It is therefore important to make sure that you apply moisturizer just before you leave your house. It will help to protect your skin against some of the environmental hazards that may be harmful to your skin. However, it at times becomes difficult to choose the right moisturizer for your skin. There are too many products on the market and it ends up being confusing to the potential buyer. Some factors should be considered when buying moisturizers for dry skin.

You will need to find out which ingredients have been used to make the product. This way you can make sure to avoid products that contain alcohol, mineral oils, synthetic fragrances which are unnecessary. This is because these ingredients are mostly used for preservation purposes and not for moisturizing your skin. Secondly, you will need to know if you need a cream or lotion. In most cases, it is best if you get a cream moisturizer as compared to a lotion. This is because research has shown that dry skin is best hydrated with cream that contains emollients. On average, your moisturizer should contain an SPF of 15 throughout. This is the same case for winter seasons. In addition, at night you should avoid harsh cleanser and use cream that is rich in emollient.

For very sensitive skin, a number of ingredients should be avoided. For example, you should always avoid dyes, preservatives such as formaldehyde and lanolin. Because of your skin being sensitive, it is able to react quickly. Therefore, you should always do a patch test before purchasing your moisturizer. In order to get the best out of your moisturizer, it is always safer to avoid products that contain synthetic. This will not only help in reducing dry skin but it will also help keep your skin supple and soft. Consider the following the next time you go looking for a good moisturizer for dry skin. One of the things you need to be aware of is that a good moisturizer should contain vitamins A and E, hyaluronic acid, Aloe Vera, olive oil, macadamia, Shea butter, coenzyme Q10 or grape seed oil to mention but a few.

1.  Exfoliate your hands

Sometimes it helps to just get rid of old skin cells on the surface of your hands and using  a mild scrub about once a week can help in keeping your hands nice and soft. The scrubbing of your hands will help remove dead skin cells and allow the skin to reveal new ones.

2.  Moisturize your hands

Sounds obvious, but the key is to find the right kind of moisturizer that really absorbs in to the skin – look for natural emollients and moisturizers, such as:

Avocado Oil is very hydrating and proven to stimulate collagen production of your skin and it contains anti-bacterial properties that help to heal your skin. This luxurious oil penetrates deep into the skin and moisturizes it from within. It also has many other benefits for the skin, one of them being removing age spots.

Shea butter, being naturally rich in Vitamins A, E, and F, is a natural emollient and moisturizer that absorbs into the skin quickly and without feeling greasy. Shea butter, being high in fat, has the ability to moisturize and retain the elasticity of the skin. Shea butter has been claimed to have anti-inflammatory properties and makes the skin softer, smoother, and younger looking within a short period of time.

Manuka Honey is a remarkable honey from the flowers of Manuka bushes and is a very effective natural moisturizer. It is extremely rich in antioxidants and stimulates the immune system, as well as enhances the collagen production of the skin and helps keeping your hands wrinkle free.

Vitamin E is very effective in preventing free radical damage to your skin and proven to work externally to correct dry skin.

3.  Using overnight treatment

If you have extremely dry hands you can try to soaking them in olive oil, put on a pair of cotton gloves and wear throughout the night.  Your hands should be very smooth the next morning!

Olive Oil
This wonder product works as an emollient, which means it soothes and softens. Olive oil is one of the best natural treatments you can use for dry skin. You can massage it in to areas such as your knees, elbows and hands or use it as a facial or body moisturizer. Apply a lot on very troublesome spots. For example, are your hands very dry? Apply a generous amount of olive oil on your hands at night before going to bed, put on a pair of cotton gloves, and go to sleep. Your hands will look and feel so much better in the morning. You can also massage it into dry hair and scalp.
When buying olive oil, look for the extra-virgin one. Extra-virgin olive oil is taken from the first pressing of the olives, and is the purest form of oil you can find.

Bananas
Bananas are great for dry, sensitive and/or aging skin. They contain vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium and the natural emollients in the banana will soothe and hydrate your dry skin.
Mash a ripe banana, apply it to your face or whatever part of your body that is excessively dry, leave it on for 2o minutes, rinse off with warm water and then moisturize.

Honey
Honey has been a part of the natural skin care systems since centuries and is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. It will hydrate and rejuvenate your dry skin leaving it looking and feeling beautiful.
Here is a mask that is really great for wrinkled and dry skin:
Mash a ½ ripe avocado in a bowl and stir in ¼ cup honey. Apply to your face and leave on for about 10 minutes. Rinse with a cool washcloth.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal’s mild exfoliating, softening and cleansing properties can be an effective home remedy to treat dry skin, and skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Many people who suffer from eczema say that an oatmeal bath can be a huge relief for their itchy skin! You can also apply an oatmeal mask directly to your face. Here is one recipe for you to try:
First massage your face with 1 tablespoon of dry oatmeal, then rinse it off with warm water. Next, mix ½ banana and 2 ounces of plain yogurt and apply to the face. Leave the mask on for about 20 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.