Skincare for Dry Skin

First, be sure you have dry skin, and not combination skin. With combination, it's normal to feel some oiliness in the T zone, and if you're using too harsh a soap, you may feel pulling to the cheeks and forehead after washing. Get a bar of gentle skin soap and use it for a few days, then assess your skin by washing, patting it dry and timing yourself for half an hour. If your face feels as if it's pulling in less than half the time allotted, you likely do have dry skin. And while you have only tested your face, chances are that other areas of your body are dry as well, just not in a way that makes it obvious.

One of the most basic ways to care for dry skin, is to use a moisturizing soap, and not one that strips it of its natural oils. Taking a long, hot soak in the tub is a wonderful relaxer, but it too will strip away your skin's natural oils. You can still enjoy the benefits though by shortening the time, lowering the temperature of the water a bit, and using bath oils instead of bubble bath. As soon as you step out and dry off, apply a moisturizing body lotion, as slightly damp skin tends to absorb it better.

For the face, you'll want a moisturizing lotion that absorbs fairly quickly. Most women moving into middle age, may wish to switch to a cream as opposed to lotion, because it stays with the skin longer. Also, lotion is largely water in composition, and prone to freezing if you go outside in extreme winter weather, after applying it. Even the thinnest sheen that has not dried, can freeze, expand, and damage skin further.

Try living with a lower thermostat as well in winter. And if at all possible, add a humidifier to your home or office. This keeps moisture in the air, so that it's not being drawn out of your skin.