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How Can I Get Dry Skin Relief?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

The easiest and most effective way of dealing with dry skin is usually with a good moisturizer. For example, you might enjoy dry skin relief if you consistently moisturize your skin with a cream or lotion that contains an ingredient such as cocoa butter or almond oil. You may have to moisturize at least a few times a day, including after bathing, following hand-washing, and before bed. Products that contain a good deal of alcohol or perfumes and other chemicals are usually a poor choice for dry skin. Additionally, you might benefit from drinking more water to promote moisture from the inside outward.

One of the best ways to get dry skin relief is to use a good moisturizer — often. For example, you will most likely need to moisturize your skin each time you bathe as well as before you get dressed in the morning. You might, however, also find night moisturizing helpful. For instance, you can moisturize your hands and feet and then wear clean socks and gloves throughout the night to help lock the moisture in place.

Hand lotion can provide some dry skin relief.
Hand lotion can provide some dry skin relief.

Remembering to moisturize your hands after washing them might also help bring dry skin relief. This may prove hard to remember, as you probably wash your hands multiple times each day. It is critical, however, as so much washing serves to deprive the skin of its natural oils. If you allow this to go unchecked, your hands could become even drier and more irritated than usual. Keeping a lotion dispenser in your bathroom may prove helpful for remembering to moisturize after hand washing.

Dry skin needs to be moisturized often.
Dry skin needs to be moisturized often.

It is also important to avoid certain types of lotions, creams, and soaps when dealing with dry skin. Those that contain a high content of alcohol, other chemicals, or perfumes may make dry skin problems worse. Instead, you may do well to opt for products that are designed specifically for dry skin and contain such ingredients as almond, coconut, and linseed oils. You might find moisturizing products that contain cocoa or shea butter helpful as well.

Linseed oil may be included in lotions for dry skin.
Linseed oil may be included in lotions for dry skin.

To get dry skin relief, it is also important to consider the inside of your body. Your skin is affected by dehydration, and even a minor lack of fluids can contribute to the problem. As such, you may do well to consume at least eight glasses of water per day. If you have been sweating a good deal or have been working in the hot sun, you will likely benefit from a couple of extra glasses as well.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

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    • Hand lotion can provide some dry skin relief.
      By: Martinan
      Hand lotion can provide some dry skin relief.
    • Dry skin needs to be moisturized often.
      By: Konstantin Kulikov
      Dry skin needs to be moisturized often.
    • Linseed oil may be included in lotions for dry skin.
      By: spline_x
      Linseed oil may be included in lotions for dry skin.
    • Almond oil is a soothing ingredient for dry skin.
      By: Dionisvera
      Almond oil is a soothing ingredient for dry skin.
    • Petroleum jelly provides comfort to dry skin.
      By: Graça Victoria
      Petroleum jelly provides comfort to dry skin.
    • Many brands of lotion are available for those with dry skin.
      By: L_amica
      Many brands of lotion are available for those with dry skin.
    • Fair-skinned people ofen have dry skin, and should look for a creamy foundation or BB cream that also contains adequate suncreen.
      By: Marina Karkalicheva
      Fair-skinned people ofen have dry skin, and should look for a creamy foundation or BB cream that also contains adequate suncreen.
    • Cutting back on manually washing dishes can help with dry skin on hands.
      By: kmiragaya
      Cutting back on manually washing dishes can help with dry skin on hands.