When your skin is damp and warm, it will absorb moisture from your body wash as well as any lotions, creams or oils you apply. However, aggressively rubbing with a towel will remove all the moisture you've just gained and can cause irritation. After a shower, let your skin air-dry for a few seconds, and then gently pat it dry with a fluffy towel.

There are countless bad habits that dry out your skin and leave it feeling less than soft. For starters, you should avoid spending too much time in the sun, smoking cigarettes and drinking copious amounts of alcohol or caffeine (both of which are drying) if soft skin is a top priority. Nutritionist Oz Garcia suggests sipping green tea instead of coffee -- it's far less dehydrating. And apply SPF every day to protect your skin from UV rays.

Blood flow is important for healthy, glowing, soft skin, and a good workout is the best way to get your blood pumping. According to a 2014 study out of McMaster University in Ontario, exercise can even make your skin younger. Participants who were over 40 and did regular cardiovascular activity had skin that looked more like a 20- or 30-year-old. Their sedentary counterparts' skin was noticeably older looking and -- we're guessing -- less soft.

You can literally moisturize your skin from the inside out by upping your daily intake of omega fatty acids. Garcia suggests eating wild salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds and dark leafy greens. These healthy fats improve the health of your skin cells' cell membranes, which, in turn, improves their ability to hold onto water.