Beauty Survival

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Beauty Bits and Tips:  a few more beauty hints from us

the dry skin dilemma: Fighting dry, Chapped skin Inexpensively

Dry, chapped skin visits me each winter, and it arrived sooner than usual this season.  By early-December, I was already suffering.  Realizing that many things contribute to dry skin (not just harsh winters), I started investigating some possible solutions to this wide-spread beauty problem.  In addition to my own research, I talked to some experts and was happily surprised to find out there were some great dry skin "helpers" out there and most of them were relatively inexpensive.  So, let's take a look.

Tips for rough Hands and Feet

There's little question, that dry hands and feet can be a problem no matter what the climate or season.  However, they can take a particular beating in the winter.  With that in mind, I went to Just Calm Down, a Manhattan Spa which is well known for their specialty manicures and pedicures, and asked Ilana for some suggestions to solve the problem of dry hands and feet.  I was amazed at her simple advice -- apply some oil or oily/greasy cream to your hands and/or feet and cover them with plastic wrap for at least 10 minutes.  Forget the fancy creams and gloves for this one, and go with some inexpensive solutions.  She suggested using formulas like the thick, and some would say greasy, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream ($3.99 for 2 oz. at drugstore.com) or a Vitamin E oil (such as Nature's Bounty Natural Vitamin E Oil, $6.99 for 2.5 fl. oz. at drugstore.com).  However, any product like these will do the trick, so pick the one already on your shelf or that you like best.  Ilana also suggested warming the cream or oil before application so that it works more efficiently. (If you decide to warm the product remember to do so carefully and safely.  These products can become very, very hot and cause severe burns.  Over the years, I have successfully warmed products by placing their containers in moderately hot running water -- not scalding.   But even using this method,  please be careful and use good judgment and common sense!)  After applying the cream or oil (either at room temperature or warmed) just wrap your hands and/or feet in ordinary plastic wrap -- the kind you probably already have in your kitchen to wrap left-over food.  When done, just unwrap your hands and/or feet and wipe off the excess oil or cream with a towel.

You don't need an expert to tell you that applying a good moisturizing cream to dry skin is a must.  So, what type and which one?  I found that there is divided opinion about whether hand creams which claim to last through a certain number of hand washings actually do.  If you would like to try one, I found Aveeno Intense Relief Hand Cream ($6.59 for 3.5 oz at drugstore.com) which claims to do just this.  Never having used it, I can't comment on either its consistency or its lasting power.  However the price seemed reasonable, and I like several products from this brand and frequently try new ones -- as you will see below.

Rather, I decided to try Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Cream ($10.29 for 11oz. at drugstore.com).  I've become a big fan of this rich, yet non-greasy cream.   It helped heal the rough patches on my hands and is continuing to help keep them soft.  In addition, I noticed that my hands still feel very moist after I've washed them one time.  (However, I still try to reapply the cream after each washing.)  Rather than worrying about another cream, I'm  using it on my feet as well -- doing this saves a few minutes in my skin care routine.

Tips For Fighting Dry Skin On Your Body

Your skin can be dry in any environment and for those of us experiencing winter, the cold, dry weather combined with indoor heating can make it a lot worse.  Looking for some help, I spoke with a prominent New York City dermatologist who gave me the following tip -- apply your body moisturizer while your skin is still damp.  This helps to lock in the moisture.  As to which body  moisturizer to use, it depends upon your skin type and the amount of dryness you are experiencing.  However, if your skin is becoming dryer due to the winter (or anything else) you might want to switch to a richer body cream.  I found I needed to do just that and after looking around I chose Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($10.99 for 18 fl. oz. at drugstore.com), and I'm pleased with the choice.  This lotion is rich without being greasy, is fragrance free (why have your body creams compete with your perfume), and is lasting (my skin still feels smooth several hours later).  

And if moisturizer is not enough to combat the dry skin on your body, there are other products that might help.  One would be a moisturizing body wash.  I like the Aveeno Body Wash, Daily Moisturizing ($5.99 for 12 fl. oz.).  This lightly scented, soap-free body wash makes me feel both clean and moisturized when I step out of the shower.  The second is Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatments, Single Use Packets  ($7.69 for 8 packets at drugstore.com).  This product is actually powder made from colloidal oatmeal which you throw into the tub while filling it with water.  I consider this treatment to be one of the "big guns" for dry skin and many other skin irritations.  I know many people who swear by this product for itchiness, dryness, and other unpleasant skin conditions.  

Kissable Lips

And what good is smooth skin if your lips are chapped and cracked.  So, I looked around to find something that would heal and smooth the lips effectively.  After some research, it appeared that Aquaphor Healing Ointment was the product to try ($5.99 for 1.75 oz. at drugstore.com).   Although not made specifically as a lip balm, this ointment has been successfully used by many for severely dry lips.  It's done a very good job on mine and you can use it on other severely dry areas of your skin.  One note however, the products is a bit thick and greasy (sort of like Vaseline), which makes it great for the lips, but you may want to think about when and where you apply it to other areas of your body. For instance, I have applied it to the rough areas on the bottom of my feet, but only at night.   And finally, winter or summer, don't forget your lips need sun protection.  (As does your face and other exposed areas of your body.) So, have a lip balm with at least an SPF 15 to put on before you go out the door.  Which one?  There are a multitude to choose from and run the gamut from Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer SPF 15 ($3.19 for 0.15 oz at drugstore.com) to E.I. Solutions Lip Balms with SPF 18 ($12 for 0.11 oz. at DERMAdoctor.com) which is one of my favorites.

And Finally, A Few More Tips...

• Watch the temperature of the water when you shower or bathe (or wash your face, too).  It may feel great, but hot water is drying.

• Pay attention to the bottoms of your feet where your heels can become very dry and cracked.  I've noticed that by using a foot scrubber (or pumice stone) along with some sort of a scrub, the dry skin on my heels has been removed with far less effort.  Just remember not to overdo and chafe your feet.

• Consider going to the professionals more often.  Many of us think about how the skin on our hands, feet, and body look in the summer when they are very much on display but sort of forget about it when covered up during the winter months.  However, as your skin gets dryer, your need to visit the spa may increase.  The right professional manicure, pedicure, or body treatment may help make your winter beauty routine just that much easier.

So, stay moist and smooth no matter where you live.

Have a beautiful month!

Carol

January 2006

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Everyone's skin and skin needs are different.  The data is for informational purposes only.  If you have any questions in regard to which products are appropriate for your skin, we recommend that you contact your dermatologist or other health care professional.

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