"Having dry skin is great!" . . . said no one ever. From mildly flaky to constantly itchy and uncomfortable, no form of dry skin is fun to deal with — but that doesn't mean you can't find a little relief. The secret lies in making a few small, mindful tweaks in your home, wardrobe, and beauty routine. Ahead, we're revealing five habits and lifestyle choices of women who have their dry skin under control.
How to Cure Dry Skin
5 Tips That Women With Dry Skin Swear By
Feb 28 2019
by Carrie Carrollo
advertiser content from The Body Shop
Have super dry skin but aren't sure how to treat it? We've partnered with The Body Shop to share five things that will help prevent dryness and soothe your skin year-round.
1. Take a Mindful Approach to Shopping For Clothes
Clothes are a means of self-expression; we're all for wearing what you want and buying what you like. But if you struggle with dry skin, you might want to think twice before adding every item to your cart. Rough, itchy, or synthetic fabrics — e.g., acrylic or polyester — can not only irritate skin but also prevent it from breathing. Instead, opt for clothes made of natural fibre fabrics, like 100 percent cotton or silk. It's as simple as looking at the tag.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Diggy Lloyd
2. Choose Skincare Ingredients Wisely
Anyone obsessed with skin care will tell you that ingredients are everything. And if you're on the hunt for one that will help your dry skin struggles — from redness to itchiness and beyond — shea butter comes highly recommended. Long treasured by Ghanaian women as a protectant against dry wind, this sustainably sourced ingredient has a laundry list of benefits. Not only does it hydrate, intensely nourish, and soften skin, but it soothes, too. Today, you can find it at places like The Body Shop in everything from the iconic body butter to its bestselling lip butter to its newest haircare range.
Image Source: The Body Shop
3. Take Short, Cool(er) Showers
On days when you want to de-stress or are chilled to the bone from the weather outside, few things feel better than indulging in a long, hot shower. And a bubble bath? Basically self-care paradise. The only problem is that consistently exposing your skin to those high temperatures — not to mention for long periods of time — can severely dry it out. Hot water soaks up all of your skin's moisture. We suggest opting for five-to-10-minute showers in lukewarm-to-warm water as often as possible.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sheila Gim
4. Befriend a Humidifier in the Winter
Forget curling up by the fire; if you have dry skin, consider getting cosy next to your humidifier. Cold temperatures drain all the moisture from the air, which can irritate and dry out your skin. A humidifier replaces that moisture wherever you choose to set it up — your home, your office, and beyond. Beyond curing your skin, it can also clear your nose and throat, helping you breathe better. Win-win.
Image Source: Shutterstock
5. Don't Leave the House Without Gloves When It's Cold
When it comes to staying warm in frigid temperatures, adding a pair of gloves to your outfit seems like the obvious choice. But in reality, you'd be surprised how many people forget them. Maybe they've lost countless pairs over the years and don't want to replace them again, or maybe they can't risk ruining a killer outfit. When you have dry skin, however, there's no excuse that's worth having cracked, rough — and often painful — hands. Do them a favour and slip on a pair of gloves if you plan to be outside in the cold.
Image Source: Shutterstock