Dry skin can make you feel uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are easy and inexpensive ways to keep your skin supple and smooth year-round. With a few simple lifestyle changes, you’ll be on your way to softer and healthier skin.
Develop These Easy, Healthy Habits for Your Skin:
- Avoid scratching. Moisturizers and cold packs will soothe itchy skin better. You’ll also lower your risk of infection.
- Use fragrance-free laundry products. Look for alternatives to commercial fabric softeners that contain chemicals that are toxic to your skin and the environment.
- Your clothes will come out softer if you remove them from the dryer while they’re still slightly damp or add some vinegar in the wash cycle.
- Avoid fabrics that irritate your skin. You may be sensitive to wool or certain synthetics. Shop for clothing you can wear comfortably.
- Get a humidifier. Combat dry air with a humidifier. You can get a portable model or one that attaches to your furnace. Just keep it clean to protect yourself from bacteria.
- Turn down the heat. Central heating, fireplaces, and space heaters all reduce humidity. Try turning down the thermostat and dressing more warmly.
- Protect your skin from too much sun exposure. Although sunshine is an important source of Vitamin D and helps strengthen your immune system, natural heat also dries the skin. Usually, 15 minutes of sun each day is enough to soak up a good store of Vitamin D.
- Skin gets dryer as you age, but you can slow down those effects by using a full-spectrum sunscreen when you’re not replenishing your Vitamin D.
- Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These essential acids have many benefits, including keeping your skin healthy. Indulge in fish, nuts, and olive oil.
- Engage in regular exercise. An active lifestyle is good for your skin as well as your overall well-being. Aerobic activities and drinking plenty of water will improve your circulation and complexion.
- See a doctor. If home remedies fail to work or you have sores that could get infected, get a physical examination. Your doctor can check for underlying conditions or refer you to a dermatologist for specialized treatments.
Get rid of dry skin by changing how you wash and adopting a healthy lifestyle. You’ll love your new complexion and feel smooth all over.
