Dry skin is a common issue many people face, especially during the colder winter months. It's never too early in the warmer months to begin taking care of your skin to prep for winter skin care woes in order to avoid them.

Dry, flaky skin can be uncomfortable and itchy. The good news is dry skin is preventable and treatable with the right skin care routine. Follow this guide to learn tips for keeping your skin hydrated, moisturized and soft all year long.

Use Lukewarm Water for Bathing and Washing
Taking very hot showers or baths can strip your skin of its natural oils leading to dryness. Try to use lukewarm water instead that is a more comfortable temperature for your skin. Also when washing your face or hands, use lukewarm water instead of hot to prevent excess drying.

Moisturize Daily
The key to combatting dryness is keeping skin hydrated and moisturized. Apply an oil-based body moisturizer like olive oil, sunflower seed oil or avocado oil each morning and night to hydrate and nourish skin. Look for moisturizers the penetrate the skin, rather than moisturizers loaded with petroleum or mineral oil. Those types of moisturizes will sit on top of the skin, filling in the cracks giving the appearance of well hydrated skin, however they don't moisturize at all. 

Exfoliate Regularly
Use a physical body scrub or chemical exfoliant 2-3 times per week to slough off dull, dry skin cells. This helps reveal the newer, softer skin underneath. But don’t over-exfoliate which can cause irritation.

Read: The Benefits of Exfoliating

Use a Humidifier
Running a humidifier in your home or office helps add moisture back into the air which gets depleted in colder or dry climates from indoor heating. The humid air helps prevent moisture loss from the skin. Aim to keep indoor humidity around 30-50%.

Eat Healthy Fats
Your diet affects your skin. Eat foods rich in healthy fats like avocados, nuts, olive oil and fatty fish. These provide the building blocks for skin cells and hydrate from the inside out.

Try this Stuffed Eggplant Recipe

Apply Natural Oils
Natural plant oils like olive, coconut, almond and jojoba are great for hydrating and moisturizing dry skin. Use them straight or look for skin care products containing these nourishing oils. (A Girl's Gotta Spa! body lotions contain olive oil and sunflower seed oil, our body elixir contains avocado oil, sweet almond oil and jojoba oil, and our scrubs contain both sunflower and safflower seed oils. Find them all on our natural body care page.)

Wear Sunscreen
Sun exposure can damage skin, causing dryness and irritation. Always wear an SPF 30 or greater sunscreen when going outside even in winter (snow and ice are great reflectors of the sun, which can damage skin.) Reapply every 2 hours if sweating or swimming.

Stay Hydrated
Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily to keep your skin cells hydrated and running efficiently. Dehydration causes skin to become excessively dry.

Follow these tips to protect your skin from dryness and keep it looking and feeling soft, smooth and supple all season long. Be diligent with moisturizing, exfoliating and hydrating from both inside and out to prevent tight, flaky, itchy skin. With the right body care routine, you can maintain healthy, moisturized skin even in cooler fall and winter weather.