Once you’ve dialed down the temperature, take a look at the products you use to clean your skin. If you’re sudsing up with a regular bar of soap, you might want to consider other options - harsh soaps can rob your skin of its natural moisture barrier. Look for soaps with milder ingredients that are fragrance-free and contain natural moisturizers like aloe or shea butter.

Watch how you’re applying your cleansing products, too, because harsh cloths and towels can irritate skin. Dr. Nanette Silverberg, dermatology professor at Columbia University told WebMD, “Friction strips the skin and enhances the dryness.” Instead, when applying products or scrubbing in the shower, Silverberg recommends a softer washcloth or even using your hands to apply soap or body wash. When toweling off, pat dry instead of rubbing too hard, as the latter may create lots of friction.

Skipping the Moisturizer Creams All Together

You don’t have to fear over-moisturization if you don’t need to do it in the first place! There are many reasons why you may develop dry skin - from your diet to your genetics. The good news is that there are many natural ways to moisturize without grabbing another bottle from the pharmacy shelves.{relatedarticles}

Your food can be a boon to your quest for moist, healthy skin the natural way. According to the FitSugar health blog, the moisture of your skin is influenced by how well it can retain water, and omega-3 fatty acids help your skin do just that. Omega-3’s are found in fatty fish like salmon and oil-rich foods like walnuts and flaxseed.