Don’t be a slave to the lotion bottle - save your dry skin naturally!

Moisturizers have become the most popular answer to dry, scaly skin since they hit the pharmacy shelves. Check the beauty aisle at your local store and you’ll find dozens of options with all sorts of additives for all types of skin conditions. Many claim to be natural and include ingredients like Aloe vera, but that doesn’t mean they’re always the best option for your skin.

Can moisturizing be excessive?

Too much of anything - even a good thing - can have adverse effects, and that applies to moisturizers, too. Just like the rest of your body, your skin needs to rest and repair itself, which is typically done at night.{relatedarticles}

Dr. Alex Khadavi, a dermatology professor at the University of Southern California, told Prevention magazine, “Skin cell regeneration is slightly faster at night than during the day." The article also quoted another expert, Dr. Sheldon Pinnell, as agreeing that “sleep hours are a potent time for your body to repair itself, skin included.”

When you first start a new moisturizer you need to watch your skin carefully to make sure it’s not causing other problems. For those with sensitive skin, stick to the simplest, most natural ingredients with no perfumes or harsh chemicals. If you have a diagnosed skin condition, your dermatologist will help you decide on the safest moisturizer for your body.