Winter is the perfect time for bundling up from head to toe—in wool scarves, long-sleeved knit sweaters, and comfy thermal socks. But even if your face is the only part of you exposed to the chillier weather, that doesn’t mean the rest of your body isn’t feeling the effects of winter. Nights by the fireplace, indoor heating, and freezing winds can really dry out your skin. If you want to avoid chapped lips, cracked heels, and more, check out these winter survival tips to help keep your skin hydrated and protected.
Face, neck, and décolleté
Even on a cloudy or rainy day, your face, neck, and décolleté are exposed to drying wind, as well as damaging UVB and UVA rays that cause dryness, wrinkles, and age spots.
Timeless Secret® Pure Radiance Day Moisturizer SPF20 UVA/UVB hydrates your skin and protects it from the sun’s damaging rays. When you apply the Timeless Secret Accelerating Booster® Wrinkle Corrector over it, you create a breathable layer that locks in moisture so your skin stays hydrated and protected around the clock.
And to prevent or treat chapped lips, choose a lip balm with SPF protection and vitamin E. Banana Boat® makes a great waterproof lip balm with aloe vera, vitamin E, and SPF 30. Or, for even more protection and full-looking lips, use Derm Exclusive® Volume Lip Therapy SPF 15. It has Hyaluronic Filling Spheres and natural moisturizers that penetrate deeply to smooth and plump lines, plus SPF 15 to protect you against environmental damage.
Elbows and knees
The skin on your elbows and knees can become thick, scaly, and cracked in the winter. To alleviate this uncomfortable dryness, right after you shower, use a rich, therapeutic cream that contains shea butter to seal in moisture. Shea butter—a fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree—helps protect, nourish, and soften your skin.
Hands and nails
When you’re outside without mittens or gloves, your hands are also exposed to the drying wind and damaging rays from the sun. To help protect them, use a hand cream with SPF. RESIST Ultimate Anti-Aging Hand Cream SPF 30 + Antioxidants helps shield your hands from sun damage, aging, and brown spots.
When indoors, simply having the heat on can dry out your hands. Choose a cream specifically made for the hands, or use your favorite body butter or cream. Butters and creams tend to deliver more moisture to the skin than lotions do.
And for that extra dry skin around the edges of the nails that’s known as the cuticle, you can get a cuticle oil, which is made specifically to soften that part of the skin.
Don’t forget your feet
When it comes to foot care, in the winter or anytime else, it’s really important not to forget the basics: Wear comfortable shoes! Tight shoes can cause friction and irritate your feet.
But the dry, cracked feet we suffer in the winter are a pain—literally. Here’s how to soften and smooth them.
Foot creams—thick moisturizers formulated specifically for the feet—are made to penetrate this thick skin on the soles and heels. Kerasal® is an especially effective foot moisturizer that was formerly sold only in podiatrist’s offices, but is now available at most drugstores.
So, to wrap up, enjoy the winter—heaters, fireplaces, and all. But remember to give your skin a little extra attention at this time of year.
