Dry skin can cause embarrassment and discomfort. Take action to protect your skin and get rid of dry skin by improving your beauty regimen. From exfoliation to moisturizing, there's plenty you can do to see immediate results, so you can get rid of dry skin!
It may seem like exfoliating your skin will actually lead to more dryness and, consequently, more irritation, but we're here to break down the skincare facts. Contrary to what you might think, exfoliating dry skin is essential to keeping it hydrated and healthy. Because those dead skin flakes have to go.
- Make your own scrub in simple steps:
- Simply mix equal parts sugar and olive oil to make a scrub. If you have access to unprocessed, unbleached, organic fine grain sugar, use it in your scrub as it will be less likely to irritate your skin. Raw sugars with large granules are likely to be too harsh for your skin. You can also use a prepared exfoliating product if you prefer. They come in two main forms: physical exfoliants, like a sugar and salt scrub, and chemical exfoliants, which use ingredients like glycolic, lactic, or citric acid to dissolve dead skin cells.
- Wet the area dry and wash your skin with a clean washcloth and clean your hands with warm water. The washcloth should be as soft as possible to prevent irritation; many dermatologists recommend using a gauze washcloth.
If your skin is sweaty or dirty, wash it with a gentle cleanser instead of water and a towel.
If you wear makeup and want to exfoliate your face, remove the makeup with cold cream after washing your face.
Use a headband or hair elastic to keep your hair out of your face if you are washing your face.
3. Apply the scrub. Once your skin is damp, apply the scrub with your fingers, rubbing it in a circular motion to exfoliate. For areas with less sensitive skin, you can exfoliate more vigorously, but pay close attention to how your skin feels and reacts to the exfoliation.
If your skin becomes irritated or begins to redden, stop exfoliating immediately and wait at least a week before exfoliating again. Also, if you notice your skin starting to crack, reduce exfoliation.
4. Apply moisturizer. Always moisturize your skin after exfoliating. Make sure to choose a moisturizer that's right for your skin type, whether dry, oily, or combination. Gently apply it with clean hands.
If you experience discomfort when you try exfoliating, tell your dermatologist. If you have a rash, blemish, or bump that doesn't go away, mention it during your appointment. Your dermatologist can also tell you if any moles seem bothersome.