Get Soft Skin in 20 Minutes

Sometimes, you just need beautiful skin quickly. To make your dry skin softer, you just need enough time to exfoliate and moisturize. That means that you basically just need enough time to take shower, which you can easily do in 20 minutes.

Steps

Exfoliating Your Skin

  1. Pinpoint your driest patches. Focus on the areas that need the most work. In good light, look for patches of skin that look scaly or extra dry.[1]
  2. Try a physical exfoliant. Physical exfoliants buff away dry skin through mechanical means. For instance, pumice stones and foot files are physical exfoliants. For parts of your skin that aren't as rough, body scrubs that have sand or grit in them also work well.[2]
    • In addition, something as simple as a washcloth can work as a gentle exfoliant.[2]
    • For body scrubs, rub them on your wet skin. Move your hand in a circular motion to scrub it in, concentrating on problem areas. Rinse off the scrub when you're done.[3]
    • For foot files and pumice stones, use them in the shower or directly after the shower to gently scrub down your rough heels or elbows.[1]
  3. Use a chemical exfoliant. Another type of exfoliant is a chemical exfoliant. They use chemicals to break away dead skin; they can also melt away the dead skin itself. Generally, these involve acids.[2]
    • For dry skin, trying using products with AHAs, such lactic acid or glycolic acid. For oily skin, use ones with BHA or salicylic acid.[2]
    • When your skin is wet, use small circles to apply the exfoliant. If your skin is extra dry, try applying it with a loofah or a washcloth.[1]
    • Concentrate on problem areas. Use smaller circles in problem areas to make sure you get the exfoliant scrubbed in well.[1]
    • Rinse off the exfoliant.[1]
  4. Keep your shower short. The longer you're in warm water, the more chance your skin has to dry out. Water takes off your skin's natural layer of oils, so don't shower more than 5 to 10 minutes a day.[4]

Moisturizing Your Skin

  1. Moisturize after your shower or bath. As soon as you get out of the shower, apply a lotion or cream. You may need to use more than one type; a non-oil based one for most of your body and an oil-based one for problem areas like your feet and elbows. Applying it right after you shower traps moisture next to your skin, helping it sink in.[5]
    • Also, you may want a separate facial lotion, as well, that isn't oil-based.[1]
  2. Mix up your routine. With lots of new ingredients on the market, you may find that a new moisturizer works better for you than your old one. For instance, matrixyl, ceramide, and coffee berry extracts can help moisturize skin, and creams and lotions with vitamin C can help moisturize and exfoliate, as do ones with vitamin A.[6]
  3. Don't use products with ethyl alcohol. This type of alcohol can dry your skin out, so look at the ingredients before buying. However, other types of alcohol, such as as cetearyl, cetyl, lanolin, and stearyl alcohols (which are actually fatty acids), are fine for your skin.[7]

Using Home Remedies

  1. Try olive oil. Some people have luck with putting olive oil on their skin about 30 minutes before they hop in the shower. Shower as you normally would. After you shower, apply a thin layer of olive oil under your moisturizer.
    • You can also use olive oil to create your own physical exfoliant. Mix one part of olive oil to one part of brown sugar. Scrub it in as you would other exfoliants, by going in circles all over your body. Jump in the shower to rinse it off.
  2. Use honey. In a pan, melt one part beeswax. Mix it together with equal parts of olive oil and unprocessed honey. Once it's cool, rub it on your skin. After about 10 minutes, take a shower to rinse it off.
  3. Apply coconut oil in place of a moisturizer. After you get out of a shower, try using a thin layer of coconut oil. Rub it in as you would lotion. Continue to massage until it disappears.

Taking Care of Your Skin Every Day

  1. Always wash your face at night. Before going to bed, make sure to remove your makeup. You can use a cleansing cloth if you're really desperate to get to bed. However, it's best to wash your face if at all possible to help remove grease and grime. It also helps prevent acne, so that your face will stay smoother.[8]
    • Use a cleanser instead of soap, as it is less drying. Look for one that doesn't have sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), as that can also dry out your skin.[9]
  2. Avoid water that's too hot. Stick to lukewarm showers and baths for softer skin over time. Hot water can dry out skin, leaving it rough and leathery.[10]
  3. Eat your omega-3 fatty acids. Foods rich in these fats can help moisturize your skin, making it softer. Try introducing fish such as salmon, herring, and tilapia to your diet.[11] If fish isn't your thing, try walnuts, grass-fed beef, flaxseed oil, edamame, or enriched eggs.[12]
  4. Stay hydrated. How hydrated you are affects your skin, so keep on top of your water intake. Try adding fruit slices to your water to help increase your intake.[11]
    • By some calculations, men should be getting 13 cups of water a day, and women should be getting 9 cups.[13]



Warnings

  • Always test exfoliants, especially chemical exfoliants, on a small patch of skin before using them on your whole body.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/12/exfoliate-face-how-to_n_2528493.html
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 http://beautifulwithbrains.com/2011/09/27/whats-the-difference-between-chemical-and-physical-exfoliants/
  3. ↑ http://womanitely.com/proven-ways-exfoliate-your-skin-properly/
  4. ↑ http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/9-ways-to-banish-dry-skin
  5. ↑ http://news.health.com/2012/10/17/how-to-apply-moisturizer/
  6. ↑ http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-looks/skin/6-tips-for-softer-skin?slide=3#TJsxpFc915hi565o.97
  7. ↑ http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/dry-skin-relief/ways-to-moisturize-dry-skin.aspx
  8. ↑ http://www.brides.com/blogs/aisle-say/2014/04/overnight-skin-care-wedding-tips.html
  9. ↑ http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-looks/skin/6-tips-for-softer-skin?slide=2#EDEJ4W5kty83iTDh.97
  10. ↑ http://www.caretricks.com/skincare/how-to-get-baby-soft-skin/
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-looks/skin/6-tips-for-softer-skin?slide=4#AyZqyvhZyJdFmMoD.97
  12. ↑ http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/omega-3-foods
  13. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
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