Pretty much everyone has dry skin at one time or another. The common solution is to just slather on some lotion. For people with only occasional dry skin or who don’t mind using lotion, that’s fine but for anyone who has severe or continual skin constantly reapplying can get tiresome.

1. Stay Hydrated

Dry skin can actually be a sign of dehydration. Before trying more extreme measures, start drinking more water daily. It will most likely help your dry skin, even dehydration isn’t the problem and drinking water has so many additional benefits it’s just a good habit to develop. Limiting alcohol consumption and increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables can also help keep you hydrated.

2. Take Shorter, Cooler Showers

Ironically, taking longer showers can worsen dry skin. Think about how your fingers become prune-y if you stay in the bath for too long. This happens because the moisture is actually drawn out of your skin when you’re in contact with water for too long.  Also, avoid hot water. Keep your shower temperature to a moderate “warm” temperature. Hot water can strip your skin of natural oils that help keep the moisture in. When out of the shower, gently pat your skin dry rather than rubbing, which can aggravate already irritated skin.

3. Check Your Current Products

Some chemicals in shampoos, laundry detergents and cleaning supplies you may use in your home can cause sensitive skin to become irritated, a case that can often be mistaken for dry skin. If your hands are often dry but you don’t have problems with other parts of your body, try wearing gloves when cleaning. If other methods aren’t working, the next time you buy cleaning and beauty supplies try to find products made with natural ingredients, are unscented or fragrance-free, labeled as “hypoallergenic” or make your own at home with natural ingredients you know won’t irritate your skin.

4. Use a Humidifier

In winter months, colder temperature combined with home heating systems can dry out the air in your home which, in turn, dries out your skin. Try using a humidifier in your home to reintroduce moisture to the air. Place the humidifier in a safe location in your bedroom then turn it on right before going to sleep at night. This will help to heal your dry skin as you sleep. Also, avoid being too near a direct heat source like a space heater or fireplace. Although this can feel great on cold winter nights, it can quickly dry out your skin.

5. Protect Your Skin From the Sun

Sunburns are notorious for causing the skin to peel and dry out but even if you’re not getting burned to the point of looking like a lobster, the sun could still be damaging your skin. Damaged skin isn’t as healthy and can have a harder time retaining moisture. Make sure to wear sunscreen or cover up before spending a significant amount of time in the sun. If the skin on your face is consistently dry and sun damaged, try a makeup that has an SPF rating to still get the benefits of sun protection without having to put on sunscreen every day.