It has happened to you before … at some point, you went out in public with ashy skin. It’s hardly desirable and you may be the butt of a few jokes. But aside from the emotional distress, leaving your skin dehydrated can negatively affect your overall health.

In the medical community, dry skin is known as xeroderma. It’s a condition where the skin loses moisture and begins to crack and peel away. Dry skin usually occurs in the winter because lower temperatures create relatively low humidity. As a result of the drop in humidity, your skin loses moisture and gets that “ashy” look. Hydrating your skin is important, because as skin loses moisture, it cracks and peels and can even cause cuts in severe cases.

Here are some quick tips to maintaining healthy moisturized skin:
Apply lotion after swimming. The chemicals in swimming pools can dry out the skin, requiring replenishment. Try using dry skin formulas along with aloe and cocoa butter mixtures for maximum control.

Avoid excessive showering and bathing. Showers can also dry out your skin. Remember to apply moisturizers after taking showers. Also be mindful of the types of soaps you use, as they may also contribute to xeroderma.

Invest in water softeners. Sometimes the hardness of your shower water can cause xeroderma and even eczema. Water softeners eliminate the chemicals in water. –delgie jones II