If your skin feels like you should be a member of the reptile family, don't slither away and hide. Skin becomes dry and rough for many reasons--climate, environmental factors, poor diet--but it is reversible. Even if your skin is naturally dry, with a little care it can become the soft, silky skin you dream of. However, if your rough skin is caused by a skin disorder or infection, you need to seek the care of a doctor or dermatologist, but these remedies may also help relieve some of your symptoms.
Step 1
Cleanse the skin with a mild or superfatted soap free of harsh detergents, perfumes and lye. Superfatted basically means that moisturizers are added into the soap during the manufacturing process. Steer clear of soaps like Zest that contain detergents that can strip oils from the skin. Instead, choose a mild soap like Purpose, or a superfatted soap like Dove, which will gently cleanse and moisturize the skin at the same time.
Step 2
Exfoliate skin gently with a loofah or exfoliating scrub a few times a week to slough off dead skin and increase circulation to skin surface. One cause of rough skin can be dead skin cells that collect on the skin's surface and cause a scaly and uneven feeling or appearance. Use a moisturizing soap and a loofah, or a moisturizing exfoliating scrub to to remove that top layer of skin. The key here is to be gentle--over-scrubbing can cause skin tears and further dryness.
Step 3
Moisturize twice a day with shea butter, cocoa butter or olive oil to relieve very dry, rough skin. Shea and cocoa butters and olive oil are extra emollient and will soothe and protect skin and leave it feeling silky smooth. Moisturize all over after your shower and 10 to 12 hours later to keep skin hydrated and protected.
Step 4
Wear sunscreen anytime you will be exposed to the sun. Sun exposure and sun damage cause wrinkles and cause the skin to appear dry and dehydrated. Protect your skin from further sun damage so that it can begin to repair itself and become smooth again.
Step 5
Turn down the heat and air conditioning in your home. Central heating and air conditioning are a major culprit of dry, rough skin, because they reduce the humidity of the air in your home. Try to only use heat and air conditioning when you have to.
Step 6
Take lukewarm baths and showers. Hot showers strip essential oils from the skin, leaving it dry and rough. Even in cold months, it is best to take a room temperature or lukewarm shower or bath.
Things You'll Need
- Mild or superfatted soap
- Loofah
- Exfoliating scrub
- Shea butter, cocoa butter or olive oil
- Sunscreen
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