Dry skin can be itchy and uncomfortable. It can lead to a host of other problems, from eczema to cracks and wrinkles. Whatever the reason for the dry skin – it could be hereditary or it could be caused by the cold weather – there are certain you should not do if you have a dry skin. Here are some of them.

Take hot, long showers

Hot water dries out the natural oils that moisturize the skin. In order to avoid over-drying the skin, taking a warm shower rather than a hot one and not remaining in the shower for long periods of time can help reduce dry skin.

Use products with high alcohol content

A small amount of alcohol in your products isn’t always a bad thing. However, if a product has high amounts of alcohol, it is very likely that it will dry out your skin. The takeaway here is to make sure to always research the ingredients before buying a new product.

Excessive washing and hard scrubbing

Washing too often with soap is a sure-fire way to get a chronically dry skin. Dry, irritated skin is much more susceptible to bacterial infection because excessive washing removes the protective layer of your skin.

Use harsh facial cleansers

It is important for people with dry skin to avoid using harsh cleansers. There are lots of gentle cleansers out there and some of them are even hydrating.

Ignore Symptoms

Sometimes, dry skin is an indication of a serious condition that requires treatment from a Doctor. Dry skin may be a sign of diabetes and thyroid conditions. Seeking out treatment when dry skin is persistent is important.