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.

There is always an excuse to know keep up with proper skin care: I'm tired, I'll do it tomorrow, It's not really going to make that much of a difference. However, by skipping your skin care routine you are actually making your skin suffer needlessly as well as exposing it to possible infection. Using the right moisturizer will always be the best way of treating dry skin, however, if you skimp on your cleanser and end up using the wrong one for your skin, you'll actually be counteracting the effects of your moisturizer. So, instead of reaching for the wrong product make sure that you invest a little time and money on finding all the right products for your skin.

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 isn't too difficult to determine what type of dry skin you have. For example, if you are using a creamy cleansers and moisturizers but are still suffering from itchiness and tightness, then you probably have very dry skin.

Discover a Basic Cleansing Routine for Dry Skin and Really Dry Skin

The first and most important part of any skin care routine is cleansing. 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.

Follow with alcohol-free and fragrance-free toner. 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 use chemical exfoliants such as products that contain AHAs or natural exfoliants. Some natural exfoliants are oatmeal mixed with grapefruit juice, milk mixed with honey.

Moisturizing your skin is vital for treating dry face or dry skin. In order to keep dry skin moist you need to use a creamy cleanser and good moisturizer. The moisturizer should be applied frequently during the day. If you choose an oil - as a cleanser or moisturizer - you may not need to reapply as often.

Tips to Keep Skin Moisturized

Creamy and oily cleansers and moisturizers are a good choice for maintaining proper dry skin care, however, if not used properly they can actually make your dry skin worse. It is important to observe the following pointers:

*After showering or cleansing, don't allow the water to evaporate from your face before applying a moisturizer. This will help keep the moisture locked in.

*Do not take 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.

*You should reapply your moisturizer as often as necessary.