How to Treat Dry Skin: Parched Knees and Elbows We Americans are a hygienic breed. We're taught from birth to thoroughly suds our entire bodies every day, lest we offend everyone we encounter with our pungent stench. But according to experts, this type of over-washing is unnecessary and can seriously dry out our skin.
You may want to cut down your shower time, and while you're at it, use warm water instead of scalding-hot H2O. And when you bathe, use soap only once or twice a week (we know, gasp!) -- except for on personal areas, Schultz clarifies, which should be washed daily (phew).
Many soaps strip your body of its natural oils, exacerbating dry skin, so look for gentle, fragrance-free soaps with moisturizing ingredients like omega oils and shea. On extra-dry areas like knees and elbows, gently exfoliate with a body scrub once or twice a week to clear away the top layer of dead skin cells.
Once you get out of the shower, be sure to slather your skin in a fragrance-free moisturizer while it's still damp and freshly exfoliated. This will lock in moisture, helping your skin feel smooth and soft for longer.
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