I have this dry patch of skin on my right leg and it’s always the worst after I shower. Also, that’s my hand in the picture above. Clearly winter is not treating me well!

Anyways, as I was researching this post, I found that hot water is actually really bad for dry skin. Totally unexpected because, well, water provides hydration and dry skin needs that. However, water at a high temperature actually strips away your skin’s natural oils, leaving it even dryer. EVERYTHING MAKES SENSE NOW. Can’t believe I didn’t put it together sooner that the hot water was irritating my dry skin even further. Guess you live and you learn, you know?

This doesn’t mean you can’t take a hot shower, though. Just limit the time you spend soaking up all that steaming water or switch over to lukewarm after about ten minutes or so. Also, StyleCaster recommends applying Vaseline or coconut oil before showering to keep skin from drying. I’m definitely going to try that!

Don’t forget to check out: the one thing you shouldn’t put on a beauty mark and drugstore beauty rip-offs

[Photo: Jonathan Galan]