Dry skin is uncomfortable and marked by itching and cracking. You may have naturally dry skin, but anyone can develop dryness from time to time. Some small lifestyle changes might be all you need to solve it. Here are some steps you can take if you struggle with dry skin.

First off, avoid using hot water to bathe or shower. We know this can be hard. Those scalding hot showers feel so good! But it makes a big difference. Try to stick with a mild warm water and your skin will thank you.  

Another thing to remember when showering, keep it short. Ten minutes or less is ideal. If you are a mom of toddlers you’re probably thinking no problem, when was the last time I got a long shower anyways!? For all our other readers who love long showers… remember that keeping it short will help prevent stripping your skin of its natural oils which are necessary for hydration.     

You also want to be using natural glycerin soap when you bathe or shower. When soap is made it produces a compound called glycerin that makes the soap bubble and also helps moisturize the skin.  Many manufactured soaps have the glycerin removed (so they can sell it elsewhere for more money) and add in synthetic chemicals to replace it. These chemicals can be very irritating to already dry skin, so switch that commercial soap out for a natural glycerin soap (shop our natural handcrafted soaps here).    

Another personal care product you want to avoid are lotions made with chemicals. There are so many commercial lotions out there pumped full of toxins. You want to look for lotions that are 100% natural, using plant based oils and butters. Many health food stores carry lotions that use these all natural ingredients in a variety of scents so you can still find your favorite! You can shop our ALL NATURAL handcrafted lotions here.

The next one may take some discipline to remember. When you get out of the shower you should pat your skin dry with a soft towel. Do not rub it dry! Be very gentle so you do not further irritate your skin.  

Another common irritant that takes some self-control is itching. Try to remember throughout the day to avoid itching or scrubbing dry skin patches. And if you do find yourself itching, STOP, grab your natural lotion and apply it to the irritated area.  

Using a humidifier in your home can also be very helpful. This one is not for everyone because many people with dust allergies cannot handle the humid environment. However, if you do not have allergies that get worse with humidity then this is a great option to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.   

Speaking of hydrating, this brings us to our last point. Drink water! A lot of water!! This is the most important step because our health works from the inside out. What we put in our bodies is going to be represented on the outside too. A normal person should be drinking half of their weight (lbs.) in ounces of water each day. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs. then you should be drinking at least 75 oz. of water each day. If you are doing this and still have dry skin then you want to boost this up even more to achieve that hydrated glow. 

Healthy skin starts on the inside. To help you get healthy inside and out we created a free pdf with our exact guide to healthy living. Download it now here.