How to care for dry skin naturally?
Dry skin is a common condition that most people experience sooner or later. This happens especially often in winter, when the air becomes cold and dry. If your skin is dry and itchy, don’t worry! In most cases, dandruff can be treated at home with no special treatment required, just wash and protect the skin. If that doesn’t work, there are several natural remedies that can help keep your skin hydrated.
Dry skin while swimming
Limit shower or bath time to 5-10 minutes. While bathing is important, it also removes oil from the skin and dries it out. Avoid this by limiting your shower or bath to 5-10 minutes to keep oil on your skin.
Try using a shower timer that turns off after 10 minutes. That way you don’t lose track of time.
As an added bonus, limiting shower time also saves water and reduces your bills. If you take a 1-minute break in the shower, you will save about 9.5 liters of water.
Naturally dry skin
Hydrate your entire body with a bath with colloidal oatmeal. Take a shower, and when the water is full, toss 1-2 oatmeal into the tap. Then leave it on for 10 minutes to soften the skin.
Colloidal means that the oatmeal is ground into a fine powder. You can find it at most drugstores or online.
If you can’t find colloidal oats, you can make your own by grinding the oats in a food processor.
Take a bath with lukewarm water, not too hot.
Hot water is irritating and can dry out rough skin. Check your tub or shower water to make sure it’s warm and not hot. Adjust the temperature as needed to prevent the water from overheating in the shower.
If you can’t save yourself from a very hot shower, be careful to limit your shower time. Exit after 5 minutes.
Clean with an unscented cleaner.
Harsh soaps are the main culprit for dry skin. Avoid irritation with a mild, fragrance-free body wash. Also rinse the soap thoroughly, as soap lather can also irritate the skin.
Body washes designed for sensitive skin should be hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. Even if your skin is not sensitive, these products are great at preventing dry spots.
Avoid cleaners that contain alcohol, retinoids, and alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). All of these can dry out the skin.
Using too much soap, even if it’s suitable for sensitive skin, can still cause irritation. Use enough soap to lather slightly, but not so much that you get covered in thick lather.
Do not use rough sponges or towels.
These products can peel off the top layer of the skin, causing irritation and dryness. Hand wash as often as possible. If you need something different, a soft towel is best.
If you are using a sponge or towel, touch lightly. Gently rub the skin, do not press.
Pat skin dry to avoid irritation.
Do not pat dry your skin after taking a shower. Instead, grab a towel and pat your skin dry.
Use a soft towel if possible. Hard towels can cause irritation, even if you just wipe your skin with a hard towel.
