9 Most Important Tips You Must Follow For Dry & Itchy Skin!

Are you suffering from dry, stretched, itchy or flaky skin? Remember dry skin look older than oily skin, as they show fine lines and wrinkles faster. They also flake, crack and bleed easily. Read on for 9 super easy steps recommended by dermatologists to soothe dry skin

Prevent hot baths and showers which dehydrate skin further. Do these instead for dry skin

1. Use warm water
2. Don’t shower for more than 5 minutes
3. Wash with a gentle and fragrance-free soap
4. Don’t apply too much soap so that it whips up a thick lather
5. Don’t rub your skin dry with a towel

Post bath routine:

1. Slather on a rich moisturiser after drying your skin: Moisturisers trap extra moisture in your skin so the right time to use them is immediately after drying yourself with a towel. It’s better to use ointments and creams as these are more effective than lotions. Creams with olive and jojoba oil, shea butter, lactic acid, urea, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, glycerin, lanolin, mineral oil, and petrolatum jelly all are good. If the skin on your hand is extra dry and feels stretched then it’s a good idea to carry a non-greasy hand cream with you. Apply it to each washing hands immediately to relieve dry skin.
2. Use only unscented skin care products: Shun harsh skin products which strip natural oils from skin like-
   • Deodorant soaps
   • Skin care products that contain fragrances, alcohol, retinoids, or alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA)
3. Wear gloves when washing utensils: This will prevent dry skin on hands. All you have to do is wear latex gloves before you start washing clothes and utensils.
4. Choose laundry detergent with care: Laundry detergents should be chosen with care as they can irritate skin. Go for detergents labelled “hypoallergenic”.
5. Avoid toasting yourself by the fireplace or other heat sources in winters: Remember heat is drying. So limit your time in front of a hot stove or fireplace.
6. Use humidifiers to add moisture to indoor air: Use of humidifier will help prevent excessive drying of skin.
7. Use milk on skin: Milk is packed with anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can fight dry and itchy skin. The lactic acid in milk also exfoliates dead skin cells and increases the capacity of your skin to retain moisture.
8. Honey: Honey is one of the best natural moisturisers. It comes loaded with antioxidants and antimicrobials.
9. Yogurt: Yogurt is a skin-hydrating agent par excellence. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties also help soothe dry and itchy skin.

If these things don’t work in alleviating skin dryness, you may require a prescription cream, so see a dermatologist.