Super dry skin and how to prevent it!

Winter is coming up fast, and we all know what comes with it... No I wasn't talking about the holidays and all the food and presents! I mean dry skin. Really, really dry skin in fact!

The technical name for dry skin is Xeroderma, and will thus be called "X" for short!

So X is caused by any number of things, such as winter weather, the air is colder and naturally dryer so it saps the fluids from your skin and pulls it free into the air. Also in the winter if you shower more often, or take a really hot shower with bar soap. Though the water feels wonderful, it dries you out even more and takes the necessary oils from your skin which is a bad thing. When you shower in the winter, try to use a bodywash that has vitamins in it like A or D, these help retain moisture in your skin. And apply a lotion like Aveeno when you get out, the oatmeals and such work wonders!

Best times to apply a layer of lotion? Right after a shower or right before you go to bed! Your body absorbs much more when the skin is warm ad when you are recharging for the next day. If you put lotion on your feet, cover them with socks afterwards to lock in the lotion and help make your feet soft and smooth like a baby's bottom... but not as smelly :P

Dealing with a dry face and scalp sucks more. My forehead and bangs get really dry when it's chilly. Best thing to do is to wash your hair with an anti-dandruff shampoo that has a moisturizing conditioner in it. Using a hair dryer and pulling your hair back tightly aggrivates the folicles and the scalp, so try to refrain from doing that if possible.

When you wash your face, use warm water and a very mild soap. You are only trying to open the pores a small amount so that they can breathe. Pat your face off with a towel when you finish and take the same moisturizing lotion like Aveeno and apply it to the dry areas. Make sure to work it into your skin well so that its well absorbed.

You don't want to use too much or you could start a chain acne-reaction!

Remember, your skin is an organ, too! The largest one you have, so you have to take care of it and treat it like you like it ;)

Enjoy!