Having a skin care routine in place is all well and good, but sticking with it as the seasons change may not be ideal as there is a possibility for dryness to occur, especially during months when humidity levels drop. When this happens, dry skin will only serve to highlight the wrinkles, lines, and other blemishes on your skin which can age you. What’s more, there is a possibility of having cracked and peeling skin too, especially when your skin is not receiving enough moisture.

Fortunately, preventing and repairing dry skin is possible according to dermatologists, using the following tips:

Choose warm water over hot

Taking a hot bath does help relax your muscles, but it’s not doing much in terms of your dry skin. The hot temperature can strip your skin of its natural oils which can exacerbate the problem. Dermatologists recommend that you opt for warm water instead as it is safer on your skin while providing a relaxing feel to your muscles.

Always remember to moisturize

Most of us tend to forget to apply moisturizer after we take a bath or a shower, but these two should always go hand in hand. You see, after you take a shower, your skin will remain damp which is the perfect time for you to apply moisturizer for better absorption. The same goes true after washing dishes or doing laundry because you will need to re-apply moisturizer on your hands to prevent them from becoming too dry because of exposure to soaps and detergents.

Choose the right lip balm

Another tip for dry skin that you should practice is to apply a good lip balm on your lips. Most of us are focused on the rest of our body that we forget our lips need some TLC too. Stay away from lip balms that leave a stinging or tingling sensation as they are causing irritation already. Go organic when possible.

Go gentle on skin care products

Not all skin care products are ideal for your skin, especially when it is starting to dry. What you need to avoid are deodorant soaps or those that come with alcohol, retinoids, fragrance, and AHA or alpha-hydroxy acid since they can remove the natural oils that are present in your skin. Look for gentle cleansers instead as they will not strip the natural barrier of your skin.

Shave smart

Men aren’t the only ones who shave as women shave their legs and under their arms to remove excess hair. Unfortunately, some of us are doing it wrong, which is why we are left with stubbles, or dark, and irritated skin afterwards. If you are planning on shaving your legs, do this after you have taken a shower since your hair will be softer and more pliable to cutting. Also, don’t forget to apply a shaving gel or cream on the area, and always shave in the direction your hair is growing to avoid damaging the skin. It is also recommended that you use a sharp razor blade to make a clean shave. As much as possible, change your razor after a few uses.

Use a humidifier

When the cold season arrives, the humidity levels in the air will drop, which can leave your skin feeling parched. To avoid having to deal with dry, cracking, and peeling skin during these times, it would be a good idea to install a humidifier in your bedroom at night for extra humidity that will be absorbed by your skin. This will help lessen the effects of dry air on your skin.