Simple Ways to Treat and Heal Dry Skin

Do you have dry skin? When I lived in Minnesota, it seemed like I was always moisturizing my face, arms, legs . . . well pretty much everything! In the winter, especially, my hands would get so dry that it became painful to do simple everyday things like wash the dishes or take a hot shower. So what makes your skin dry? And what can you do to prevent it from becoming tight, itchy and painful? To keep your skin healthy and supple all year long, try these tips.

Exposure to the sun, combined with cold, less humid air, can dehydrate your skin, causing it to become tighter, drier, and itchy or look flaky and dull. When your skin gets severely dry, it can even crack and bleed.

To keep your skin healthy and supple all year long, try these tips:

Drink lots of liquids. Water inside your body hydrates your skin from the inside out, so be sure to drink at least six eight-ounce glasses a day. Fruit juices are another safe bet. On the flip side, avoid alcohol, which has the opposite effect and dries out the skin.

Eat Omega-3 rich foods. The essential fatty acids found in salmon, nuts, soybeans, and other food sources also help the skin stay hydrated by aiding in the retention of moisture.

Avoid drying soaps. Deodorant and antibacterial soaps can dry out the skin even further. Instead, look for moisturizing formulas or soaps containing mild ingredients that are ideal for sensitive skin.

Choose rich lotions. The thicker, the better, so opt for crème or oil-based formulas that lock in moisture and serve as a barrier to harsh weather elements. Lotions with fragrance can also be more drying, so choose fragrance-free products.

Take short, lukewarm showers. A hot shower may feel good first thing in the morning, but the heat strips the skin of its natural oils, leaving it more vulnerable to dry air. Keep showers and baths to a ten-minute maximum and the temperature as cool as you can comfortably manage.

Turn on a humidifier. Heating and air conditioning your home can increase the amount of dry air in your living quarters, so invest in a humidifier to add moisture back into the air. Keep one in your bedroom at night so your skin can heal itself while you sleep.

If you fail to successfully keep your skin moisturized by trying these techniques, make an appointment with your doctor or a dermatologist to determine if the dryness is being caused by an underlying medical condition.