5 Effective Ways to Moisturize Dry Skin

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Posted: 02 Sep 2015 05:45 AM PDT Many people struggle with dry, dehydrated skin, but there are several things you can do to alleviate this condition. Many people struggle with dry, dehydrated skin. It's bad enough that dry skin tends to be itchy and irritating, but also throw in the fact that it can make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable and that's all we need to hear to motivate us to do something about it. Dry skin is not an option. So what can we do? Related Articles: Jacquie Carter's 5 best skin care tips Does anything truly look better when it's dried out? I have been wracking my brain to find something…anything…so far no luck. We have a juicy plump grape and a wrinkled old raisin. No, doesn't work. We have beautiful fresh, colorful flowers and then dried out, faded crunchy flowers. That doesn't work either. So what about our skin? What can we do to keep our skin hydrated and glowing? While dry skin conditions are definitely more common in the colder climates, some of us suffer from dry skin year round. To moisturize dry skin it's important to lock in our body's natural moisture. Believe it or not, if our skin becomes extremely dry, it may develop little cracks. If severe enough, these cracks and splits in our skin can become an entry point for germs and bacteria. And this, unfortunately, can lead to illness and infection. So it's not just about our appearance. Keeping our skin hydrated is an important step in keeping our body free from harm. Here are a few effective ways to turn that dried out, wrinkly looking skin into something fresh and youthful looking. Choose the Right Cleansers Dry skin needs cleansers for the face and the body that contain ingredients known to provide that much needed moisture to the skin. Chances are the more gentle the cleanser, the less harsh on the skin. Look for facial cleansers that are formulated to target dry skin. They usually are richer, creamier and lotion like in texture. Look for ingredients like soothing Aloe vera, which is an excellent skin-hydrating ingredient. Avoid harsh bar soaps that contain strong detergents and deodorizers. Don't use these on your face and also be selective when it comes to using them on the body. Top Tip: Only cleanse using warm water. Water that is too hot can cause skin to become even dryer. And, limit your baths and showers to just a few minutes. The longer you bathe, the greater the chances of your skin drying out. Prolonged exposure to water, especially hot water, can strip the skin of its natural oils. So keep your bathing short and sweet. Use only warm water. Pat your skin dry, don't rub, as rubbing your skin with a towel can also remove oils. Apply your body and face moisturizers right after drying off while skin is still damp and most accepting to your moisturizers. It will help to seal in water as well as your body's natural oils Moisturize Your Skin from Head to Toe. Nothing says ahhhhhh to dry skin like a good application of moisturizer. For the face, consider adding a moisturizing serum containing antioxidant vitamins to your skin care regimen. Follow with your day lotion with SPF during the day and night cream of your choice in the evening. These products can help hydrate your skin and minimize the appearance of fine lines. For the body, slather on a good body lotion immediately after your shower. Focus on your elbows, knees and feet, as these areas really showcase skin dryness. Remember to apply, apply and reapply as necessary. Invest in a Humidifier In the wintertime humidifiers are a must for those of us with dry skin, but they are also good year round, too. A cool mist vaporizer will help your skin out tremendously. If you can get one that covers your entire living space, that's great. If not, get one for your bedroom to help your skin while you sleep. There are some tiny little humidifiers on the market that work with a simple bottle of water. Keep one on your desk during the day to really combat the effects of dry skin. Top Tip: If you don't have a humidifier, keep a pot of hot water on your stovetop to produce the same effect or fill a crockpot with hot water, leave the lid off and let it simmer all day long. Give Yourself a Good Scrub from Head to Toe A good exfoliation from your face to your toes can really help your skin retain moisture. Think about it. A good scrubbing helps to remove the dead and dying skin cells from the surface, revealing new healthy skin cells beneath. It's the newer cells closest to the surface that are the most moist. And when our skin is exfoliated, it allows your skin care products, especially serums and moisturizers, to absorb more quickly and effectively. So, to combat dry skin, scrub away! Hydrate From the Inside This is the most obvious tip of all. Stay hydrated by drinking good old H2O. Coffee, soda, and juice…they don't count. Drink water to stay hydrated from the inside out. If you don't believe that water can help our skin, think again. Ever see a droopy, lifeless plant? Give it some water and voila it gets a new life to it and looks younger as well. So drink up. When choosing skin care products to target your dry skin, look for ingredients like Aloe vera, soy, oatmeal, hyaluronic acids and essential fatty acids that can help seal in moisture. Look for shea butter, olive oil, almond, coconut and avocado oil. They are all amazing natural ingredients that can provide some wonderful benefits to the skin. It's really that simple and obvious. Little changes to your daily routine can definitely help alleviate the signs of dry skin. Keep your skin hydrated and protected 24/7. And remember, the healthiest skin is the most beautiful skin. Written by beauty expert, Jacquie Carter. Jacquie is Director of Outer Nutrition at Herbalife. Discover the HerbalifeSKIN line here. Find out more at: http://www.DiscoverHerbalife.com

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