Dry skin often becomes worse in autumn, as it gets aggravated by the lack of moisture in the air. Dry skin can be uncomfortable, and people having such a condition have to take extra care of their skin in order to prevent excessive dryness and flaking of the skin. Here are a few simple tips with which you can deal with dry skin quite effectively making it supple and healthy.
Eat healthy and keep yourself hydrated
Diet and nutrition have a great role to play in keeping your skin soft and smooth. People having dry skin should make sure that their diet is well-balanced. Food that is rich in vegetable-based proteins along with plenty of raw foods helps in reducing dryness. Similarly, foods that have high sulfur – like eggs, garlic and onions- are also good for the skin. A lot of studies show that foods rich in vitamins A and C, like carrots and apricots, work very well for the skin. Another key factor for reducing skin dryness is water. Drinking plenty of water really helps in softening the skin and eliminating dryness. Avoid drinking a lot of caffeinated drinks. Keeping yourself hydrated all the time is extremely important, so ensure that you drink at least 8 glasses of water daily.
Adopt the ritual of exfoliation
If you find an annoying dry skin patch which is difficult to get rid of despite working on it with various moisturizers and creams, then you need something more. Exfoliation is a great way to get rid of dry skin patches very effectively and can be done quite simply at home, rather than spending money in a fancy salon. Dry skin patches are quite common place during the harsh winters and cannot be treated with simple moisturizer rubs and creams. Exfoliation is a great way to get rid of the stubborn dead skin cells that are accumulated on the dry skin patch. Exfoliate with a bit of good quality exfoliating cream and water and massage the dry patch in a circular motion. This is also a good way of improving the blood circulation in your skin. However, make sure you do not exfoliate by scrubbing vigorously, as you might end up grazing your skin and reddening it. The best way to do it would be to massage on the dry patch with a gentle rhythm and a light hand. After exfoliation, apply some moisturizer to your skin to seal the moisture trapped inside the skin. You could use various essential oils like almond oil in place of a moisturizer. Dry skin gives a lifeless look to the skin and exfoliation gets rid of the dead cells and reveals the fresher skin underneath. Apart from using natural exfoliating creams, do invest in some handy exfoliating tools as well such as soft scrubbing cloths, pumice stones, loofahs and natural sponges for removing dead skin from various body parts.
Avoid hot water baths
A hot water bath after a long and tiring day at work is certainly rejuvenating, but it is the worst thing to do if you have dry skin! Hot water tends to dry up the skin as natural oils are drained out in the process. Hence, avoid hot baths and use lukewarm water.
Soaps are another culprit when it comes to drying of skin. Replace harsh soaps with medicated or gentle cleansers that are specially formulated for dry skin. Steer clear of alkaline soaps that contain detergents or alcohol and opt for natural-pH products.
Try to control your environment
A dry and warm environment can give people with dry skin even more skin troubles! Hence, try to control your environment if you can by humidifying your home when the air is dry. During the winters, the heating reduces the moisture content in the air. It would be wise to add a humidifier to your central heating system so as to include more moisture in the air which would reduce the dryness in your skin. If investing in a central humidifying system is too expensive, then a portable humidifier is also quite effective and handy as they can be taken to any part of the home. Try to avoid spending too much time outdoors during the winters and the hot summers when there is no moisture in the air.
Moisturize your skin more often
The key to improving dry skin is simply to moisturize. A regular and generous application of moisturizer all over the body is extremely important for the skin from getting dry and flaky during the winters in particular. The first application of moisturizer should ideally be done immediately after a morning shower and the other at night. Be liberal in your application as the moisturizer should literally leave your skin damp. You could consult a dermatologist for the best lotion/moisturizer for dry skin. Even certain essential oils like almond or baby oil can also be used in place of moisturizer. Try using petroleum jelly on areas that are likely to have thick dry skin like on the feet, knees and elbows. Use creams and that are rich in vitamin E and essential oils as they nourish the skin and make it look healthy. Avoid heavily scented and alcohol-based moisturizers.
