Many women find that their skin becomes drier after the age of 35.This may be a welcome change for those who suffered from oily skin earlier in life, but women with normal or dry skin may find that their skin appears flaky, tight, and lacks the lustrous appearance that moisture imparts. Skin dryness is caused not only by moisture loss from the skin's outer layer, but also from a lack of moisture moving upward from the underlying layers of the skin. Applying a moisturizer softens and moisturizes the top layer of skin, but the effects are only temporary. To have soft, pliable, moist skin, you need to lubricate your skin from the inside. Drink at least six glasses of pure water daily and eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits to keep your body tissues well-hydrated. Don't wait to drink until you are thirsty because by then you are already dehydrated. Instead, keep a container of water handy for sipping throughout the day. If you find plain water boring, try making unsweetened or lightly sweetened herbal teas such as linden flower, chamomile, or mint. A moist external environment also provides moisture for your skin and helps to keep cells plump. Use a humidifier during the winter months to counteract the drying effects of indoor heating and also during the summer if you use air conditioning or if you live in a dry climate. Misting your skin frequently with pure mineral water or a facial mist containing floral waters and aromatherapy essential oils provides an immediate and refreshing boost of moisture for your skin throughout the day. Soaking in a warm bath is an effective way of hydrating the skin of your entire body. Avoid excessively hot water, because it can remove protective oils from your skin. After a 15-minute soak, massage your body with an aromatherapy oil while you are still wet from the bath, and then gently pat your skin dry with a towel. The thin layer of aromatherapy oil acts as a protective barrier that prevents the evaporation of moisture that your skin has absorbed from the bath.