How to Moisturize Dry Skin

The real key to moisturizing skin is not spa treatments that are pricey, but mostly caring for your skin on a daily basis. To start, here are three tips on how to moisturize skin:

1. Wash

Among the biggest offenders of dry skin are soaps that dry your skin out. Look for moisturizer based soaps made from the”butters.”

2. Exfoliate

The elimination of skin cells is vital because it enables newer skin to flourish. For daily exfoliation, buy a plastic mesh body sponge (you find them at most drugstores for well under $5). Such as The Body Shop’s Cocoa Butter Body Scrub 2 to 3 times each week, you need to exfoliate your skin using a body exfoliation cream.

3. Shield

Now that you removed the stuff that is bad and exposed the good, you have to protect your skin. Some people today swear by oil jelly manufacturers like Vaseline (which we cover under and can clog pores), however brands like Neutrogena and The Body Shop’s line of lightweight butters (I really enjoy the Mango Body Butter) are great choices that are also budget friendly moisturizers. On a little more expensive side, try brands like LUSH and Crab Tree & Evelyn (C&E’s new citrus line of products are excellent ).

Also using sunscreen, even in sunlight months, is a part of guarding your skin. Leads to a breakdown in skin cells, sun damage, that among other items, can dry out your skin. Start looking for a body moisturizer that has at least spf 15  and/or mix in a bot of sunscreen.

4. Maintain

Drinking water (at least 8 glasses per day), really is the ideal way to keep moisturized skin.

How to Moisturize Dry Skin: To Vaseline or never to Vaseline

The key to fabulous skin doesn’t lie at a $150 bottle of La Mer, but in a $3 bath of Vaseline. Before you send me angry emails about clogged pores and La Mer related wonders, hear me out. Vaseline has become African American women’s secret beauty weapon for generations. It is a skin softerner, a make-up remover, hair gel, and sun burn soother. It may even be used as a smile enhancer (rub on a bit underneath your upper lip). Ageless beauties like Beverly Johnson and Lena Horne, both of whom can afford to fall big dough on expensive moisturizers, elect for Vaseline to moisturize their dry skin. I bet you Oprah’s got two or a bottle in each of her houses that are fabulous.

If you’re still not sure about the forces of Vaseline, try these alternatives, available at your local drugstore, Target, and Wal-Mart (except for the Mango Body Butter):

Johnson’s Baby Oil Gel

This moisturizing gel will leave your skin feeling as soft as infant. Try out the chamiolle version after a relaxing bath.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula, Moisturizing Body Oil with Vitamin E

This is a great smelling cocoa butter that’s easier to use than ultra thick solid variations. After you escape the shower, use it right.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Aquaphor is a great option for those with dry, chapped skin who need Vaseline’s benefits, without the ultra depth.

The Body Shop’s Mango Body Butter

This is one of my favorite moisturizers  for skin that is dry. This rich mixture of shea nut butter and sweet almond oil is a great sweet, creamy, and can be found on the internet in www.thebodyshop.com or in your regional Body Shop.