We all want flawless skin. But most of us aren’t lucky enough to have healthy skin. Oftentimes we either struggle with oily skin or dry skin. You might be experiencing dry skin at any time of the year, but it’s especially common to struggle with dry skin in the winter and spring. During these times, you’ll find less humidity in the air, which can have a negative impact on your skin health. Dry skin can be a sign of premature aging, caused by sleep deprivation (there’s a reason why it’s called “beauty sleep”), or our beauty routine is lacking in some way. 

There are several things you can do to have brighter skin, including washing with cool water instead of hot water, applying topical vitamins, such as Vitamin C, deep cleansing, avoiding harsh chemicals, and making changes to your daily routine. Whether you’re experiencing dry, dull skin in the winter or you just have a dry skin type, there are plenty of options available to alleviate the problems and have glowing skin. Here are a few things you might want to consider to have skin with a healthy glow.

1. Change Your Shower Routine

Your shower and skincare routine may actually be negatively impacting your skin. Shower with lukewarm water or cool water, not hot water. Hot water can strip your skin of its natural protective oils, and the more often you’re in the shower, the more oils you’ll be stripping from your skin. Aim for no more than one shower every 24 hours and try to limit your showers to around 10 minutes each.

In terms of products, you should opt for a mild, unscented soap. Only lather up in areas that tend to get dirty, as excess lathering can lead to over-exfoliation. Once you’re out of the shower, pat your skin dry, without rubbing. Apply your moisturizer while you’re still damp to seal in extra moisture.

2. Moisturize Internally

Your skin is unlikely to be moisturized if you’re not drinking lots of water. This is why one of your first steps to tackle dry skin should be to follow the general rule of thumb of drinking at least eight glasses of water a day. Try keeping a bottle of water with you throughout the day. It might amaze you how much water you drink when you have it available! By increasing your body’s natural moisture level, you’ll give your skin more to work with. A lack of hydration results in dry skin, so keep your hydration levels up for glowing skin.

3. Moisturize Externally

From an environmental perspective, a humidifier may be a great tool to use during the winter and spring months to keep your skin hydrated, especially if you’re working in a room with an air conditioner, which can remove moisture.

Good-quality skin care products, including moisturizers, products with Vitamin C, or aloe vera, are also indispensable. Use them directly on any troublesome spots where you notice dryness, peeling, or cracking, and always apply them in circular motions. If you find that over-the-counter moisturizers are irritating your skin, consult a dermatologist to get a prescription formula.

Ointments and oils can also be a great way to combat dryness, with baby oil and olive oil often recommended to manage exceptionally dry skin. Be careful with these options, as too much oil can lead to the opposite problem, with clogged pores causing oily skin. You may need to do some trial and error to figure out what works for you at different times of the year.

4. Make a Face Mask

A face mask is a great way to restore moisture to your face and remove dead cells. Your face is often one of the places where you’ll see dry skin pop up the most frequently. There are many types of masks available, including a clay mask or a glow mask. Using natural ingredients with fresh fruits that contain Vitamin C is a great option. Avocado is a favorite food for many, but it’s also incredibly hydrating due to its natural oils.

If you’re experiencing rough patches of skin, you can make a gentle face mask in just a few minutes. Combine half of a very ripe avocado, two tablespoons of honey, and half a teaspoon of olive or coconut oil. Just mash the avocado, then add the honey and oil. Spread it across your face, leaving some space around your eyes, then remove it with a warm, wet towel after 10 minutes.

If you have avocado left, you can mash it and apply it to your hair to restore moisture to hair strands as well.

5. Remember to Exfoliate

Exfoliation is one of the most important parts of skin care to remove dead skin cells and have healthy skin. When you moisturize, it’s also important to exfoliate so that you can remove the dry skin that sloughs off as part of the moisturization process.

One of the best ways to do gentle exfoliation is in the shower. Soak a towel in warm water while in the shower. Use the towel to then rub in your favorite gentle cream cleanser for 30 seconds to a minute, then wash off. Pat your skin dry and apply a moisturizer while your skin is damp.

Keep Your Skin and Hair Looking Great

Dry skin isn’t a problem anyone likes dealing with, which is why it’s so important to manage it both with hydration and exfoliation. If you maintain moisturization and keep up with an exfoliation routine, you can make sure you have radiant skin.

If skincare is something you like learning about, have you considered turning your love of skincare into a job? The Ogle School esthetics program can help you do that. Request more information now to learn more about how your skincare knowledge can become a fulfilling career.