by Kristen Moore

Created on: November 22, 2010

Winter is a time for glistening ice sickles, fluffy snowflakes and pure white meadows. Although winter can be beautiful, it can do considerable damage to the skin. The frigid air outside can lead to chapping; while the heated air inside can lead to drying. There is no doubt that winter weather calls for a different skin care routine. Following are some tips for caring for winter skin.

Exfoliate

Winter skin can dry out to the point that it peels and flakes. Before you apply any moisturizer to your skin, you must rid your body of this dead skin build-up. To do so, try buying a good skin exfoliant or salt scrub. These products usually come in a jar and can be found at the drug store. After taking a warm shower, massage the scrub all over your body. Focus especially on your knees and elbows – these are the areas with the thickest layers of dead skin. Rinse thoroughly before stepping out of the shower. Your skin should feel smooth and refreshed after using an exfoliant.

Moisturize

Now that you have rid yourself of dead tissue, you need to moisturize your new layer of skin. Try using a heavy cream such as cocoa butter. Cocoa butter moisturizes and tones the skin at the same time. It also maintains a pleasant scent. Try massaging cocoa butter into your skin while it is still damp from the shower. This way, you trap the moisture in and hold it all day.

Skin Salve

If you suffer from intensely dry skin, often the moisturizer alone will not do the trick. This is especially apparent on the hands. The skin on the hands gets washed more often than any other body part – the hands have a tendency to become cracked and dry in the winter. To take care of this problem, try purchasing a tin of skin salve. Skin salves are thick and waxy. Try applying the salve anywhere you have intensely dry skin. It is best to do so before you go to bed. In the morning, you will awaken to newly refreshed and moisturized skin.

Overall, do not let such a beautiful season destroy your skin. There are always ways to restore soft, healthy skin – even in the wintertime. Do not forget about your lips and mouth. Try applying chapstick to your lips numerous times a day. If your lips are still cracked and dry, try applying Vaseline instead. If you normally wear lipstick, simply apply your lipstick over the chapstick or Vaseline.  

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