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!
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!
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:
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:
You can buy this HERE
You can even buy it in fun colors:
5. 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.
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!
Good advice. Oil definitely works for the nails. Hand cream strangely tends to dry the cuticles.
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Hi Libby,
All great advice. I have been thinking about a humidifier and I am going to check out the heel/foot lotion for sure. Happy Monday,
Kathysue
Kathysue recently posted…My Tried And True Skin Care Products
Yeah, we are itchy and bumpy at our house this winter, a daily battle. I cannot live without Kerasal ointment for my feet and even my hands and cuticles before bed. I buy it a CVS. After just a few days, it miraculously removes cracked heels. I started using it last summer, my feet in sandals had not looked that good in years! I also do a regular foot ritual of 1.soaking and then drying feet 2.buff with Swedish file 3. aquafor ointment or vaseline massaged in for a few minutes 3. apricot scrub over the ointment rubbed vigorously 4.wash off ointment and scrub 5. apply regular body lotion. I also start the day off with a tall glass of warm water and lemon to get hydration going for the day. I think we need a humidifier in our room, thanks for the recommendation. Also will order the dry heel eliminator lotion.
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Cindy: wow, that’s quite a foot routine. I might have to try it. But it’s endless, isn’t it? Trying to keep feet fairly good looking? Of course, a good pedicure can make a huge difference too! Water : well, I really did have trouble drinking it when I started the routine, but now I actually miss it when too many hours go by without a glass!
Ok Alice….we want to see a before and after, right????
This time of year is especially bad for people who suffer from dry skin conditions. I try to moisturize daily, use cuticle oil around my nails and use Amlactin Cerapeutic Restoring Body Lotion on my feet and the areas on my body that are especially dry. It is wonderful fragrance free and it does work to heal extremely rough, flaky dry skin instantly. It is fairly pricey but well worth the extra amount you spend to get good results.
Great and interesting article!
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Kris: Ok I’m going to look up your lotion! One can never have enough good ideas for lotions/dry skin cures!
My dermatologist recommended I get a lotion applicator stick like the one you show. I haven’t purchased it yet, but will. Or I may look at Bed, Bath and Beyond. My skin gets so dry and itchy in the winter, and even in the summer. I take hot showers, which I know I shouldn’t do, but I can’t bear it otherwise. Our house is so chilly in the mornings, I like to just stand in a steamy shower and let my muscles relax.
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Claudia: I know, the hot shower is SO wonderful when you need it!!! But no, don’t do it! Or, slather on the lotion afterward. That applicator stick really does work. We had another one, before this, that was actually a loofa. We wrapped part of an old tea towel around it, taped it, and voila! it worked beautifully (but, of course, we then had to wash the cloth periodically!) I use a prescription lotion called Lac Hydrn. Ask you doctor. It works the best for me, and I use it all over, all year.