Good For You

Tips For Treating Yourself The Way You Deserve

Keeping Your Skin Moist

By Ann Karcich

Why Our Skin Needs Moisture

Our skin, the largest organ in our bodies, needs water to perform its daily work.  Reduced moisture in the skin decreases the skin's ability to repair itself after a cut or scrape and to keep infection and irritants from getting into the body.  Although dry skin alone does not cause signs of aging, keeping the skin moist will increase the effectiveness of other anti-aging treatments and will help prevent further aging signs.

How To Increase Skin Moisture

1) Drink Plenty of Water - The skin needs to be hydrated from inside and out.  Drink several glasses of water each day and avoid salty foods which can cause dehydration.

2) Go Easy With Facial Soaps - The skin's natural pH is in the acidic range.  Commercially produced soaps often have a higher pH which removes acidity from the skin.  With the acidity reduced, the skin is more susceptible to drying.  It's best to wash your face with plain water and follow up with a moisturizer.

3) Love That Sun and Wind - We all love a beautiful day outside with bright sun and a warm breeze.  But these can wreak havoc with the  moisture level in our skin.  If you're planning a day outside, use sunscreen and plenty of moisturizer.

4) Moisturize Times Two or Three - Ideally moisturizer should be applied to our faces every two or three hours.  For most of us with our crazy schedules, this just isn't possible.  But try to refresh the moisture, especially in dry or sensitive areas as often as you can.

5) Don't Forget the Body Butter and Body Lotions - For some of us, our faces are what we think of when we talk of moisturizing.  But the rest of our skin needs attention too.  After a bath or shower, lather up with your favorite body butter or body lotion.  Then go outside and enjoy the late summer sunshine.

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