6 Tips to Ease Dry Skin

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This article is from the WebMD Feature Archive

Give your dry skin the moisture it craves.
By Wendy C. Fries
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Debra Jaliman, MD
Flaky, itchy, dry skin can plague you all year, and it’s often worse in winter. But whenever it happens, you only want relief, and you want it fast.
[h=3]Warm Up to Warm Showers[/h] As soothing as a sizzling steamy shower feels, that hot water isn’t doing your dry skin any good, says dermatologist Andrea Lynn Cambio, MD, FAAD.
The problem? Hot showers strip your body of its natural oil barrier, the same barrier that helps trap moisture and keep skin smooth and moist.
Skin care experts recommend short, warm showers or baths that last no longer than 5 to 10 minutes. Give your skin a gentle pat dry instead of a brisk rub when you dry off. Immediately moisturize your body.
[h=3]Grab a Gentle Cleanser[/h] Wash with a soapless cleanser when you shower. Cambio says gentle soaps that are free of fragrance are a great option. Products with deodorant or antibacterial additives can be harsh on skin.
Dermatologist Carolyn Jacob, MD, says you might also consider a cleanser that contains ceramides. Ceramides, fatty molecules that make up the outer barrier of your skin, help skin hold in moisture. Some skin care products contain synthetic ceramides to replace those we lose with age.
Go easy on toners, peels, and other astringents that contain alcohol, which can further dry out troubled skin. If you crave the fresh feel you get after an exfoliation, be careful of too much scrubbing, Jacob says. It can irritate and thicken skin.
[h=3]Use That Razor Right[/h] Shaving can irritate dry skin. After all, you're essentially scraping off natural oils as you shave unwanted hair. The best time to shave is after you shower, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Hairs are softer and more pliable after bathing, and your pores are open, making shaving easier.
Always use a shaving cream or gel, and shave in the direction the hair is growing to protect your skin. A dull razor blade can cause additional irritation. If you are using a blade that has already been used, soak it in rubbing alcohol to clean it from bacteria. Don’t forget to change your razor blades often.
[h=3]Dress Right for All Seasons[/h] Sun damage is one of the main causes behind dry skin, wrinkles, and roughness. You can help prevent that damage by wearing a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen year-round and dressing right.
In cool weather, Cambio says, be sure to "dress in layers to prevent overheating and perspiring excessively; both can irritate the skin."
Don't leave your kisser out in the cold. To prevent dry, chapped lips in winter, use a lip balm with SPF 15 sunscreen, and cover your lips with a scarf or a hat with a mask.
In summer, wear light, loose, long-sleeved shirts when out in the sun, and wear a 2-inch wide-brimmed hat to shade your neck, ears, and eyes.