Whisk Away Dry, Dead Skin With A Skin Care Routine Featuring A Gentle Exfoliator

A good facial skin care routine addresses a variety of conditions including dry skin. When skin loses oil or water, the result can be a dry and very itchy condition. People can develop dry skin at any time, but this condition is more common during winter because heated indoor air and cold outdoor air rob humidity from our skin. By removing dead skin with a gentle exfoliator and replacing lost moisture, people can get immediate relief from their dry skin.

Flaking, itching, cracking, scaling, and peeling are several indications that skin is too dry. After showering, bathing, or swimming, skin may feel tight and might appear rough or seem dehydrated. Some areas may look red and in the most severe cases, cracked skin may bleed, creating an open wound. Experts at the Mayo Clinic report that skin on the arms, lower legs, and sides of the abdomen tends to be driest. Age, humidity level, and exposure to wind and sun can cause varying dry skin conditions.

Bathing for shorter periods in water that is not hot helps skin retain natural oils. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that spending more than five or ten minutes in the shower or bathtub can dehydrate skin. Shaving with a shaving gel just after bathing can reduce dryness created during this process. Washing with a gentle cleanser or mild soap can also prevent skin from drying. When washing the face, choose a cleansing lotion or gel containing natural ingredients and designed for the skin type.

Daily use of bath oil or a hydration body lotion can reduce or prevent dry skin. These products should be applied immediately after bathing and reapplied as needed. Natural ingredients like avocado oil soothe and penetrate skin to provide moisture. Oils of the moluccana and macadamia ternifolia seeds moisturize and provide relief. Cactus stem extract offers deep hydration and protects skin from environmental stressors.

A skin exfoliator removes dry, dead skin to expose healthier skin that lies under this unattractive, scaly layer. Using a natural physical exfoliation product is the most recommended approach because it massages skin softly without the use of chemicals that can burn or scar. Natural exfoliators contain ingredients like fruit, flower, and vegetable seeds that buff the skin and emollient substances that provide hydration. The result is glowing skin free of flakes and dry patches.

Itchy skin requires special treatment including cold compresses and non-prescription creams or lotions containing cortisone. If itching is severe, a trip to the doctor for prescription medication may be required. The chronic skin condition eczema, characterized by itchy rashes that may scale, blister, or peel, can be particularly troublesome.

Bathing in warm water and regular use of a gentle exfoliator and moisturizing skin cream can prevent skin from becoming too dry. This simple practice can even reduce flare-ups of eczema and prevent dermatitis, an inflammation caused by extremely dry skin. Proper skin care practices can prevent the many unpleasant results of dry skin without the need to seek medical attention.