The fire is slowly dying, your skin is quickly drying, but as long as you treat it so, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
The coldest time of year is now upon us, and while the snow and icicles may be a treat for your eyes, they’re definitely not a treat for your skin. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent and treat dry skin even on the chilliest, windiest of days. It’s the perfect excuse to load up on your favorite beauty products!
Moisturize
The first step in preventing dry skin is (obviously) providing your skin with plenty of moisture. This doesn’t just mean slathering on lotion, though. One of the best ways to help your skin absorb moisture is by increasing the humidity in your home. You can either purchase an inexpensive humidifier from your local grocery store (around $20), or you can simply allow a large pot of water to continuously boil on the stove for several hours. You can even make your house smell wonderful by adding lemon or orange rinds to the water.
Step Away from the Shower
It may be tempting to shower every day before work or school to have that fresh, clean feeling, but you are actually drying out your skin by showering every day. Daily showering, especially if you use an exfoliating body wash, will remove quite a bit of moisture from your skin (even if your body wash says it is ‘moisturizing’). Instead, try taking a shower every other day, and if your hair or skin still feels greasy, use some dry shampoo or soap to freshen up. Your hair will also benefit from decreasing your shower frequency.
Lotion Up
If your skin is already dry, purchase a high-quality moisturizing cream, such as Olay Moisturizing Cream, and apply it to the affected areas two to three times a day. If your hands are deprived of moisture, apply a generous amount of the cream before bedtime and slip on a pair of latex or rubber gloves. You will be amazed the next morning at how much of a difference the gloves will make! You can still apply regular body lotion to the rest of your body throughout the day, even if you do not currently have dry skin. For those who have sensitive skin, choose a formula that is fragrance and dye-free.
