by: Beverly Johnson
1. Shower only once daily if possible, using warm and not hot water.
2. Use a mild bar soap. Germacidal liquid hand soaps or those that contain deodorizing properties as they may strip away skin oils, causing severely dry skin to crack and peel.
Avoid commerical or store bought soaps as most contain harsh skin drying ingredients like detergent and alcohol.
Instead opt for an all natural hand made soap like Honey Hive Hand Craft Soaps enriched with natural skin nourishing oils (like olive oil, apricot kernal, shea butters) that will gently cleanse, while healing and soothing dried out skin. 100% pure ingredients!
3.) If you live in a cold or dry region of the country you may consider a humidifier that adds warm moisture back into the air. The warm air will help plump surface skin cells too, helping them retain much needed moisture.
4.) Dry skin is especially susceptible to sun damage. Protect skin with long sleeves, and high SPF whenever you go out. Even on cloudy or winter days.
5.) Hydrate your skin from the inside out, with plenty of fresh water (not just juices) especially during the summer. Think of your skin as a plant that receives most of it's moisture from the roots (inside)
6.) Avoid alchohol based skin care products as these will only dry your skin further.
Opt for "dry skin care" products that pamper your skin, and not punish it.
Products that are suitable for normal to oily skin will strip away the last bits of protective oils that your body produces, leaving your skin defenseless against the elements.
7.) Wear kitchen gloves whenever working with common household products i.e. dish detergent, bleach, clothes washing detergent, etc. as these will contain chemicals that can dry skin further.
8.) Find cooling relief from dry damaged skin with Mountain Rose's Comfrey-St. John's Wort Compound Healing Balm
From: Mountain Rose This is a very popular "super salve" for healing damaged skin. An excellent compound for superficial burns, minor nerve damage, diaper rash, cracked hands and heels, inflammation, and other minor injuries. This salve can be applied to most skin types, including those with sensitivities. Not to be used on open wounds.
All Natural Ingredient, includes Organic Comfrey leaves, wildharvested St. John's Wort flowers, and organic Calendula flowers in a base of organic Olive oil and Beeswax.
9.) Often skin becomes itchy and dry when the pH level is wrong. Many women have found relief from ultra dry skin with weekly Dead Sea Salt
baths. Unlike table salt which has been stripped of any nutritive value, Dead Sea Salt
contains 22 skin nourishing minerals that help restore skin's natural protective mantle and equalize the pH level--relieving itchy skin, without topical prescription medication.
To take advantage of the skin soothing powers of Dead Sea Salt, simply add 1 pound of Dead Sea Salt
to your next warm bath and soak your troubles away. You'll notice a difference in your skin right away.
You may also want to try Pink Himalayan Sea Salt-- an exotic Jurassic Era Sea Salt usually only found in the most high end cosmetics and bath products and spas.
Now, you can enjoy the luxury of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt in your own home!
Shea butter has also been shown to be helpful in healing and treating small wounds, burns, and skin ulcers, bruising and soreness and muscle fatigue.
