Follow a bath or a shower with a mild application of baby oil. Massage your face with a heavy nourishing cream every night. Be generous with the cream in the areas surrounding the eyes where tiny lines and crows feet are born. Use no detergent, neutral-pH products to cleanse your skin. Avoid using the commercial soap strong smelling detergent based soaps. Avoid coming in contact with highly alkaline soaps and detergents like washing sodas and powders which are excessively drying on the skin. Practical tips for dry skin care:
  • Don’t take very long showers and baths- dermatologist recommended time about 3 to 5 minutes. Cut back on bath and shower time (some dermatologists suggest 3 minutes!).
  • Take cooler showers or baths; do not use very hot water.
  • Use mild cleansers (“squeaky clean” is too drying).
  • Pat yourself dry gently with a towel, rather than rubbing.
  • Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing onto damp skin, to seal in remaining moisture.
  • Pay special attention to lower legs, which tend to be dryer
  • Don’t scratch dry, itchy spots; apply more moisturizer instead.
  • Avoid sudden changes of temperature, as this can exacerbate itching.
  • Moisturize and preferably dress up in the bathroom following a bath and this will reduce the itching sensation associated with dryness.
Try these measures to combat skin dryness but if there is no or minimal improvement, consult your dermatologist to rule out any underlying problem and to receive effective treatment