Your skin in winter can be dry to the point of being painful. I began to feel the effects of colder weather in early October. my lips became tender and chapped, and I had to switch to a different formula for daily facial cleansing grains in my current exfoliating cleanser irritated my skin. I’ll have to limit my daily exfoliation to just twice a week. also the hands and feet became very dry.

Interior is subjected to dry heat and air is bombarded with harsh winter UV rays from the sun and wind chill. yes, the sun’s rays are still as dangerous as in the summer and are reflected in the snow-covered surfaces, rays bouncing back to you. You will need a good facial moisturizer with SPF in it.

Here are some more tips to help you combat dry winter skin:use a lip balm (preferably with SPF) and do not lick your lips, under any circumstances. that only makes it worse. Keep hands moisturized with a good quality hand cream.

Drink plenty of water and limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a dehydrator.

Buy a humidifier if you do not already have one. You can help keep heating bills down as well. You know, all the heat and humidity thing. Think of the Amazon rainforest.

Use a shower filter. Filter the skin-drying chlorine in tap water. Avoid hot water even though it feels good on a cold winter morning. only strip the skin of its natural oils and cause water to evaporate more quickly. also worth changing soap which can dry the skin a silky body wash which will help your skin retain moisture. Pat skin dry when exiting the shower, do not rub. Apply a good moisturizer to help seal in moisture.

When the humidity is reduced to 50 percent or less, you’ll pay even more attention to your hydration routine. Stay away from harsh scrubs or cleansers, as it will remove most of the oils from the skin and dries the skin more easily. This applies to products from skin care and cleaning products.

My favorite winter skin care tip is before bedtime, apply a thick moisturizer, rich in the feet, concentrating on the heel area. then put a good pair of comfortable socks. when you wake up your feet will be soft and smooth and well hydrated.

Not paying attention to extremely dry skin can lead to health problems and act as a welcome mat for rashes and skin infections. so take good care of your skin and enjoy your winter!