by Elisha Rosencrans

Created on: December 09, 2009

Winter weather and dry skin tend to go hand in hand. The dry, cold air is very harsh on skin and hair. However, you don't have to have scaly dry skin, cracked lips, and dandruff. I will be sharing a few tips with you to help improve your skin's condition all winter long.

1. Dry, Scaly Skin

Winter can be very hard on skin. It's important to take good care of your skin because it's the largest organ of your body and protects your body from the elements. First of all, keep your showers shorter and cooler. It may be tempting to crank up the hot water and stand under the faucet as long as possible, but the hot water dries out the moisture in your skin. You don't have to stand in freezing cold water, however. Try to keep your showers under ten minutes and keep the water as cool as is comfortable. 

When you get out of the shower, dry your skin throughly with a soft towel. Make sure you pat your skin instead of rubbing it. Before you put clothes on, slather on a rich moisturizer. I rely on Alba Organics Very Emollient Body Lotion. Make sure you put a little extra on knees, elbows, and hands. 

Another great tip is remembering to bundle up before you go outside. The harsh winter winds can really dry out your skin or cause windburn. Make sure you wear gloves, a scarf, and a hat. Keeping your body covered really helps keep your skin protected.

2. Dry Hair with Static and Dandruff

I'm sure all of us have pulled a sweater over our head and had our hair sticking straight up. Winter also dries out our hair and scalp, causing dry hair and dandruff. 

Before you take a shower, use a comb and gently rub your scalp all over to loosen up any dandruff. Once in the shower, use a dandruff shampoo and let the mixture sit in your hair for a few minutes. After rinsing well, apply a thick, rich conditioner. Allow to sit for a couple minutes and rinse well. 

Also, never go outside with wet hair in the cold. It can cause the water in your hair to freeze, which can make your hair break off. Avoid washing your hair everyday to prevent dandruff.

3. Dry, Cracked Lips

After taking a hot shower, gently rub your lips with a toothbrush in a circular motion. Dry your lips off, and then apply a nice, moisturizing lip balm. Make sure you apply an extra coating before bed.

As you can see, all it takes is a little bit of work to keep your skin, lips, and hair in good condition all winter long. Make sure you take care of yourself, and stay warm!

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