Dry skin care can be a problem if you have eczema. Dry skin is prone to itching. For those with eczema, scratching only makes it worse. But there are some things you can do to help dry skin and itching.

Bathing:
Bathing moisturizes, yet also dries the skin. Bathing really moisturizes your skin, however, once you dry your skin off, the little bit of water that is left on your skin starts to evaporate. Your skin then can become too dry and crack. These teeny cracks let more moisture escape from beneath the surface of your skin and evaporate thus accelerating the drying process. To hydrate your skin, your bath should be lukewarm and approximately 10-20 minutes.

Exfoliating:
Avoid too much exfoliating and using washcloths, rubbing, scrubbing or using harsh soap. We have many eczema sufferers that can use any of our soaps. But our customers that have particularly troublesome skin eczema like our Tea Tree, Baby me and Oat n' honey. Pat-don't rub-the skin dry with a towel.

Moisturizers:
To help your dry skin keep the moisture, use a moisturizing skin care product immediately (within 3 minutes) following your bath. Moisturizers are necessary for dry skin care because they provide a barrier that keeps the moisture in your skin from evaporating.

Picking the right moisturizer:
We prefer using moisturizing oils that not only form a barrier to retain moisture but can actually penetrate the skin. Our customers use both the Shea Butter Lotion Stick and the Tea tree Lotion Stick for after bath as well as during the day skin moisturizing.

Some moisturizers can be irritating to the skin because they may contain preservatives, alpha-hydroxy and urea. Therefore, it is recommended that you use moisturizers and soaps that do not contain potentially irritating substances. Alabu products do not contain these soap ingredients.

Tips for your daily routine:

There are many products on the market today that promise younger looking skin. Many are quite expensive, some have unpleasant side effects and very few offer noticeable results. I know that most of us feel better when we look good. But maybe what we really should be striving for is to look and feel healthy. The natural way to do this is to start with good nutrition and hydration. After that daily skin care can make you look and feel great.

Here are some tips for your daily routine:

• Washing morning and night with a gentle cleanser is a must. We like the Baby Me or Oat N honey if you have dry or sensitive skin. Any of our soaps will clean your skin without stripping its natural oils.
• When you wash, try gently using a circular upward motion on your face and neck.
• After cleansing, and thoroughly rinsing apply a moisturizer to your face and neck. We like the Baby Face because it is so light and absorbs quickly into your skin.
• Drink water. Most people don’t drink the recommended 8 glasses a day. It will help keep away wrinkles from your skin and also benefit your whole body inside and out.

On occasion you may feel like some extra pampering. Here are some ideas for spa pampering in the comfort of your own home, as well as information about the processes.

Exfoliation: Exfoliation is the removal of the oldest dead skin cells that cling to the skin's outermost surface. Your skin is constantly making new skin cells at the dermis (lower layer of skin) and pushing them to the epidermis (surface of skin). As this cycle continues, the older skin cells slowly die and fill with keratin. This keratin is what protects our skin from the elements. However, as we age the cycle slows down causing skin cells to compile unevenly on the surface of the skin. This is what can cause a dull, rough, and dry look to the skins complexion. This is where exfoliation can be especially beneficial.

Exfoliation is an important part of both facials and body treatments. When done correctly, exfoliation leaves the skin feeling smoother and fresher looking. Exfoliation also makes penetration easier for your moisturizer.

Be sure to never over exfoliate, meaning once a week or every three to five days is sufficient. Keep in mind to use the circular motion as described earlier. Be gentle. Using abrasive objects or substances is unnecessary. Remember, you're only removing dead skin cells so it shouldn't take a lot of pressure or scrubbing.

Some people have a lengthy and specific skin care routine that they like to follow, while others may not have the time to be so in depth. Keeping your skin care routine simple doesn't mean you can't have beautiful skin too. Using a gentle bar of Alabu soap along with a light moisturizer, like Baby Face can be the extent of your face care routine if you're looking to keep it simple. Alabu soap is effective when it comes to removing dirt, but amazingly gentle because it contains moisturizing oils as well as naturally occurring glycerin.

If you choose to use a moisturizer around your eyes, be sure to apply it with your pinky or ring finger. Since these are your weakest fingers it allows you to apply it gently with care to the sensitive areas around your eyes.

Use of a mask either weekly or bi-weekly can help to renew your pores. Keep in mind that cleansing is important before applying a mask. When removing a mask, be gentle and use warm water. Always apply a moisturizer after using a mask. We have some mask you can make yourself on our recipes page.

Keep in mind that protecting your skin from the sun can go a long way to reduce the age your skin looks. Protecting your skin from the sun when you go outdoors can be a big factor when it comes to healthy your skin. Though some people don't like to hear this, tanning is often associated with premature signs of aging in the skin.

Good skin care involves a variety of tasks, including eating healthy and drinking plenty of water. While skin care on the outside with the use of exfoliants and moisturizers seems like the logical obvious way to create healthy looking skin, we can't forget that what we put on the inside makes a difference too.