Dry skin can be very annoying sometimes.

Everyone wants a soft, supple and tender skin instead. However, keeping your skin moisturized, no matter how dry it naturally is, is not as hard as you think.

When you have dry skin, scales will begin to fall off your skin, your skin will itch a lot and you will notice your skin cracking. This could be caused by different factors, which include age, genetics and health defects.

It can also be caused by the skin’s exposure to heat from the sun, cold temperature, low humidity, harsh soaps and detergents.

However, there are various ways in which you can keep your skin moisturized. Here are some tips that will help:

1. Use moisturizers

Moisturisers are very important for dry skin.

The main reason your skin is dry is because it lacks moisture. With the help of moisturizers, your skin is able to absorb water molecules and keep them trapped in within the layers of your skin.

Though it is important to use moisturizers, it is much more important to use the right moisturizer for your skin type. Just because a moisturizer works for your friend doesn’t mean it would work for you.

Also, when trying out a new moisturizer, try it first on a patch of your skin. Do not rub on the whole body at first. Do this for a week and watch out for allergies or irritation.

When you are sure the moisturizer is suitable for your skin, you can then apply fully.

Remember to apply moisturizer on your skin when it is still damp and not when it is dry.

So, immediately you get out of the bathroom, moisturize. This helps your skin to absorb moisture easily and seal it in for a longer period of time.

Moisturize your skin twice in a day; at morning and at night, to ensure that the skin gets all the moisture it needs.

2. Do not take long baths

After a long day at work, it might be tempting to take a long soak. But before you yield to that temptation, remember that it is bad for your skin. Although your skin needs moisture, too much water dries out the skin.

Keep your baths short. You should be in and out of the shower within 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Never use hot water to bathe

Nothing dries out your skin faster than hot water, so do not shower with it. An already dry skin doesn’t need what would make it drier. Instead of hot water, use lukewarm water.

4. Avoid using harsh substances on your skin

Though it is necessary to scrub your body clean, bath sponges are not the answer. In fact, the idea is not to scrub anything against your skin. If you must use sponges, use soft ones. Even when you use soft sponges, avoid using them every day.

Also, when you want to towel after taking your bath, dab the towel on your skin and do not rub it against your skin.

5. Never, ever scratch!

This might be hard to do since dry skins are naturally itchy. However, it is important that you do not scratch your skin. Scratching it may lead to sores on your skin. Scratching also encourages scaling. Simply put, scratching worsens things.

6. Watch out for irritations

Stay away from anything that would irritate your skin. Ensure that you use mild soaps. Stay away from detergents or fabric softeners. They contain chemicals that might cause skin irritation.

Also stay away from scented products. Fragrance is a major cause of skin irritation.

7. Drink enough water

Since your skin needs moisture, the trick is to stay hydrated at all times. This moisturizes the skin from the inside out. Ensure that you drink up to 8 glasses of water daily.

Natural Moisturizers

Apart from these lifestyle tips, do you know that you can create your own moisturizer from natural products? Here are some natural moisturizers you can try out:

1. Honey

Honey makes your skin soft and tender; it is a great natural moisturizer.

It performs the function of a humectant, serving as a protective barrier for your skin and locking in moisture within the skin.

All you have to do is apply it on your skin. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then, rinse off with lukewarm water. Ensure that you do this three times in a week.

2. Shea butter

Shea butter is an amazing natural moisturizer. In fact, it can be used as body cream. It traps in moisture within your skin and makes your skin soft. It does not only make your skin moist, it heals up wounds and sores on your skin.

Scoop a little in your hands and rub it in until it melts. Then apply on your skin. Be sure to massage it in gently. You do not have to wash off. Do this twice daily.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera gel is also a good natural moisturizer.

It contains antioxidants that rejuvenate the skin and is rich in nutrients and vitamins. Also, it contains anti-inflammatory properties which help to control itching.

Get an Aloe Vera leaf, cut in half and scoop out the gel. Apply the desired quantity on your skin. Allow to dry for 15 minutes and then rinse off with lukewarm water.

Conclusion

No matter what you do, always remember that the number one antidote to dry skin is moisture.

Whether you decide to get a moisturizer from the store or you decide to use any of the natural moisturizers, make sure to always apply it regularly.

Do this and your skin is bound to stay moisturized and fresh all day.