Posted on January 17, 2008. Filed under: Health, Issues about You, Savvy News, Women's Health, health and wellness | Tags: body, dry, feet, gloves, hands, moisturizer, protection, skin, sunscreen |
There is nothing worse than dry and itchy skin! The one thing I loathe the most about the winter is having dry skin, especially on my elbows, hands and feet. It’s as if all of the moisture you stored up from the warmer months disappears completely when the cold air arrives. I know this is my anal behavior revealing its ugly head again, but I actually keep a heavy hand cream (i.e. Eucerin) near my bed because my hands can become so dry in the middle of the night. Yes, I sometimes wake up to put on hand lotion. What’s wrong with that? Dry skin can be very annoying when you are trying to sleep. I have found that putting it on beforehand works well. Apparently, wearing moisturizing gloves to bed, work too, but that just doesn’t seem comfortable. Also, putting petroleum jelly or similar on your feet and then sleeping with socks will keep your feet very moisturized. Dry and cracked feet are just not cute when you are trying to spoon with your honey.
Why is your skin drier in the winter and colder climates? It is true that the moisture is reduced and humidity decreases during these times. The heating units in our homes and our places of employment suck up what little moisture is left in the air. Because our bodies lose moisture in the cold, it can be very uncomfortable with cracked skin and ashy legs and arms.
The National Women’s Health Resource Center has some basic cures for your dry, dull and ashy skin this winter.
Do not take long, hot showers. While it seems that this is the cure for your dry skin, it actually dries it out even more. Your showers should be lukewarm and short.
To preserve skin oils, use very mild soaps (not deodorant or scented types) or non-soap bars or gels along with warm water.
After a brief (5 to 10 minutes only) shower, pat yourself dry. Too much towel drying will leave your skin drier than it was before the shower, as will letting water just evaporate off of you.
Moisturize your body right after your shower to seal in water, and repeat throughout the day. The best moisturizers are ointments, such as petroleum jelly (use a little and rub in well), and even vegetable shortening (I don’t know about this). The next most effective are oil moisturizers, including baby oil and mineral oil. Cream moisturizers come next, with lotions being the least effective.
For faces, use a moisturizer with sunscreen; for lips, petroleum jelly or lip balm. You may need a heavier moisturizer than you use in the summer.
Protect your hands by moisturizing them after each hand washing and wearing rubber gloves when immersing them in water.
Electric blankets may remove skin moisture, so switch to more natural coverings. Avoid heavy clothing made from wool and other rough fabrics, which can irritate your skin.
The sun still shines in winter. It’s especially harsh in the now, which reflects as much as 80 percent of harmful rays, and in higher altitudes, which increase burn risk. Wear sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF of at least 30. For mountain sports, a face mask and goggles protect your skin from drying wind and frostbite.
My Favorite Moisturizers for Body, Hands and Feet:
Origins – A Perfect World Moisturizer (My Fav Winter body cream treat)
Almond Body Butter by the Body Shop
Aquaphor by Eucerin 
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand & Foot Cream
Neutrogena Hand Cream
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There is nothing worse than dry and itchy skin! The one thing I loathe the most about the winter is having dry skin, especially on my elbows, hands and feet. It’s as if all of the moisture you stored up from the warmer months disappears completely when the cold air arrives. I know this is my anal behavior revealing its ugly head again, but I actually keep a heavy hand cream (i.e. Eucerin) near my bed because my hands can become so dry in the middle of the night. Yes, I sometimes wake up to put on hand lotion. What’s wrong with that? Dry skin can be very annoying when you are trying to sleep. I have found that putting it on beforehand works well. Apparently, wearing moisturizing gloves to bed, work too, but that just doesn’t seem comfortable. Also, putting petroleum jelly or similar on your feet and then sleeping with socks will keep your feet very moisturized. Dry and cracked feet are just not cute when you are trying to spoon with your honey.
Johnson’ Baby Oil Gel (lavender) right after the shower while wet and then towel dry is the best. Keeps your skin soft all day. Vaseline has a new great smelling oil gel now too that’s a little lighter with a Cocoa Butter scent. It’s excellent.
nfc
January 18, 2008
Thank you so much for your comment NFC. I am certainly going to go and pick up the Vaseline tomorrow because something has to give with this dry heat in my house!
savvyhealthgirl
January 19, 2008