6 Ways to Keep Your Skin Hydrated All Year

Buzzmopolitan Editorial Team
A bathroom shelf with a plain cream jar, a folded cotton towel and a small plant in soft morning light

Shorter showers, the right moisturizer and a few small changes to your routine, based on advice from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Keeping skin comfortable is a year-round job, not a winter one. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has a clear set of habits that help, and most of them cost nothing.

1. Keep Showers Short and Warm

The AAD says to limit baths and showers to five to ten minutes and to use warm water, with the bathroom door closed. Use a gentle cleanser, only where you need it, and skip thick lather.

2. Pat Dry, Do Not Rub

Dry off by patting your skin with a clean, dry towel instead of rubbing it.

3. Moisturize While Your Skin Is Damp

Apply moisturizer right after bathing, while the skin is still damp, and again after washing your hands and whenever your skin feels dry. The AAD recommends moisturizing several times a day and massaging it in.

4. Choose a Cream or Ointment, Fragrance-Free

The AAD prefers a fragrance-free cream or ointment to a lotion. Ingredients it lists to look for include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, petrolatum, shea butter and mineral oil. It says to choose products labelled “fragrance-free” rather than “unscented”, because unscented products may contain masking chemicals.

5. Add Moisture to the Air at Night

The AAD suggests running a portable humidifier in the bedroom overnight, and cleaning it regularly to prevent mold.

6. Dress and Protect Your Skin

  • Wear loose-fitting cotton, and avoid wool or polyester against dry skin.
  • Wear gloves for dishes, gardening and cold, dry weather.
  • Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.

If your skin stays dry despite these changes, the AAD recommends seeing a board-certified dermatologist, because dry skin can be a sign of a condition such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis.

This article is provided for general information purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and does not replace professional advice in an individual case.

Sources

, ,

Random Posts