Dear Mary,

- Brett

Dear Brett,

Dry skin is definitely a problem for many people, especially during the cold winter months. Dry skin is most likely to occur on the hands, feet, face, arms, and legs, though it can occur in other places, as well.

Fortunately, you can work to prevent dry skin by following these easy steps:

• Make sure you are adequately hydrated. Drink at least eight glasses of water each day, more than that when you're active or if you spend a lot of time out in the heat.
• Protect your skin from the sun. Use sunscreen if your skin is going to be exposed to the sun for any length of time. A great choice is Janson Beckett's Anti-Aging Sunblock.
• If the air is dry where you live, use a humidifier in your home, especially during the winter months.
• Avoid taking long baths, as this can dry out your skin. Instead, take short showers in lukewarm water. However, if you can't resist the occasional bath, use bath oils, and don't stay in too long. Doing so will strip your skin of moisture and make you look (and feel) like a prune, to boot!
• Use a gentle, moisturizing cleanser such as Lavanya's new BioActive Cleanser, and avoid products that are harsh or abrasive.

Treating Dry Skin
To treat skin that is already dry, first exfoliate the skin, and then use a hypoallergenic moisturizer such as an ointment, cream, or lotion. You'll want something very high quality such as Robanda's Multi Therapy Moisturizer. For extremely dry skin, you can also use petroleum jelly or other skin lubricants. To help heal very dry skin, apply moisturizers several times a day, particularly after you shower to hold in moisture from the water.

Follow these simple tips for preventing and treating dry skin, and you'll have younger-looking, smoother, softer skin before you know it.