Ellington

Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and it has a number of battles to fight.

We all strive to protect our skin from sun damage in the summer, but colder weather brings about different problems for the skin. The biggest one is dryness. Certain parts of our bodies have fewer oil glands than others, and with less moisture in the air during the colder months and piping hot heaters in the mix, dry skin is amplified during this time of year. Most often, we don't make the needed changes in our skin-care routines to combat the environment. The result is drier skin.

Your first thought might be to head straight for the thickest and creamiest moisturizing products, but that isn't always the best go-to solution. Moisturizers can often dry the skin.

That sounds crazy, but it's true. We have a natural oil barrier in our skin, so some ingredients in lotions and creams can prevent skin from doing its job. Creams and lotions will solve the problem, but only momentarily. Because they can contain ingredients that are drying to the skin, you end up reapplying constantly.

Try using an oil-based moisturizer which has a high level of moisture content that lasts longer, absorbs better and works with your natural oils. If you're concerned about a greasy feel, opt for moisturizers in the form of dry oils.

A flaky nose and flaky brows are common when battling dry winter skin. This happens because most times these two areas are overlooked or not given enough attention when washing the face. Dead-skin cells tend to pile up in these areas and you see them shedding in the form of flakes.

A simple fix for this would be to use a really mild exfoliant on the areas no more than twice a week, or once for sensitive skin. You can turn your daily cleanser into an exfoliant by using a soft-bristled cleansing brush when washing your face.

I find that simply applying my cleanser to a plain white washcloth and then using minimal scrubbing gives just enough friction for exfoliation.

Dry, cracked hands are a big issue in colder weather, especially if you already have genetically drier skin. Although your skin is thicker on your hands, it is exposed the most.

This is especially true for those who work in environments where they wash their hands frequently and use products with antibacterial ingredients. Soaps and washes containing antibacterial agents strip the skin with constant use because while they remove bad bacteria, they also remove the good bacteria, which disrupts the skin's natural barrier.

If you have a raw nose from your cold or flu, use a few dabs of a healing ointment to the area after cleansing and before you apply any makeup. A raw nose can tend to be really red and the area, stripped because of all the blowing with rough tissues, can leave a dark hue. 
 This subsides with healing, but using a concealer to camouflage will get you through. If you have a fair complexion, try a green concealer to neutralize the darkness before applying the skin 
tone shade.

Dry lips are another constant problem. There are no oils glands in the lips, so moisture lost is moisture gone.

Use lip balm with oils such as jojoba, olive and beeswax. Burt's Bees and Evolution of Smooth lip balm are all good and affordable brands that you can find at your local drug store.

Dry skin on arms and legs are common because there are fewer oil glands in these spots. Hot showers and the indoor heat blasting encourages ashy skin. Even though a hot shower is replenishing and feels good when it's cold outside, try not to use very hot water because it will strip the moisture that you do have in your skin.

Pat your skin dry and, while a little damp, massage in your favorite oil moisturizers. Excessive rubbing with a towel will remove the natural moisture you have in your skin.

Keep a humidifier handy to balance out the moisture in the air. Remember that less moisture plus the heater creates a desert-like environment for your skin.

It may be worthwhile to invest in a sulfate-free body wash. Sulfates are what give products their lathering ability, but they are also very drying. Sulfate-free shampoo can also be helpful if you experience a dry scalp in the winter. You can find sulfate-free products almost anywhere, but more readily at health-food stores.

The best way to combat dry skin during colder weather is to incorporate oils into your routine from head to toe. Many of the oils you might cook with, such as coconut oil, are great for your skin as well.

Winter doesn't have to be a problem for your skin if you do a little research and treat your skin well.