Scratch a small area on your arm or leg with your fingernail. If it leaves a white mark, your skin is dry and needs both moisture and exfoliation (removal of the outermost layer of dead skin cells). On that note, it’s easier to head off dryness at night than to reverse it the next day. Per Chen Lyga your skin switches from 'protect' mode to 'repair' mode, and it's time for the skin to recover from the day's stresses. Melatonin and human growth hormone (HGH) production are boosted, which in turn accelerates skin regeneration.
If you have dry, itchy skin, protect it with the clothes you wear. Choose natural fabrics like linen and cotton because these breathe better than synthetics like rayon. Soft fabrics keep your skin in better shape as well. So even if you like to wear wool on the outside, be sure to have something softer on the inside next to your skin.
