11 ways to get rid of dry skin

Tightness, poor skintone and premature ageing - they're just some of the unwelcome side effects of dry skin. ‘As we get older, our skin tends to lose its natural moisture as our oil glands start to slow down, making skin drier and therefore more prone to fine lines,' explains Simple skincare expert Caroline Frazer. ‘Also, oestrogen levels often drop after the menopause, which affects our skin's ability to hold on to moisture. So as we get older, it's even more important to moisturise at least once a day.'

Luckily, help is at hand - and it's easy to find. As Atoshi Ghosal, Dove skincare expert, says: ‘While there are many causes of dry skin, some of which are beyond our control, understanding how to care for your skin can help to alleviate the symptoms and give you soft, smooth and beautiful skin.'

1. Stay natural

Harsh chemicals can strip the oils from your skin, damaging its barrier function - so opt for natural ingredients. Jergens Naturals Ultra Hydrating Body Moisturiser, £4.88 for 200ml (from Boots, Superdrug and leading supermarkets), is made with 96 per cent natural ingredients including jojoba, avocado and olive oils. A single application will double skin hydration.

For a luxurious treat, try Madara Nourishing Cream, £15 for 150ml (www.soorganic.com or 01557 870564). At least 95 per cent natural, it contains Baltic seaweed, plantain, calendula, camomile and sea buckthorn to lock in moisture.

2. Add extra moisture

Richer than body lotions, body butters are the perfect treat after a soak in the bath. Purse-friendly Naturals Coconut & Shea Butter Body Butter, £3.42 for 200ml (from Superdrug), is gorgeously skin-quenching, while Amazene Avocado & Andiroba Body Butter, £14.95 for 150ml (www.amazene.co.uk or 0800 023 2368), sinks quickly into the skin, leaving it silky soft.

3. Avoid hot water

Keeping the temperature of your bath or shower in check can help to prevent dryness. ‘Washing in water that's too hot removes essential moisturisers from your skin,' says Atoshi. ‘These moisturisers act like mini sponges, so without them your skin won't retain water,' says Atoshi.

Consultant dermatologist Dr Mayou agrees. ‘Stick to tepid or cool water,' she says. ‘And try not to stay in the bath for a long time as this will remove the natural oils in your skin, disrupting your skin's moisture barrier, leaving it more susceptible to dryness.'

If you love a soak, add a capful of Lubatti Pure Indulgence Bath Oil, £27.50 for 200ml (from Space NK). With sweet almond, jojoba, avocado oils and vitamin E, this ultra-nourishing blend comes in four fragrances - Tuberose & Mimosa, Scented Rose, Wild Violet and Bergamot & Grapefruit. For a budget option, you can't beat Beautifully Delicious Bubblelicious Honey & Almond Bath & Shower Cream, £2.99 for 500ml (from Boots, Sainsbury's and Tesco).

4. Take care of your hands

Exposed to the elements, hands are particularly prone to parch. Give them a boost with Sally Hansen 18 Hour Protective Hand Cream, £5.95 for 75g (01233 656366). If you find that your skin is excessively dry in cold weather, hydrate it from the inside out. Injectable Hyularonic Acid treatments, such as Teosyal Meso, from £400 for a course of three (0870 162 1402), plump and hydrate hands for up to three months. Restylane Vital Light, from around £450 for a course of three (www.restylane.co.uk) has similar results, but effects last around six to nine months.

5. Cleansers that don't dry your skin

Traditional soaps can disturb the skin's PH balance, upsetting its barrier function and making dryness more likely. Maintain its delicate acid/alkaline balance by cleansing your body with a PH-neutral product, such as Sanex Hypo Allergenic Shower Gel, £1.89 for 250ml (available nationwide), which is free from soap and colourants.

Simple Derma Intensive Relief Shower Cream, £4.69 for 200ml (from Boots, Superdrug and Lloyds Pharmacy), has been formulated for very dry, sensitive skin that's prone to eczema and dermatitis. A non-foaming body cleanser, it contains natural plant oils to soothe and lock in moisture.

Cleansing classic, Dove Original Beauty Cream Bar, from 80p per bar (available nationwide), is so mild it can be used on both the face and body. With moisturising cream and mild cleansers, this will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.

6. Look after your legs

The skin on the legs is especially susceptible to dryness as it has relatively few oil-producing glands. ‘Shaving removes the top layer of dead skin cells along with the hair,' explains P&G beauty medical adviser Dr John Gray. ‘Without those extra cells, your skin's surface is compromised, and your skin can lose moisture.'

Applying a shaving gel or cream can help combat the drying effects of shaving, as can using Gillette Venus Embrace, £6.99 (available nationwide), which has five-blade technology to help you achieve the closest shave possible, plus a protective ribbon of moisture surrounding the blades.

More dry skin care tips - read on ...

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