Lotion Dreams

As the winter months draw ever closer, we’re reunited with that old enemy: dry skin. Here are some tried and true methods to ward off that old evil:

• Shorten bath and shower times; long periods in hot, steamy water can actually dry your skin out further
• Take cooler showers and baths
• Only use mild cleansers – harsh ones are too drying
• Exfoliate as needed, but don’t overdo it
• Pat yourself dry with a towel instead of rubbing
• Apply moisturizer and other dry skin care products immediately after showering to lock in that moisture
• Give extra attention to your lower legs; because they’re further away from the heart, they tend to dry out quicker
• Don’t scratch the dry, itchy spots; instead, apply more moisturizer
• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air

We all want dewy, radiant skin, but it doesn’t just happen. One of the best methods to refresh the skin is to exfoliate.

Exfoliating sloughs the upper layers of dead skin off the face, revealing bright, new skin. The average person generates a new layer of skin every two to four weeks, and if the dead skin isn’t removed, it can clog the pores and lead to acne, skin discolorations and blackheads.

One of the best methods is to use an exfoliation creme to scrub away the dead skin. Most creams have pieces of grit in them, such as walnut shells or apricots. Wet the face with warm water, gently scrub in circular motions, and rinse away to see beautiful skin. A word of caution though – don’t overdo it. Exfoliating too much can leave the skin red and flaky. The recommended number of times is twice per week, but if you have oily skin, you can exfoliate more often. If you have dry skin, it should be less often.