I am from Chennai where it's sultry most part of the year. My skin is very dry .how do I keep my skin moist. .am 55 years old.

Question

1. Prevent baths and showers from making dry skin worse.�When your skin is dry, be sure to:
Close the bathroom door�Limit your time in the shower or bath to 5 or 10 minutesUse warm rather than hot water�Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser�Apply enough cleanser to remove dirt and oil, but avoid using so much that you see a thick latherBlot your skin gently dry with a towelSlather on the moisturizer immediately after drying your skin
2. Apply moisturizer immediately after washing.�Ointments, creams, and lotions (moisturizers) work by trapping existing moisture in your skin. To trap this much-needed moisture, you need to apply a moisturizer within few minutes of:
Drying off after a shower or bathWashing your face or hands
3. Use an ointment or cream rather than a lotion.�Ointments and creams are more effective and less irritating than lotions. Look for a cream or ointment that contains an oil such as olive oil or jojoba oil. Shea butter also works well. Other ingredients that help to soothe dry skin include lactic acid, urea, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, glycerin, lanolin, mineral oil, and petrolatum.
4. Choose non-irritating clothes and laundry detergent.�When our skin is dry and raw even clothes and laundry detergent can be irritating. To avoid this:
Wear cotton or silk under your clothing made of wool or another material that feels roughUse laundry detergent labeled ?hypoallergenic?8. Stay warm without cozying up to a fireplace or other heat source.�Sitting in front of an open flame or other heat source can dry your skin.�
5. Add moisture to the air.�Plug in a humidifier. If you can check your home heating system, find out if you have a humidifier on the system ? and whether it?s working.

Arghya Majumder · Accepted Answer

1. Prevent baths and showers from making dry skin worse.�When your skin is dry, be sure to:
Close the bathroom door�Limit your time in the shower or bath to 5 or 10 minutesUse warm rather than hot water�Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser�Apply enough cleanser to remove dirt and oil, but avoid using so much that you see a thick latherBlot your skin gently dry with a towelSlather on the moisturizer immediately after drying your skin
2. Apply moisturizer immediately after washing.�Ointments, creams, and lotions (moisturizers) work by trapping existing moisture in your skin. To trap this much-needed moisture, you need to apply a moisturizer within few minutes of:
Drying off after a shower or bathWashing your face or hands
3. Use an ointment or cream rather than a lotion.�Ointments and creams are more effective and less irritating than lotions. Look for a cream or ointment that contains an oil such as olive oil or jojoba oil. Shea butter also works well. Other ingredients that help to soothe dry skin include lactic acid, urea, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, glycerin, lanolin, mineral oil, and petrolatum.
4. Choose non-irritating clothes and laundry detergent.�When our skin is dry and raw even clothes and laundry detergent can be irritating. To avoid this:
Wear cotton or silk under your clothing made of wool or another material that feels roughUse laundry detergent labeled ?hypoallergenic?8. Stay warm without cozying up to a fireplace or other heat source.�Sitting in front of an open flame or other heat source can dry your skin.�
5. Add moisture to the air.�Plug in a humidifier. If you can check your home heating system, find out if you have a humidifier on the system ? and whether it?s working.