8 Tips to Soothe Dry Skin

11 Jan 8 Tips to Soothe Dry Skin

We all love a bit of summer sun on our skin but there are a few less pleasant side effects to note. Enter the onslaught of dry, itchy and dehydrated skin. While switching to a good moisturiser at the first sign of hot dry weather is helpful, the drier climate may have already taken a toll. Dry skin can also happen as a result of frequent bathing, use of harsh soaps, aging, or certain medical conditions. Dry skin occurs when skin doesn’t retain sufficient moisture. Fortunately, here are some tips to help you get serious about a daily routine to ensure a hydrated, glowing complexion.

1. Bathing or showering in really hot water can dramatically dehydrate your skin. Try limiting yourself to one 5- to 10-minute bath or shower daily. If you bathe more than that, you may strip away much of the skin’s oily layer and cause it to lose moisture. Use lukewarm rather than hot water, which can wash away natural oils.
2. Make sure you are using a natural soap that does not strip your skin of its natural oils. Even better, pick at soap like our Salt Soaps. Made from natural ingredients including Coconut Oil, Pharmaceutical Grade Salt, Water, Olive Oil, Sodium Hydroxide and Essential Oils, it is both cleansing and moisturising. Most importantly, steer clear of deodorant soaps, perfumed soaps, and alcohol products, which can strip away natural oils.
3. Be kind to your skin, we recommend avoiding bath sponges, scrub brushes, and washcloths that can damage the skin. If you don’t want to give them up altogether, be sure to use a light touch. For the same reason, pat or blot (don’t rub) the skin when towelling dry.
4. Make moisturiser a daily ritual, your skin will drink it up. Apply moisturiser immediately after bathing or washing your hands. This helps plug the spaces between your skin cells and seal in moisture while your skin is still damp.
5. For really dry and flaky areas of skin on your face try paw paw cream. Apply a layer of the product before bed and wake up with a smooth and plump complexion. Paw Paw is deeply soothing has great restorative properties and prevents moisture from escaping. It is also the ideal moisturiser for acne. 
6. Never, ever scratch. Although it might be very tempting to scratch dry flaky skin but it can cause more damage. Most of the time, a moisturiser can control the itch. You can also use a cold pack or compress to relieve itchy spots.
7. Increasing your daily intake of fats may also help with dry skin. With a direct connection between the gut and skin health, try eating a diet rich in walnuts, olive oil, and avocados. And try substituting a glass of wine with a glass of water. While that extra glass of full-bodied red wine may seem like a good idea, alcohol, caffeine, and coffee are diuretics that will cause dehydration.
8. Try a gentle scrub. No matter how many serums and creams are applied, dry skin will stay dry without some light exfoliation. Try our Himalayan Salt Scrub. A powerful exfoliating detoxifier packed with healing minerals and trace elements for the whole body. The lush combination of Himalayan salt, oats and coconut oil helps remove dead flakey skin leaving the skin soothed and nourished. Once the skin has been gently buffed, moisturisers can penetrate and really get to work.