Keeping in What You Need . . . What’s one of the most important and simplest steps you can take to improve your skin? Moisturizing, of course. Skin that’s properly moisturized, or “hydrated,” is softer, more elastic and more supple. So it automatically looks better – more glowing and youthful – and feels better, too. Keeping Out What You Don’t! Moisturizing your skin regularly also allows it to function better as a barrier. A barrier to what? Well, just think of all the things you encounter in a day that you definitely don’t want inside your body! Pollution, smoke, allergens, toxins and irritants have a harder time getting to sensitive skin that presents a strong barrier because it’s moist and resilient. Moisturizing, in other words, just helps your skin do one of its jobs even better! If, on the other hand, your skin is dry or cracked, it is less resistant to irritants and therefore more open to assault from the outside. If it is itchy, you could scratch. That just irritates it more and weakens it, and can sometimes even result in wounds and infection. In addition, the symptoms of many skin conditions can be calmed down with proper moisturizing. Skin that is maximally hydrated is less likely to itch or peel– or feel uncomfortably tight and stretched. A Smoothing, Soothing Part of Your Daily Routine For all these reasons, moisturizing at least twice daily, morning and evening, should be something you do every day, without even thinking about it– just like brushing your teeth or washing your face! Hands, face, feet and body all need proper moisturizing to feel and look their very best– and to resist damage from both the outside and inside. If you need to moisturize even more often throughout the day to keep your skin looking and feeling good, by all means do so. It’s hard to overdo it– let the way your skin feels be your guide! How to tell if you have dry skin: 1. Skin feels tight, stretched or itchy, particularly after bathing or washing 2. You can see fine cracks if you look up close at your skin. 3. Skin looks taut, parched or papery. How to tell if your skin is flaky: 1. Draw your fingernail along the skin on your shin or forearm. Does it leave a white trail? 2. Rub your skin briskly with a cloth. Do you see a fine dust in the air? 3. Does your skin appear whitish when it's dry–and smoother when you apply lotion? Getting the most from your moisturizer There’s no mystery to proper moisturizing. Just follow the simple steps below: 1. After a warm – not hot – bath or shower, towel gently until skin is just damp. Then apply the Eucerin moisturizer of your choice liberally, to seal in dampness, and rub in. 2. Give special attention to problem spots– heels, shins, elbows, hands, knees and any place that’s dry or itchy or often exposed to the environment. 3. If skin is terribly dry or cracked, cover it after moisturizing with gloves, socks or clothing to help the layer of lotion stay on longer and make it more effective. 4. Use an ointment for chapped, cracked or scaling skin. It’s useful on chapped lips, minor burns and diaper rash, to help skin heal fast. 5. Don't scratch if your skin gets itchy– it will only make things worse! Choose a non-sensitizing, moisturizing itch-relief product instead and use it liberally and often– at first sign of itch. 6. Choose the right Eucerin for the job. There are special Eucerin moisturizers, and an excellent itch-relief spray, for the hands and body– plus a collection of moisturizers specifically for the face. Aquaphor is a good choice when skin is chafed, cracked, recovering or terribly dry. Many people prefer deeper moisturizing overnight, a lighter formulation during the day– or require more help in the winter, when the air is dry and cold. Check the Products section for more help choosing your Eucerin. 7. Check this section if you have a specific skin condition you need information on. To find Eucerin® and Aquaphor® in a store near you– or to buy online– click here.