Dry skin is something all of us may struggle with at one point or another. Research suggests that at least a third of us struggle with dry skin on a daily basis, and that figure doubles when winter rolls around.   

Plenty of you will be wondering how to keep it under control with so many affected by the itchiness and irritation caused by dry skin, especially during the winter when colder and dryer air sets in.

With that in mind, we've got five helpful tips to keep that moisture locked in, for silky smooth skin. 

1. Use Moisturize Regularly

Okay, this almost goes without saying, but a high-quality moisturizer can make an enormous difference to your skin's look and feel. It's essential to moisturize even when your skin isn't bothering you, so you maintain an extra layer of protection. 

For your moisturizer to have the most impact, it's best to apply immediately after exiting the shower or bath, and once again before heading to bed. Consistency is crucial, so don't forget to devote at least five minutes of moisturizing each day to prevent dry skin from flaring up. 

2. Make Changes to Your Diet

That's right; changing what you eat can have a considerable influence on your skin's complexion and health. As a preventative measure to ward off dry skin, you should be looking to increase your consumption of foods that are rich in anti-oxidants. 

These active ingredients have a protective effect on your skin and can be found in the following foods:

• Carrots, apricots, and other yellow and orange fruits and vegetables
• Spinach and other green leafy vegetables
• Tomatoes
• Berries
• Beans, peas, and lentils
• Salmon, mackerel and other fatty fish
• Nuts

By the same token, avoid processed foods that are high in refined sugars and saturated fats, which both promote skin ageing. 

3. Make Changes to Your Washing Routine

Bodies such as the American Academy of Dermatology note that changing your showering or bathing routine can have a beneficial effect on dry skin. Although tempting in colder winter months, avoid taking hot showers, which can damage the skin and instead opt for warm showers. Limit your showering/bath time to no more than 10 minutes since the longer you're in the water, the more of your skin's natural oils are washed away.  

When it comes to soaps, many perfumed and fragranced soaps can make the skin thinner with the harsh chemicals used to create those scents. Thus, look for soaps that are fragrance-free so that they are gentler on your skin.

4. Wear Gloves for Protection

For many of us, the hands are the worst affected area when it comes to dry skin. Therefore, it's wise in the winter months to wear gloves whenever you venture outside. But putting on gloves as a preventative measure shouldn't be merely limited to going outside.

Think about wearing hand protection when performing tasks that cause your hands to be wet for a prolonged period (such as washing dishes). The same applies when using products with a high chemical concentration (such as cleaning products), so make sure to cover up.

5. Use a Humidifier

A humidifier is an excellent way to ensure your skin receives the moisture it craves. By using one of these devices, you can set the humidity levels to 50% (or higher if you're in a particularly dry environment), which will help to keep moisture locked into your skin by replenishing the top layer.

If you suffer from dry skin, we suggest placing a humidifier in your bedroom so that your skin can regenerate as you sleep. It's also a perfect way to amplify the effects of your moisturizer if you tend to apply it just before bedtime.

Bonus tip: Thanks to advances in modern technology, you can now buy a combined humidifier and essential oil diffuser to reap the benefits of both improved moisture levels in the air and the healing properties of essential oils through aromatherapy.

Choose the Perfect Humidifier with Miss Misty

Here at Miss Misty, we have a vast range of humidifiers and humidifier/diffuser combinations for you to choose from.

But hurry, products are flying off our shelves with the dry winter season already in full swing in the southern hemisphere. Order your humidifier today to avoid disappointment!