It’s wintertime and dry skin seems like an epidemic. Many, many people suffer from it. It can be mild: an annoying itch here and there. And it can be severe: red, itchy spots, flaky arms, legs, back and the more you itch the worse it gets.
Sound familiar?

Here are some recommendations, gleaned from years and years of very dry skin and reinforced by some excellent tips and tricks from several dermatologists.

As an aside: I choose my dermatologists very, very carefully: it is the one doctor I see the most often and where I have had more “issues” than with any other. Nothing terribly serious, but I/we are always on the lookout. I visit her every three months.

And, of course, I have learned so much from so many bloggers!

1. Moisturize

This is the #1 priority. But, be sure to apply moisturizer just after bathing. While this may seem like a no-brainer, many people don’t realize the added value in applying lotion to already moist (and thus receptive) skin. Put it all over your body! Everywhere. I won’t get into the thousands of brands: you know they are out there so go and take a look.

Here’s a new (to me) great product: a wooden handled lotion applicator for the back. Finally, a way to get some lotion going on that spot of dry skin!

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You can buy it HERE

2. Your Feet

Your poor feet. They have a hard life, so treat them with some love! Use a foot file just after bathing (I find this works better than actually in the shower.) If this is new to you it may take some time before that heel skin begins to soften. But keep at it. Then, right away, apply moisturizer. Your feet will thank you! As will your socks and pantyhose!

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This is the kind of foot file I have used for years. I find it really does the job and isn’t too harsh.

And then apply lotion to your ever-thankful feet. Here is the best anywhere:

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This is the best!

For anyone local here in the Triangle, you can purchase this from Nancee in Chapel Hill. And, while your there, have a manicure or pedicure. Nancee is the best there is, hands down.

If you’re not local, you can buy on line HERE.

3. Your Nails and Hands

Maybe you have dry cuticles. And surely you have dry hands. Right? Winter is the time to moisturize!  I use the above, Dry Heel Eliminator, for my cuticles and it works really well. Put some on just before bed; it’s not greasy at all and is absorbed right away.
Another great product for cuticles is Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil. I love the smell more than anything. Rub it into each nail and wait a bit, as it IS greasy/oily. But it works very well.

4. Moisturize The Air

I know, I know…it’s one more appliance to deal with and so you have ignored it. But it’s essential. In our house we recently realized one of us (not me!) was coughing, especially in the bedroom in the evenings. So we pulled out the humidifier, set it up, and within hours the coughing had totally stopped. Now we have same humidifier in other rooms in the house also.

This is my #1 choice for an easy to set up and maintain and totally quiet room humidifier:

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You can buy this HERE

 You can even buy it in fun colors:
Screen Shot 2015-02-19 at 5.17.23 PM5. Hydrate

Yes, I know, you’ve heard this SO many times and you’re sick of it. I know I was. And then…well, I got sick just after Christmas and I became a believer. I drank water by the quart. I must have filled our Brita Water Filter pitcher at least six times a day. We prefer the pitcher to the faucet attachment as we don’t want to interfere with the spray option on the faucet. And, we like our water at room temperature, so don’t ever use the water spigot in the fridge.

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This is the white but it comes in other colors: we have the green. Brita Water Filter Pitcher

Please know that these comments and the products shown are my personal preferences and choices, based on my own use. But we would all love to hear YOUR suggestions for how you deal with dry skin in the winter and cold weather. Please do tell!

 

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