Soft skin is more than just visually appealing; it also indicates healthy skin. Rough skin is dry skin, and when dry skin is left untreated, it leads to skin cracking and irritation. To keep skin soft, skin must stay hydrated constantly. Dry skin can be hard to fix, so keeping skin full of moisture constantly is the best way to keep it soft. To keep skin soft, follow a daily routine that includes plenty of hydrating skin care.
Step 1
Take 10 to 15 minute baths and showers to increase the skin's moisture level. Spending more than 15 minutes in the water can have the reverse effect, causing dryness and rough skin.
Step 2
Choose ointments or creams rather than lotions to keep skin soft. There are a variety of effective ingredients to look for in a moisturizer, including lactic acid, urea, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, glycerin, lanolin, mineral oil and petrolatum. These ingredients all help to keep moisture in the skin, preventing roughness.
Step 3
Be careful of topical medications. Both over-the-counter and prescription antiwrinkle and acne-preventing topical creams and ointments can dry skin out.
Step 4
Choose skin products carefully. Soaps and cleansers with perfumes or fragrances tend to dry out skin. Use mild cleansers, so that the skin's natural oils aren't stripped off when washing. Avoid using skin toners that have an alcohol base, as these cause excessive dryness.
Step 5
Increase the air's humidity. Using a humidifier raises the moisture in the air, keeping skin soft.
Step 6
Protect the skin. In cold weather, make sure to cover exposed skin to prevent dryness and chapping. Wear sunscreen year-round so that skin doesn't dry out from the sun.
Step 7
Use preventative measures. Skin on the hands gets irritated when in contact with household cleaners. Wear protective gloves when cleaning to prevent skin damage. When gloves aren't readily available, remember to apply cream to the hands and wrists liberally afterward to combat the chemicals' drying effects.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizing creams or ointments
- Mild cleansers/soaps
- Humidifier
- Sunscreen
- Protective gloves
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