Lotion Dreams

During the winter season it’s not uncommon to see dry, cracked skin on the elbows, knuckles, and hands.  Dry skin is embarrassing, and can be painful if not treated.  If you happen to have visible dry skin, be sure to use some kind of body lotion or moisturizer at least once a day; over time this will help the skin to heal.  In addition to healing dry skin, there are a number of steps you can take to prevent dry skin.  For example, always wear gloves when you go outside in cold weather; wind chill combined with winter cold can cause skin to dry out fast.  It’s also important to avoid washing your hands excessively, especially with hot or warm water.  If your skin is dry, wash your hands with cold water; this will help to prevent future damage.

By taking these simple precautions you can avoid the hassle and the soreness of dry skin, and have lots of fun in your winter wonderland! 

When it comes to having smoother and clearer skin that is free from blemishes, bumps, and acne, there’s no single method that works for everyone.  The fact is that everyone’s skin is different, and often the cause of having ‘bad’ skin is due to the amount of oil a person’s skin produces.  All skin produces oil, but the skin on the face tends to be where the most oil is produced.  During puberty, the body’s natural production of oil increases tenfold, and this is the reason acne is prominent in teenagers.  It’s not possible to reduce the amount of oil skin produces, but it is possible to regulate it to a degree. 

Most facial care products for example will have an active ingredient that penetrates into the skin and removes dirt, but also dries out the oil lingering there.  Potent skin treatments can dry out your skin, and most contain a warning against it.  Remember if your skin produced no oil you’d look like a crocodile! 

Though mothers can be difficult to shop for during the holidays, purchasing a sensual health and beauty product is sure to please her and help her to feel young again.  Here are a few gift ideas sure to help mothers remember more youthful holiday seasons past:~Skin Care Products – a sensual skin moisturizer, or lavender creme is great for nurturing mom’s skin followed with a heavenly scent. 

~Mirrors – a unique hand mirror or ornate wall mirror is sure to assist mom when she is making herself more beautiful.

~Bath Set – a bath set complete with candles, soaps, and scented oil is a great way to nurture mom’s skin and help relieve stress. 

~Sweaters – always a hit during the holiday season, a beautiful knit sweater will be the envy of all the other mothers at future holiday gatherings. 

During winter months the skin is prone to become dry, cracked, and barren due to the intense cold.  It is important to keep skin moisturized to prevent bleeding and also rashes from forming.  The hands tend to be the most vulnerable area of the skin, due to their exposure to the cold, and should be moisturized with skin care products each day.  Homeowners and businesses also tend to increase their heating in the winter, which, if skin is exposed to a dry atmosphere all day, can cause cracks and bleeding.  Depending on where you live, it might be necessary to apply cream or moisturizer to the face.  Though the face naturally produces more oil than other areas of skin, it can be vulnerable to extreme cold. 

With proper care in the winter season, your skin will not only look great, but will feel smooth and soft to the touch. 

Sunburns leave skin red, cracked, dry, and without treatment can cause serious irritation and discomfort.  The best way to prevent sunburns is to wear sunscreen, this will also work to prevent skin cancer.  However, if you have already been sunburned, sunscreen can also be used as a skin moisturizer and to protect the skin from further damage.  There are also products officially marketed as a skin moisturizer that will work better than sunscreen, but won’t protect against UV rays.  Vaseline works well as a skin moisturizer for extreme cases of sunburn, but in such cases it may also be wise to consult a physician. 

Sunburn can be the cause for the development of serious medical conditions, so it’s best to avoid it whenever possible.  Tempting as it is to go outside without applying sunscreen, in this day and age, it’s risky.

As the winter months draw ever closer, we’re reunited with that old enemy: dry skin. Here are some tried and true methods to ward off that old evil:

• Shorten bath and shower times; long periods in hot, steamy water can actually dry your skin out further
• Take cooler showers and baths
• Only use mild cleansers – harsh ones are too drying
• Exfoliate as needed, but don’t overdo it
• Pat yourself dry with a towel instead of rubbing
• Apply moisturizer and other dry skin care products immediately after showering to lock in that moisture
• Give extra attention to your lower legs; because they’re further away from the heart, they tend to dry out quicker
• Don’t scratch the dry, itchy spots; instead, apply more moisturizer
• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air

We all want dewy, radiant skin, but it doesn’t just happen. One of the best methods to refresh the skin is to exfoliate.

Exfoliating sloughs the upper layers of dead skin off the face, revealing bright, new skin. The average person generates a new layer of skin every two to four weeks, and if the dead skin isn’t removed, it can clog the pores and lead to acne, skin discolorations and blackheads.

One of the best methods is to use an exfoliation creme to scrub away the dead skin. Most creams have pieces of grit in them, such as walnut shells or apricots. Wet the face with warm water, gently scrub in circular motions, and rinse away to see beautiful skin. A word of caution though – don’t overdo it. Exfoliating too much can leave the skin red and flaky. The recommended number of times is twice per week, but if you have oily skin, you can exfoliate more often. If you have dry skin, it should be less often.

Dry skin is a common problem.  Skin requires moisture to remain smooth and supple, and moisture retention becomes more difficult to achieve with aging.  The winter season causes the skin to lose its natural moisture, and daily bathing can remove skin’s overall moisture, despite initially hydrating the skin with the water.

Using the wrong lotion can also dry out the skin.   When it comes to dry skin care products, water-based lotions are often non-comedogenic (will not clog skin pores), but oil-based lotions and creams are more effective overall when it comes to maintaining natural skin moisture.