How To Treat Dry Skin

Learning how to treat dry skin can save you a visit to the dermatologist before things get bad enough to require medical assistance. There are many reasons a person's skin might be dry. Some of these include, allergies, chemical sensitivities, actual medical disorders, or even simple dehydration. If dry skin is troubling you, there are a few things you can try that may bring you relief and keep you out of the doctor's office. A little self care can go a long way if your skin is showing signs of being irritated or dry.

Things you will need to get your skin back on track:

• Plenty of water (to drink)
• Over-the-counter skin lotion (preferably unscented and mild)
• Mild soap
• sun block

Many of the causes of dry skin require simple changes to your daily routine to get your skin back on track and healthy again.

1. One of the most overlooked causes of dry skin is simply not keeping yourself well hydrated. If you are spending a lot of time out in the sun or outdoors in general, your skin may be suffering from both sun exposure as well as dehydration. Be sure that you are drinking enough water and that you wear sun block if you intend to spend a lot of time in the sun. Keeping yourself hydrated is the first step towards keeping your skin happy and healthy.
2. Get yourself a mild over-the-counter lotion to apply to your skin when you get out of the shower. Once you have lightly towel dried your skin, apply lotion to your skin to help keep it moisturized and to keep it from drying out. Two things relating to your showers may be the culprit for your dry skin problem. Taking hot showers for a long period of time will dry your skin out and a lot of soaps are harsh and will also dry your skin. If you are taking long hot showers, considering lowering the temperature a bit and shortening the length of time that you are in the shower. One that contains shea butter can be especially good for those suffering from dry skin.
3. Invest in a mild soap to use when you shower. This can make all the difference in the world, especially if you have sensitive skin. A lot of the antibacterial soaps that are marketed these days have harsh chemicals in them that can dry your skin out. Try to steer clear of those and invest in a mild soap that is designed for sensitive skin.
   
4. Use sun block when you are going to be spending time in the sun. Most people don't spend a lot of time thinking about how much damage the UV rays from the sun cause to their skin. Even if you don't tend to burn when you are in the sun, you should at least be wearing a sun block with an SPF of at least 15 and a higher SPF would be an even better idea. You will still be able to get some color when wearing sun block, but it will help to prevent your skin from becoming more damaged by the UV rays from the sun.

There are a number of medical conditions which can cause your skin to be dry, so if your skin is severely dry, cracked, scaly, or you seem to have developed a condition, it's best to have it looked at by a doctor to make sure that there isn't an underlying medical condition causing the problem. Indoor air conditioning and heating can also contribute to dry skin because they dry out the environment you are spending time in. In the winter, many people solve this problem by getting moisture back into the air by allowing a pot of water to simmer slowly on the stove. Most of the time dry skin can be corrected by eliminating harsh soaps, overly hot showers, and using a mild skin lotion in addition to drinking extra water. If you are drinking a lot of alcohol, this will also dry your skin out, so drinking water is extra important for people consuming alcoholic beverages. Take good care of your skin and it will show.