How to Get Rid of Dry Skin

It's the most wonderful time of the year... for my skin to crack, flake, and itch. Winter weather brings wonderful holiday cheer, but it also makes my dry skineven drier. And not just the skin on my face either! The skin on the rest of my body gets dry to the point that it itches non-stop.

If you are constantly asking yourself "why is my skin so dry?" and you want to know how to fix it, here are the things I do to keep my skin healthy and moisturized year round:

Keep the INSIDE of your Body Moisturized

The first step for getting rid of dry skin is to make sure your body is helping out. This means, eating lots of healthy fats (like walnuts, avocados, salmon) or taking supplements like fish oil (this is great for dry skin and eyes) or vitamin E. Keeping the inside of your body moisturized so your skin doesn't get too dry also means cutting back on salty and fried foods, not smoking, and limiting your intake of alcohol. Make sure you drink plenty of water every day so you don't get dehydrated and eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Keep the OUTSIDE of your Skin Moisturized

The second step for getting rid of dry skin is for you to help out. Sometimes your body can't do it all, so you'll have to turn to topical products and outside methods to soothe your skin. Here are some things you can to do to make dry skin go away fast:

1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize - Well, duh, if your skin is dry, of course that means you should moisturize! But the key is to moisturize consistentlyand smartly. Consistently means you aren't lazy about it. Don't wait until your skin starts to get dry before you put on some lotion. If you moisturize even when your skin isn't dry, you can prevent it from getting dry in the first place. So, turn it into a habit. Put a bottle of lotion or facial moisturizer by your bed to remind yourself to do it before you sleep. Or make sure you always moisturize after you get out of the shower. Moisturizing smartlymeans you use a moisturizer that actually works. Get a rich moisturizer (oatmeal, shea butter, cocoa butter, glycerin, urea, and petrolatum are all helpful ingredients for dry skin) and make sure you use it. The best moisturizer won't do your dry skin any good if it's sitting in the bottle and not on your skin.
   
2. Moisturize when your skin is damp - When you moisturize your skin while it's still a little damp, this helps the moisturizer seal in more hydration. So for your face, instead of drying it off completely, pat it dry with a towel before applying your face cream. For your body, do the same thing. Pat your skin dry so you're not dripping wet and then put on some unscented baby oil or lotion. Let your skin dry naturally to absorb all the moisture and follow up with a second layer of moisturizer if your skin is particularly dry. 
   
3. Change your products - When your skin starts to feel parched, change your moisturizer into one that's a bit richer. If your skin is combination, you might have to use a lighter moisturizer on the parts that get oily (T-zone, forehead, nose) and a heavier one on the parts that get dry (cheeks). You also want to make sure your cleanser, soap, and/or body wash is not drying out and over-stripping your skin. For example, you may have to switch to a more moisturizing face wash in the winter to prevent the product from rinsing away too much of your skin's natural moisture. 
   
4. Don't wash with water that's too hot - Avoid steaming your skin and washing with water that is hot. Use warm or lukewarm water so any hydration isn't stripped from your skin. Water that's too hot tends to wash away your skin's protective lipid barrier. For the same reason, avoid taking long showers or baths. 
   
5. Avoid excessive bathing - Do not shower or wash your face too much. Some people say to avoid taking baths too, but short baths in an oatmeal solution aren't that bad for your skin. Just make sure you don't over wash your skin and dry it out from all the washing. If you have to wash your hands a lot, it might help to apply a thin layer of Vaseline to your skin beforewashing so not too much of your skin's natural oils are stripped away. 
   
6. Relieve itchy skin - When your skin is dry, it can also get itchy. Moisturizing regularly can relieve any dry-skin related itchiness, but for really itchy skin, hydrocortisone cream or Gold Bond anti-itch lotions can offer immediate relief.
   
7. Limit or reduce treatment products for your skin - A lot of times, dry skin is a side effect from using certain treatment, like ones for acne andwrinkles. If you are trying to clear your skin or fight off aging, this doesn't mean you have to stop using those treatments completely. It simply means to use them less frequently because active ingredients can exacerbate dry skin, especially in the winter. 
   
8. Don't over-exfoliate - Exfoliating can help slough off any dry and dead skin cells, but don't over do it. The idea is to help your skin renew itself, not to rub off your skin's protective layer. Because of this, it's best to avoid facial and body scrubs because the ingredients in the product can be too stripping. Instead, use a loofah, exfoliating gloves, or dry skin brush to gently exfoliate your skin. Exfoliating gently is also important if you tend to itch from dry skin because over-exfoliation can make the itching worse. After you exfoliate, make sure you moisturize. Tip: If you have dry skin flakes on your face, try massaging them with an oil. This will remove the dry flakes that are ready to come off and well as re-hydrate some of them. 
   
9. Keep moisturizer nearby - If you're lazy like me, keep a small bottle of moisturizer near you at all times. Put it in your purse, leave one at work, or take some to school with you. When moisturizer is convenient and within reach, chances are, you will use it more often. Travel-sized moisturizers are easy to use, but I usually wash out containers from free beauty samples you get at the store and put in some of my favorite moisturizers. Again, dry skin only goes away if you moisturize consistently! 
   
10. Vaseline, Vaseline, Vaseline - Vaseline is an oft-over looked warrior when it comes to battling dry skin. Yes, it's gunky, sticky, and thick. But that's exactly what makes it amazing for people with dry skin woes. Vaseline is very emollient and actually forms a formidable barrier on your skin toprevent moisture from evaporating from the surface of your skin. The best way to use Vaseline is to first dampen your skin, put on a layer of moisturizer, and seal everything in with a thin layer of Vaseline. This is probably done best right before you go to bed so you don't it doesn't feel too heavy.