Bath Routine for Dry Skin

The routine at a glance

1. 1Set the bath short and warm
2. 2Cleanse gently, once
3. 3Keep it short and warm
4. 4Pat dry, don't rub
5. 5Moisturize damp, then again

The 5 steps

1. Set the bath short and warm. Limit baths and showers to five to ten minutes, using warm water as the routine base, then keep the door closed while you soak.
2. Cleanse gently, once. Wash your skin with a gentle cleanser, using lukewarm water and your hands, then rinse fully.
3. Keep it short and warm. A short shower or bath in warm water can add moisture to your skin, so use the routine time to breathe and rinse, not to scrub.
4. Pat dry, don't rub. Rubbing your skin dry can irritate extremely dry skin, so gently pat your skin with a clean, dry towel, then move straight to the next routine step.
5. Moisturize damp, then again. Apply your fragrance-free moisturizer when your skin is still damp after taking a shower or bath, then apply moisturizer several times a day as the routine checklist says.

Two mistakes that undo the routine

• Long hot soaks every night — limit baths and showers to five to ten minutes, using warm water, then rinse and get out.
• Towel-drying hard and dressing late — rubbing your skin dry can irritate extremely dry skin, so gently pat your skin with a clean, dry towel, then apply moisturizer while damp.