How to Moisturize Your Body

Skin is the body’s largest organ: It is a living, breathing thing that actually needs TLC. And what it wants most — besides protection in the form of sunscreen — is a long drink of moisture.

Dry skin is a difficult, annoying and sometimes unsightly problem to have. With a little know-how and some preventative care, though, you can make sure your skin is getting all the protection and love it needs to be at its best.


Shower gently
Most bar soaps contain chemicals that are harsh on the skin. Repeated use of these soaps can leave skin parched. Try switching over to things specially formulated to give your skin the soaking it wants. Bathing with a gentle body wash or creamy liquid soap is much healthier for the skin.

Although you may love nothing more than a hot shower, know this: The hotter the shower or bath, the worse it is for the skin. Heat takes away natural oils. Instead, take a warm shower and make it short.

Let the new shine through
Exfoliating the skin is key. By removing all dead and dry skin cells, your entire body will appear healthy and radiant. The perfect time to exfoliate is before you bathe. Try a natural body brush and, starting from the feet, work all the way up to the neck. In the shower, you can use a bath mitt to gently buff with a combination of natural sea salt and olive oil.

For facial exfoliation, beware of anything harsh or gritty, as it will be irritating, especially for those with sensitive skin.

Be mad for moisture
Dermatologists say that the best time to apply moisturizer is immediately following a bath or shower. Pat skin dry rather than rubbing it, and leave a little water on the skin. Lock in the moisture by applying your lotion or other product to still-damp skin.

For rough areas that get a beating, like hands and feet, generously apply a rich hand and/or foot cream then slip on a pair of gloves or socks to allow product to fully saturate the skin. Try using natural oils like coconut, avocado or sweet almond — these sink right into the skin like magic. Lotions that contain alpha or beta hydroxy acids also help remove dead skin cells

When you are shopping for products, keep in mind that for normal or oily skin, a water-based product is a good bet. For dry or aging skin, look for oil-based moisturizers. For those of you who have easily irritated skin, look for products free of dyes or fragrances.

Now, stop reading this and get moisturizing — your skin will thank you!