How to Care for Your Dry Skin, According to a Dermatologist....from BHG 1/5/21

 Keep your body hydrated this winter with these expert tips.

By Jennifer Aldrich

I'm barely going outside right now, but my skin is still feeling the effects of the cold, harsh winter. As someone with dry, sensitive skin, the low temperatures and the lack of humidity can make my body feel super itchy and flaky, which are major signs that I need to moisturize ASAP, says Orit Markowitz M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Mount Sinai in New York City. She says these are symptoms of severely dry skin, and no one should wait until it gets to this point. "If you start to see a white film, or your skin gets red when you scratch it and it doesn't go away, or your skin just isn't as supple or smooth, you need to manage it so it doesn't get worse," she explains. Just like your face and your hands, your body needs lots of moisture, too.

Here are Markowitz's top tips on how to moisturize your dry skin this winter.

Pay Attention to the Formula: 

Choosing the best products is pretty easy. When it comes to moisturizer, the thicker the formula, the better, Markowitz explains. So, the best would be an ointment, then a cream, next a lotion, and lastly, gels and most oils.

When it comes to washing your body, Markowitz says to avoid shower gels and anything with a strong fragrance as they can all be drying and irritating.

Moisturize Right After the Shower

The best time to apply your cream is right after you shower, and it doesn't matter what time of day it is. You just need to take the time to moisturize thoroughly, Markowitz says. "Once you get out of the shower, pat your body dry, but do not rub or scrub," Markowitz says. Then, apply your thick moisturizer to seal the moisture into your skin.  I apply my body cream right after I put toner on my face.

Use a Humidifier

Even if you're not spending much time outside in the cold, the air inside your home can still negatively affect your skin. A humidifier increases the amount of moisture in the air and can help with dry skin.

Don't Scrub Your Skin

Markowitz says to never harshly scrub your skin in the shower, especially with micro beads. "Skin is your barrier from the outside environment; when you’re scraping your skin, you're compromising your barrier," she explains. "Originally, you'll think, 'Hey, my skin feels so smooth,' but over time, the skin requires more and more products to repair it."

Bree's Popular Suggestions:

Mary Kay® Extra Emollient Night Cream $15   For dry patches that are peeling or bleeding, this intense oinment forms a protective shield to minimize moisture evaporation and allow increased hydration of dry areas, especially hands, elbows, knees and feet.

Mary Kay® 2-In-1 Body Wash & Shave $16.  The Mary Kay^® 2-in-1 Body Wash & Shave is a unique botanical gel that delivers the convenience of a cleanser and shaving cream in one product.  No added fragrances or micro beads that would dry out skin.

Satin Body® Silkening Shea Lotion $18   Shea butter bliss for the whole body.

Satin Body® Whipped Shea Crème - White Tea & Citrus $22  A thick shea butter cream which is shown to moisturize instantly for 24 hours.

• Clinically tested for skin irritancy and allergy
• Dermatologist-tested

To request a sample of the Shea Lotion, email breestillings@gmail.com and explain your concerns.  To order, visit: https://www.marykay.com/bstillings

Aldrich, Jennifer. "How to Care for Your Dry Skin, According to a Dermatologist." Better Homes and Gardens, 5 Jan. 2021, www.bhg.com/beauty-fashion/skin-care/dry-skin-body/?did=601461-20210126&cmp=bhgdailyinspiration_012621&utm_campaign=bhg-daily-inspiration_newsletter&utm_source=bhg.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=012621&cid=601461&mid=49591947261.