1
Moisturize your skin regularly and immediately after bathing. When you get out of a bath or shower, your skin is still porous, which allows it to better absorb moisturizers. Within 2 minutes of getting out of the water, apply a hydrating, cream-based moisturizer to help lock moisture into your skin and keep it from drying out.[9]
Dry skin can cause cracks or fissures to form in your skin, so it’s super important that you moisturize it often.[10]
Keeping your skin moisturized can also help protect your skin barrier. It's important to keep your skin barrier intact as much as possible so you don't let in bacteria or allergens that can lead to inflammation and irritation.[11]
Effective moisturizing creams include Vanicream, CeraVe, and Cetaphil.
2
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Thinner skin can be more at risk of bruises and tears. Put on a long-sleeved shirt and wear long pants to help prevent cuts and tears on your arms and legs.[12]
You may want to wear 2 layers of clothes if you’re doing tasks such as yard work or gardening just to be extra safe.
You could also wrap gauze bandages around your forearms for extra protection.
3
Avoid scratching dry and itchy skin. If your skin feels itchy or dry, apply some hydrating moisturizer. Scratching can damage and traumatize your skin, so try to avoid it at all costs.[13]
4
Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher when you go outside. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun can damage your skin and cause it to age more quickly. If you plan to go out in the sun, always apply sunscreen to cover your entire face and body.[14]
Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, or more often if you’re sweating or swimming to keep your skin protected.
5
Put on a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face from the sun. In addition to sunscreen, a broad-brimmed cap can provide some further protection for the sensitive skin on your face. Before you head out into the sun, put on a cap with a brim wide enough to cover your face.[15]
An extra-wide brim can also help protect your neck as well.