Dry skin is the worst, and can’t be solved simply by drinking enough water (though this is a great first step) and occasionally applying some moisturiser. When it comes to getting a year-long healthy glow, setting up a routine and choosing the right lotion is key.
Want to know how to keep skin moisturised and looking and feeling healthy all year long? You’re in the right place.
What causes dry skin
First thing’s first – if you want to tackle dry skin, it’s important to know what causes it, so you can avoid anything that may cause further irritation:
- Products: If you want to ensure your skin is silky smooth and hydrated, avoid using harsh, drying soaps. Instead, opt for cleansing creams or gently skin cleansers to help lock in moisture, and make sure you pick a body lotion that works for you.
- Cold: You’ve probably noticed that your skin is more prone to dryness in the winter. This is because humidity levels are low – higher levels of humidity in summer help keep your skin from drying out. Keeping wrapped up, particularly the extremities such as your hands, will help protect them from the harsh elements.
- Hot showers or baths: Is there anything better than a long hot bath after a stressful day at work? Or a long shower sesh belting out all your favourite songs to get you in a good mood? Sadly, these could be the cause of dry skin. Long, hot showers and baths remove essential oils from your skin and create dryness. To help combat this, have warm, not hot, showers and baths, and limit the time you spend in them to five to ten minutes.
- Genetics: Sadly, it could be old mother nature that’s causing your dry skin. From age, to a family history of skin problems such as eczema, your DNA may be to blame for dry skin. Making sure you take steps to look after your skin, such as drinking enough water and regularly moisturising, will help keep that healthy glow.
How to moisturise dry skin
Now you know what causes dry skin, it will be easier to treat and prevent it. The key step in preventing dry skin and keeping skin looking and feeling healthy is keeping it moisturised – body lotions provide a seal over your skin to keep water from escaping, giving you that healthy glow. Just follow these steps for silky-smooth, healthy looking and feeling skin:
Step 1: Exfoliate
Exfoliating your skin washes away dead skin cells and allows a fresh layer of skin to emerge. Freshly exfoliated, your skin is now prepped for moisturiser.
Step 2: Timing
It’s always best to apply body lotion after a shower or a bath – the water strips your skin of moisture and so it’s best to replenish straight after. Using a towel, pat your skin dry – rubbing your skin dry can be abrasive and can cause irritation. Then apply your moisturiser.
Step 3: Moisturise
The key to achieving a healthy glow is finding the right lotion for your skin – richer moisturisers are better for particularly dry skin, or ageing skin, more gentle options are better for sensitive skin, and you can even get lotions with SPF to provide UV protection.
Step 4: Enjoy your gorgeous, glowing skin!
And you’re all set!
Now you know how to prevent and moisturise dry skin, you can enjoy smooth, silky, and, most importantly, healthy skin all-year round.
