Moisturize Your Body
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so treat it as well as you would any other organ.
Steps
- Take short showers. Limit your showers or baths to between 5 and 10 minutes, and use water that’s just warm, not hot. Staying in hot water, although it may feel luxurious, actually strips your skin’s natural oils.
- Use moisturizing cleanser. Use a moisturizing cleanser or one formulated for dry skin when you bathe. Regular soaps can be too harsh and will dehydrate skin.
- Pat dry. Don’t dry off completely after bathing. Blot yourself gently with a towel rather than rubbing so your skin is still damp.
- Apply moisturizer. Apply a moisturizer to your whole body immediately after bathing and before your skin has completely dried. This helps lock the water into your skin.
- Raise the humidity. A humidifier or even a shallow pan of water near a heat source will help banish dry, dehydrating air, especially during the winter.
Tips
- For really dry skin, try moisturizing with Vaseline and wear soft cotton socks, pajamas, and even gloves to bed. This will help retain the product so it softens your skin while you sleep.
- If you are using a topical prescription cream, always apply it between cleansing and moisturizing.
- When taking a bath, try adding two cups of whole milk to the water at the beginning of the bath to provide a little extra moisture for dry skin or add a tablespoon of coconut oil (supermarkets have it in the cooking oil aisle) for an all natural full body and hair treatment. WARNING: Always be extra careful exiting the bathtub, especially if you added oil to it. It only takes a second to slip and fall.
- If you have a special event, or just want to smell good, feel free to use scented moisturizer. However, don't rely on them. Get a good named brand moisturizer and follow with the scented one after .
Things You'll Need
- A gentle cleanser
- A moisturizer
- Humid air
- Whole milk or oil
- Soft cotton pajamas, socks, and gloves