It's that time of year again. Everywhere on your body you start to get dry and itchy skin. Sometimes you may even find that you have flaky skin, cracked heels, or severely dry hands. You may have tried several skin lotions, but may not have found what works the best for you.
I have lived in the northern states my whole life and it seems that as soon as October rolls around, the skin on my face starts to dry up, soon followed by the skin on my body. Of course the older I get, the worse the dry skin is becoming. I have used several lotions and creams and have found a few that are worth their weight in gold.
Dry Skin
First let's discuss dry flaky skin. When the skin's moisture level drops, your skin becomes dehydrated and starts to itch. All that scratching to relieve the itch causes the flaking of your skin. The best thing you can do for the flaking is to exfoliate your skin at least 3 times per week with a scrub in the shower. If you can use an emollient based scrub this is the best as it will help lock in moisture for your skin. Immediately after towling off your skin, you need to apply dry skin lotion. If you have very itchy skin, Aveeno dry skin lotion is the best that I have found to help alleviate itchy skin and help combat dry flaky skin both at the same time.
Nothing is more frustrating than dry cracked heels. This problem, as the others, stems from dehydration of the skin. Part of the problem is due to the feet sweating (which everyone's feet do) and then drying several times each day. This causes the skin to swell and dry out causing cracks in the skin. Some people have severe cracked skin and for this problem, a trip to the podiatrist may be warranted for heavy duty treatment. To help prevent cracked heels, make sure to use a good exfoliant on your heels at least 3 times a week. One of the best dry skin cream on the market for problem heels (or to prevent them) is Burt's Bees Foot Creme. It has a heavenly coconut scent and works like a charm! Your dry heels will be perfect in no time.
As a nurse, I know what it's like to have severe dry hands, even cracked hands. All the handwashing nurses do in the hospital strips the skin of its natural oils. A big culprit of dry hands is not completely drying your hands, this will give you chapped, dry hands quickly. The very best dry skin lotion, well it's really not a lotion-it's a shielding lotion, that is dermatologist recommended is Gloves in a Bottle. I have not found anything that works better! All the nurses I know use this product religiously.
These tips will help you beat dry, flaky skin, cracked heels, and severe dry hands during the winter months. Visit my blog and let me know how these tips and products work for you. I love to hear others' experiences.
If you are having problems with your skin CLICK HERE [http://www.myantiagingskincareonline.com] for a copy of my FREE 7 day report on Quick and Easy Tips for Younger, Healthier Skin.
3 Things You Must know to Prevent Dry Skin
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Julie Fenoglio is a Registered Nurse and skin care consultant who loves to give away freebies, tips, and reports to help others learn about skin care.
Visit her blog at [http://www.myantiagingskincareonline.com]