Not-so-obvious tips on moisturizing effectively.
— Soft Services newsletter
it’s more than just lotion
We get it, moisturizing the body is a tedious task given the large surface area there is to cover each time, though forming this healthy habit will certainly show you that the effort is worthwhile. This is especially so for those who have dry skin by default and experience itchiness, flakiness, skin cracking, and discomfort.
We’re here to share some not-so-obvious tips, outside of solely applying lotion, that will level up your skin moisturizing endeavorers and leave a long-lasting effect. It starts in the shower a. Try to limit the length of your showers during wintertime and on days you aren’t very active and sweaty. Resist simmering in the shower despite how cathartic it feels—hot, steamy showers can exacerbate dry skin and deplete remaining moisture from skin. b.
If you’re a frequent daily showerer, consider cutting back to just one shower if your day was pretty calm and/or you work from home. c. Reassess your current body wash. It may be the culprit in your skin’s increased dryness. A formula that works in the summertime to get all the stickiness and grime off might be too intense for when the temps drop—consider swapping for something more gentle and hydrating.
We don’t believe in demonizing ingredients, though a few that are known to be drying in high levels are Ethyl Alcohol , Isopropyl Alcohol , and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate . Comfort Cleanse is good for year-round, ultra gentle cleansing, and its formula does not contain the drying suspects mentioned above. Comfort Cleanse is good for year-round, ultra gentle cleansing, and its formula does not contain the drying suspects mentioned above.
Exfoliate regularly Even if you don’t have bumps or KP, think of exfoliating as general skin maintenance. Doing so regularly will help slough off any built-up dead skin cells sitting on the surface of your skin and not allowing your moisturizer to penetrate as deeply as it could. Opt for Buffing Bar for moderate-to-intense physical exfoliation or Smoothing Solution for gentle chemical exfoliation.
Opt for Buffing Bar for moderate-to-intense physical exfoliation or Smoothing Solution for gentle chemical exfoliation. Stay hydrated a. If you got this far, take a giant gulp of water right now. Properly hydrating our bodies is vital for its day-to-day functions, and since the skin is our largest organ, it is one of the first to show signs of dehydration. Keep on sipping! b. Our skin thrives in humidity since that means moisture is readily available in the air all around.
If you’re in a dry climate or the season has changed and your skin is feeling tight, dehydrated and dry, consider getting a humidifier for your room. Humidifiers help add moisture back into otherwise dry environments and in turn, help to hydrate skin. Humidifiers help add moisture back into otherwise dry environments and in turn, help to hydrate skin. Find your groove a. Find a body moisturizer you actually enjoy using.
This might depend on your skin type and/or the textures you prefer and will stick to using consistently. There are two options from our range: Speed Soak is a gel cream and great for acne-prone skin. Carea Cream is a lightweight lotion for normal to dry skin. Use on their own or layer them together for a moisture bomb. Speed Soak is a gel cream and great for acne-prone skin. Carea Cream is a lightweight lotion for normal to dry skin.
Use on their own or layer them together for a moisture bomb. b. Pair moisturizing with other activities you enjoy. For example, blast music, watch a few TikToks, sip on a Diet Coke, or whatever makes your happy, while you apply and rub in your moisturizer. This will help it go by faster and help the habit stick. c.
If you have super dry patches on areas like elbows and knees, try the “slugging method”—apply a thin layer of an ointment-type product (think Aquaphor or Vaseline) on top of your normal moisturizer to help seal in moisture. Do you have useful moisturizing tips of your own? We welcome them—please send yours in.
Tags: Guides, Dry Skin, Keratosis Pilaris, Comfort Cleanse, Buffing Bar — Original, Smoothing Solution, Speed Soak, Carea Cream