Our Top 5 Moisturizing Tips for Your Skin

We all know that dewy, hydrated skin looks gorgeous. If you've got sensitive, acne-prone or chronically dry skin, you likely struggle with maintaining a fresh, soft complexion.

The experts at Fake Bake care about your skin. We are constantly searching for innovative ways to achieve a natural-looking faux tan, and we also have a deep understanding of the ins and outs of nourishment and hydration for your skin.

For a glow that looks lit from within, proper skincare is important. We've put together our top five moisturizing tips for your skin to help you achieve your softest, most healthy-looking skin from head to toe.

1. Play it Cool.

Those hot, relaxing showers or baths may be drying out your skin. While the steam can relax muscles and feel calming after a stressful day, it's actually robbing natural emollients from your skin. If a hot bath is necessary, limit it to about 10 minutes. Pouring in a moisturizing bubble bath product can help counteract some of the leaching effect, as well. Showers should ideally be warm, not hot, to avoid the drying-out effect and should also be limited to about 10 minutes. Once you're out of the water, make sure you're moisturizing the right way (see No. 3 for more on that).

Keep in mind that other water sources can dry your skin, too, like chlorinated pools and the ocean. We're not saying you shouldn't enjoy the beach or a dip in the pool - just pay attention to how long you're in the water and treat your skin kindly before and afterward.

2. Exfoliate Well.

When skin dries out, it goes into survival mode. That means holding on to dead skin cells like a mad hoarder. Do you notice crusty flakes on your elbows, knees or forehead? Before you can deliver hydration to your living skin cells, you've got to clear out those hangers-on. That means exfoliating. Not all exfoliants are equal, though! For example, salt scrubs can strip away your skin's natural oils along with those flakes. A sweet sugar scrub is a better choice, though it can be harsh on sensitive skin.

Your best bet is to experiment with high-quality exfoliants that contain a bit of coconut oil, which will deeply hydrate while sloughing off those nasty dead cells. Glycolic acid shows up as a chemical exfoliant in peels and spa treatments, but use it carefully. It can encourage your skin to produce more natural collagen, but it will make you more prone to sunburn. That means you've got to be diligent about sunscreen (see more on that in No. 5). Once the coast is clear, new skin cells will have room to breathe fresh life into your complexion.

3. Hydrate the Right Way

It can be tempting to just slather on the thickest moisturizer possible when your skin feels dry. Not so fast! You can get the most benefit from moisturizers with a little planning. First, apply moisturizer immediately after a shower or bath while your skin is still damp. That means toweling off gently to leave a little water on your skin, which the moisturizer will lock in. Seriously dry skin benefits the most from body oils that mimic the skin's natural emollients.

Second, moisturize often. A quick spritz of an oil-free moisturizing spray a couple times a day does wonders for replenishing hydration. If you prefer hand and body lotions, toss a travel size into your purse so you can reapply frequently, especially after sun exposure (more on that in a minute) or a dip in chlorinated water.

4. Soothe Acne-Prone Skin

Moisturizing breakouts probably seems counterintuitive. Afterall, they're little volcanoes of oil, right? Not exactly. Acne is an inflammation of the skin, and dry skin is irritated skin. In fact, when your skin gets dried out, it responds by producing more oils - which only makes breakouts worse. Over-the-counter acne treatments generally halt oil production, making it all the more important to moisturize if you're trying to zap zits with them. Opt for lightweight, oil-free facial moisturizers that contain soothing botanicals or hyaluronic acid, which helps your skin maintain hydration and produce more of its own plumping agents.

5. Protect Your Skin

Sun damage is a real threat to your skin. Even if you're not outside baking poolside for hours on end, everyday sun exposure can dry your skin, cause sunburn and ultimately make you look older with wrinkles and spots. No one wants that! The general rule is to use sunscreen with SPF 30 on your face every day - even in the winter - and reapply often, especially after sweating or swimming. Is there a safe way to tan without ruining your dewy complexion? Yes, with a sunless tanner.

The best self-tanner for fair skin with freckles, peachy skin or darker skin tones protects your skin by leaving out harsh chemicals and parabens. Whether it's a gradual self-tanning lotion, an instant tan liquid or a luxurious mousse, these products enhance your skin's natural pigments to bring out a healthy glow without odor, orange tints or stains on your clothes. For the ultimate self-tanning self-care, indulge in Fake Bake's innovative Tanning Water that goes on crystal clear, calms your skin with passionflower extract and gradually develops a natural-looking glow. Just remember to use sunscreen to protect your faux tan and moisturize often to make it last!