shea Butter Body Bar) or Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash.
3.
MOISTURIZE! I cannot say this enough. Do this
within the first few minutes of getting out of the bath or shower when skin is
still damp to lock in moisture. PAT skin dry and then apply a light oil or body
cream all over. Some of my faves: The Body Shop body butter;
Vaseline Intensive Care Body Oil Gel; or my homemade whipped shea butter (60%
raw shea butter, 20% coconut oil, 10% jojoba oil; 10% castor oil).
4.
Consider a humidifier to add moisture into the
air in your home. This will make the air less dry and alleviate some dry skin
issues.
5.
Protect your skin from the cold air when outside
– where gloves, scarves, etc.
Last,
but not least, another tip is to EXFOLIATE. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells
and allows products like moisturizers to penetrate the skin better, allowing
you to get the most benefit from the product. It is best to exfoliate 1-2xs per
week. You can do this using a body brush on dry skin, using an exfoliating
glove while in the shower or bath, or you can use a body scrub. There are tons
of exfoliating products out there from places like your local CVS or Walgreens,
to supermarkets, to department stores. Or, you can make your own with
ingredients from your kitchen (olive oil and brown sugar mixture is a great
one!) Don’t overdo it – once or twice a week is perfect. You will notice a
difference in the texture and overall health of your skin.
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