Dry skin can be difficult to live with. It can cause irritation, itchiness and redness. It is very important to deal with this skin problem, because healthy skin is what keeps your entire body healthy.

You may not think that the proper skin care routine is important to your health, however, by not following the right skin care routine you are suffering needlessly and exposing your skin and body to possible infection. Moisturizers are crucial for dry skin, but if you use the wrong cleansing products you'll actually be counteracting its effects. So, be sure that every single one of the products you choose for your skin is the right one.

Keep in mind that the proper routine is about finding the right products for your skin as well as applying them in the correct manner. Here's an overview to get you started on your search for the right routine.

Before getting started with the proper skin care routine, you need to determine your skin type. In the case of dry skin you need to find out if you have regular dry skin or really dry skin. It's really quite simple to determine what type of dry skin you have, for example, if you are currently using a creamy cleanser but still suffer from itchiness and tightness, then you probably have very dry skin.

The Right Cleansing Routine for Dry Skin and Really Dry Skin

Cleansing is the first and most important part of any skin care routine. If you have dry skin, you will want to start with a creamy cleanser. If you have very dry skin, use non-comedogenic oil like olive oil.

Once you've finished cleansing you should use a toner that is both alcohol and fragrance-free. This will help you remove any excess residue. Don't forget to exfoliate once a week.

Facial scrubs are not recommended for dry skin. In this case reach for chemical exfoliants like products with AHAs or a natural exfoliants. Some natural exfoliants are oatmeal mixed with grapefruit juice, milk mixed with honey.

Moisturizing is crucial when trying to treat dry face or dry skin. Choose a creamy cleanser and apply a moisturizer frequently during the day. If you choose to use an oil, you may not need to reapply a moisturizer as often.

Moisturizing Tips to Keep in Mind

Creamy and oily cleansers and moisturizers are a good choice for dry skin care. But if you do not use them correctly, you can actually make your dry skin worse. It is important to observe the following pointers:

*Apply your moisturizer BEFORE the water on your skin has evaporated completely. This will help keep the moisture locked in.

*Avoid long, hot showers. By staying too long under the shower you can actually strip your skin of its natural oils, which in turn will make your skin drier.

*Reapply your moisturizer as often as you need it during the day.