If you have sensitive skin, opt for a moisturizer labeled as hypoallergenic, Dr. Shao adds, as it’s less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. It’s also not a bad idea to avoid moisturizers with fragrances and ethanol (a type of alcohol often found in skin care products), as both can be drying and irritating.
2. Moisturize strategically.
Picking the right moisturizer is only the start; you also need to be strategic when applying it. Plan to slather it on your skin as often as possible throughout the day (ideally three to four times if you can swing it!) and right after washing your hands, per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
You should also moisturize within five minutes of getting out of the shower, and no more than 10 minutes tops—any longer and you risk drying out your skin even more. Also, use lukewarm and not hot water, as high temps can strip your skin of moisture. Pat yourself dry instead of rubbing with a towel, as the latter approach can irritate your skin. (As an added bonus, patting will leave your skin a little damp, which is ideal, because then your moisturizer can help seal in that hydration.)
3. Take a colloidal oatmeal bath.
If you haven’t jumped on the colloidal oatmeal train for your skin, now’s the time, Joshua Zeichner, MD, associate professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, tells SELF. “Oats contain anti-inflammatory compounds, known as avenanthramides, that have antioxidant and soothing effects on the skin,” he notes. “Oatmeal compresses and baths have long been used to soothe dry, itchy skin.”1
You can find colloidal oatmeal in many over-the-counter (OTC) moisturizers. You can also whip up your own skin-calming DIY bath using colloidal oats from your local pharmacy or drugstore, Dr. Shao says. Here’s how to do it, per the AAD: Add the oats to a warm bath and soak for 15 minutes. Pat yourself dry after, and add a layer of moisturizer on top.
If cleaning sticky oatmeal out of your tub sounds like a potential nightmare, know that colloidal oatmeal is a finely ground version of the type you’d typically eat, so it should dissolve in water and go down the drain easily too.
4. Chill out with a cold compress or wet wrap.
When you hurt yourself and feel an immediate, throbbing pain—for example, after slamming your finger in a door—applying something cold to the affected area can provide temporary relief.2 That same logic applies to an insatiable itch, which is caused by an overfiring of nerves in the skin, Dr. Zeichner says—which is why placing a cool compress on irritated skin can help combat the urge to scratch.
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