Ashy skin is not just a condition for African Americans. Everyone can have ashy looking skin if the skin gets too dry. A person does not have to suffer from ashy and flaky looking skin any longer. Ashy looking skin is common on the elbows and knees. It can still be found on other parts of the body if the skin is really dry. There are some tips to help the skin look good again and get rid of the appearance of an ashy look.

Go Alcohol Free
Addition alcohol is skin care products can do more harm then good to the skin. Alcohol can cause the skin to become even more dried out and flaky looking. Alcohol is often found in heavily scented body scrubs and other products. Before purchasing a body care product check the label and make sure that alcohol is not on the ingredient list.

Turn Down the Heat
Hot temperatures can cause the skin to become dry and ashy. When a person is in the shower for a prolonged period of time and have the water on hot they are drying out their skin. Instead of taking a hot shower the water temperature should be turned down to warm. This is much better for the skin and will help it from drying out as easily. Heat such as electric or propane is used in the winter to stay warm. This same heat is cause the skin to become dry as well. Set the thermostat to 65 digress when possible. The room will still be at a comfortable temperature without drying out the skin.

Get A Humidifier
Keeping moisture in the air is very important for healthy look skin. Certain times a year especially in the winter months the air becomes very dry. This makes skin look ashy. A humidifier can bring the moisture back into the air. This will help restore the moisture that is used from heating the home and allow the skin a chance to stay healthy.

Exfoliate
Exfoliating the skin will help remove dead skin cells allow the new skin cells to be present. The skin should be exfoliated at least once a week. When this is done all the dry and ashy skin cells will be removed. Skin can look ashy when dead cells build up. A gentle scrub or sugar mixture can remove these dead cells allowing the new and fresh cells to be seen.

Drink Water
Water is the best way to keep the body hydrated. Water will remove toxins from the skin cells naturally by flushing them out. Water will also keep the skin hydrated by proving the moisture it needs. Water will help the skin have a healthier appearance. Water will keep the cells of the skin hydrated from the inside out and keep the appearance of ashy looking spots down.

Use a Light Moisturizer
The skin needs a way to replenish the moisture that it has lost during the day. Even people with oily skin conditions can still have spots of the skin that appear dry and ashy. A light moisturizer should be used. It can be dry and fragrance free for those with sensitivity issues. Creams and lotions with a light weight formula will not clog up the pores of the cell. It will provide the body with the moisture it needs and nothing else. A person should use lotion often. Lotion needs to be applied right after getting out of the shower. The pores are open at this time and will suck up the moisture and the nutrients in the lotion. A person can also apply lotion throughout the day when their skin feels like it is rough or cracking. Right before bedtime is another time that cream should be applied. This will give the skin the entire night to take in the moisture. If one brand of lotion is not working properly do not be afraid to try another brand that may work better.

These are just some ways to get rid of an ashy skin appearance. It is important to keep the skin hydrated and fight off moisture lost to dryness including dryness in the air. These tips can have the skin looking healthy and glowing again in no time.