It is that time of year where it's dry and cold out and our skin is suffering. Thankfully, we don't have to deal with it much longer. In the meantime, here is my list of Top 5 Winter Skin Savers - products that treat and relieve the irritation brought on by dry skin.
5. Gold Bond Ultimate Moisturizing Skin Therapy Lotion/Aveeno Active Naturals Anti-Itch Lotion
I don’t know about you guys, but when my skin gets really dry, it gets really itchy. Sometimes even after I moisturize, my skin is still itchy - and I sometimes scratch until my skin bleeds (extreme circumstance, but it has happened before). What I really need when I can’t stop itching/scratching is something to take the itch away - which is where these two products come in. If you will recall, I used the Aveeno Active Naturals Anti-Itch Lotion when I had the Chicken Pox; it has an analgesic ingredient in it that will relieve both pain and itchiness. The Gold Bond Ultimate Moisturizing Skin Therapy Lotion has a few active ingredients in it to prevent/stop itchiness; it also contains ‘7 Intensive Moisturizers’ and vitamins A, C and E. Of the two, I prefer the scent of the Aveeno; however, the Gold Bond is creamer and lasts much longer on your skin - it is a wonderful moisturizer. The Aveeno is more of a topical cream with very few moisturizing properties.
4. Baby Oil
Normally, I don’t like products that leave my skin with a thin, oily film. But, when it’s winter and my skin is dry, I welcome it. I put baby oil on my legs, knees and elbows after I get out of the shower and towel off, to help lock in moisture. I put the oil on a cotton pad and just wipe it all over my skin. Usually, I don’t have to reapply until two days later; it was still working after 2 showers - this may be different for you depending on your bathing habits.
3. Vaseline
Vaseline is a multi-tasker - it can be used a variety of different ways. The main two ways I use it are as a lip balm or a moisturizer for dry/rough/scaly skin (knees, elbows, ankles, feet). Like Baby Oil, Vaseline (which is oil based) is good at locking in moisture.
I don’t like to buy the tub, because it’s not very hygienic and it’s messy; for my purposes, the squeeze tube works well. I keep a tube stashed in my makeup cabinet at all times. When I travel, Vaseline comes with me.
2. Cetaphil Moisturizer
Cetaphil has been a favorite moisturizer of mine for years now. I use this product on my face every night before bed, to help my skin stay hydrated. I have also used it on my legs when they are dry or irritated after I shave, on my elbows, on my knees - it’s wonderful. The best thing about Cetaphil is that is scent free and hypoallergenic. My super-sensitive skin loves this stuff! I also get the occasional bout of eczema; this moisturizer does not further irritate it and does a great job of soothing my skin. Additionally, I have used this product to keep a fresh tattoo moisturized; however, I had to constantly reapply - it absorbed and dried really fast.
1. Sunscreen
The fact that Sunscreen is at the top of the list should be no surprise! A lot of people forget that even in the winter, your skin can still burn. A day out skiing on the mountain can yield a red face not only from wind-burn, but from sunburn as well. Snow reflects sunlight very well - just like a lake or river. The SPF I wear over the winter months is not as strong as what I wear in the spring/summer, but I still wear it - and you should too!
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Have a great week!
