As odd as it sounds, dry skin isn't about a lack of moisture. Studies comparing the water content of dry skin to normal or oily skin don't show a significant difference between them. In fact, healthy skin is only about 30% water.

1. HOW TO CARE FOR DRY SKIN
In This Article:
 RecommendedProducts
 Why Your SkinGetsDry
 How to Fix Dry Skin
 Will DrinkingWaterHelpDrySkin?
As odd as itsounds,dry skin isn'tabouta lack of moisture. Studies comparingthe water content of dry skin to
normal or oily skin don'tshowa significantdifferencebetween them. In fact, healthy skin is only about30%water.
Adding more moisture to dry skin is notnecessarily a good thing. If anything, too much moisture, such as from
soakingin a bathtub, is bad for skin becauseitdisrupts the skin's outer layers makingitdry, flaky,dehydrated, and
creepy.
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RecommendedProductsforDrySkin
Moisture Boost Advanced Kit Clinical Ultra-Rich Soothing Body Butter Skin Recovery Advanced Kit
Why Your Skin Gets Dry
The primary reason your skin becomes dry is all aboutimpairment.What happens is that the outer layers of skin
losetheir ability to maintain normal moisturelevels.For the most part, this is due to sun damage and, to some
extent, the use of skin-careproducts that contain irritatingor dryingingredients.
Have you ever noticed that the parts of your body that don't have sun damage (the parts of your body that are not
routinely exposed to the sun) are rarely,if ever, dry (justlook at the insidepartof your arm or your derriere)?
That's becauseareas with littleto no sun damage don't suffer the range of problems that stem from cumulative
sun exposure.
How to Fix Dry Skin
What dry skin needs is barrier-repairingingredients thathelp itact younger so itcan sustain a healthy water
balance.Here areour best tips to stop the cycleof dry, uncomfortable skin:
The firststep is to stop damagingthe outer layer of skin by avoiding:

2. Soaps (all kinds,and anythingin bar form)
Harsh cleansingingredients such assodium laurel sulfateor sodiumC14-16 olefin suffocate
Products with irritatingingredients (i.e.alcohol,peppermint, menthol, mint, citrus,eucalyptus,fragrance)
Exposure to hot water
Abrasivescrubs (think of the micro derma abrasion-at-hometype, or those that contain fruitand nut fragments)
Loofahs
The next steps areto give your skin whatit needs to act likeitdid before it was damaged by the sun. Here are
some fail-safetips to help you have beautifully smooth,younger-looking skin:
Wear sunscreen daily, even in winter: Sun damage slowly makes your skin less and less able to hold moisture or
feel smooth. Use state-of-the-art moisturizers (serums, gels, lotions, creams, anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, firming, etc.
are all just "moisturizers"): Moisturizers should be filled to the brim with antioxidants, ingredients that help skin
hold on to water, skin-repairingingredients, and anti-inflammatory ingredients. To ensure stability of the light- and
air-sensitiveingredients,make surewhatever moisturizer you choose does not come in clear or jar packaging.
Exfoliate: Skin cell turnover (exfoliating) is a function of healthy skin, but due to sun damage, your skin needs help
with this process. A well-formulated alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) or beta hydroxyl acid (BHA) product can help skin
cells turn over in a more natural, youthful manner by removing the build-up of old skin cells and replacing them
with newer, smoother ones. For very dry skin, use pure plant oils such as olive oil or jojoba seed oil, applied after
your moisturizer over dry areas.
Don't forget your lips: Lips are the least capable of staying smooth and soft. Do not leave your lips naked day or
night. During the day it is essential to apply and reapply an emollient lipstick or gloss. At night, do not go to sleep
without protecting your lips with an emollientlip balmall year-round.
Never useproducts that contain dryingor irritatingingredients:But you already knew that one, right?
Constant exposure to dry environments, cold weather, or air fromheaters or air conditioners can also be
problematic becausethey impair and degrade the skin's outer protective layer. Adding a humidifier to your home
can make a world of difference!
Will Drinking Water Prevent Dry Skin?
This is one of those beauty myths that refuses to go away, but here are the facts:Although drinkingeight glasses of
water a day is greatfor your body, it doesn't work to improve or reduce dry skin.If all ittook to get rid of dry skin
was drinkingmore water, then no one would have dry skin and moisturizers would stop being sold.
The causes of and treatments for dry skin arefar more complicated than justdrinkingwater. Of course,you should
be careful to not consume the types of liquidsthatlead to dehydration, with alcohol and caffeinebeingthe chief
offenders. Balancingmoderateintake of coffee or, for example, red wine with water will help offset the
dehydrating effects both can have on your body.