- Turn down the heat. Hot showers may feel great after the long trek across the cold bathroom floor, but you’re doing your skin a major disservice. Hot water severely dehydrates skin, so you’re better off going with a lukewarm rinse. Same goes for hand-washing—keep the temperature tepid.
- Pick the right soap. Look for cleansers—be it hand soap or shower gel—that have a high concentration of glycerin (ideally 15% to 20%). This natural byproduct from soap-making is a great lubricant! And speaking of natural, opt for natural or handmade soaps—they don’t have the harsh chemicals carried in many popular brand-name bars.
- Humidify. While the heater is a godsend during those long cold winter months, it zaps virtually all the moisture from the air. Place a humidifier in your bedroom to bring moisture levels to a respectable 30% to 40%. Your skin with thank you for it!
- Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Seems like a no-brainer right? But with all the chaos of the day, it’s easy to forget this all-important step. Rub an awesome moisturizer all over as soon as you’ve stepped out of the shower and patted dry (with skin still damp). Your bare bod will feel anything but barren and bone-dry. Plus, consider stashing a moisturizing mist in your purse so you can hydrate on-the-go.
- Exfoliate! Moisturizers are much more effective on exfoliated skin—so be sure to slough your bod approximately once a week. Don’t forget to use mild exfoliators on your face and harsher scrubs for the souls of your feet!
Check out more from Kaboodle:
Combat Dry Winter Scalp
Frosting for Your Hands
Fave Lip Exfoliators
Must-Have Skincare Products
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
