Five easy tips to help treat and cure dry, flaky skin

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While some of us are cursed with oil slicks for skin, there are others on the other side of the spectrum that deal with dry and flaky skin on a daily basis. Come winter, however, and almost everybody will have a bout of dry skin due to the low humidity and cold weather. With dry skin, the skin feels a little tight, especially after washing or showering. In a nutshell, dry skin is a result of an inadequate amount of oil being produced, which is necessary to keep the skin hydrated and lubricated. Fortunately, there are ways to help control your dry and flaky skin.

* Of course everybody should wash their face on a daily basis to clean any grime or buildup that has accumulated on the skin. Those with dry skin, however, need to learn a different method and technique to wash their face that will prohibit an excessive drying of the skin. If you can do it, avoid using normal tap water when washing the face. The mineral deposits in normal tap water can cause your skin to become even drier. Instead, try using mineral water when cleansing your face. Mineral water can be purchased very inexpensively at almost every grocery store, so keep a supply handy. Also, never wash your face with hot water, which can also serve to dry out the face. Finally, never use normal soap to wash your face. Instead invest in a cleanser that is made for dry skin users. When cleaning your face, do not use anything that could irritate your dry skin, like a washcloth. Instead use your fingers and rub the cleanser into your skin using a gentle and circular motion. Instead of roughly drying your face with a towel, pat your skin dry, leaving the skin a little damp. Be sure to wash your face both day and night.

* One very important step that anybody with dry and flaky skin never wants to miss is moisturizing. Again, you will need to invest in a moisturizer that is made for dry skin. Apply the moisturizer to your slightly damp skin immediately after washing. You will want to apply the moisturizer all over your face, as well as your neck area in upward strokes. Remember, moisturizer is not only for the daytime. You will also want to apply the moisturizer to your skin after washing your face before going to bed.

* You will want to use a facial mask designed for dry skin once a week. This will help remove the dry, dead skin cells that have accumulated on your face. If your entire body feels dry (as it might in winter), you can use a salt scrub to help exfoliate your entire body, which will rid your body of the dead cells, causing fresh new cells to surface.

* Have you ever seen the face of somebody who has smoked for years? It often has a leather-like appearance. Avoid smoking at all costs. The nicotine found in cigarettes causes the small blood vessels and capillaries to become smaller which, in turn, deprives skin of nutrients.

* Try to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Sunbathing dries out the skin, causing irreversible damage and drying. When out in the sun, always use sun block and reapply according to the directions.
While some of us are cursed with oil slicks for skin, there are others on the other side of the spectrum that deal with dry and flaky skin on a daily basis. Come winter, however, and almost everybody will have a bout of dry skin due to the low humidity and cold weather. With dry skin, the skin feels a little tight, especially after washing or showering. In a nutshell, dry skin is a result of an inadequate amount of oil being produced, which is necessary to keep the skin hydrated and lubricated. Fortunately, there are ways to help control your dry and flaky skin.

* Of course everybody should wash their face on a daily basis to clean any grime or buildup that has accumulated on the skin. Those with dry skin, however, need to learn a different method and technique to wash their face that will prohibit an excessive drying of the skin. If you can do it, avoid using normal tap water when washing the face. The mineral deposits in normal tap water can cause your skin to become even drier. Instead, try using mineral water when cleansing your face. Mineral water can be purchased very inexpensively at almost every grocery store, so keep a supply handy. Also, never wash your face with hot water, which can also serve to dry out the face. Finally, never use normal soap to wash your face. Instead invest in a cleanser that is made for dry skin users. When cleaning your face, do not use anything that could irritate your dry skin, like a washcloth. Instead use your fingers and rub the cleanser into your skin using a gentle and circular motion. Instead of roughly drying your face with a towel, pat your skin dry, leaving the skin a little damp. Be sure to wash your face both day and night.

* One very important step that anybody with dry and flaky skin never wants to miss is moisturizing. Again, you will need to invest in a moisturizer that is made for dry skin. Apply the moisturizer to your slightly damp skin immediately after washing. You will want to apply the moisturizer all over your face, as well as your neck area in upward strokes. Remember, moisturizer is not only for the daytime. You will also want to apply the moisturizer to your skin after washing your face before going to bed.

* You will want to use a facial mask designed for dry skin once a week. This will help remove the dry, dead skin cells that have accumulated on your face. If your entire body feels dry (as it might in winter), you can use a salt scrub to help exfoliate your entire body, which will rid your body of the dead cells, causing fresh new cells to surface.

* Have you ever seen the face of somebody who has smoked for years? It often has a leather-like appearance. Avoid smoking at all costs. The nicotine found in cigarettes causes the small blood vessels and capillaries to become smaller which, in turn, deprives skin of nutrients.

* Try to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Sunbathing dries out the skin, causing irreversible damage and drying. When out in the sun, always use sun block and reapply according to the directions.