Dry Skin - 6 Tips to Soothe

Dry skin is very common in the cold winter months, but with a little TLC, your skin doesn't have to be dry, itch or flake.

First, take a moment to read 5 Skin-Saving Tips for Your Shower or Bath to see if you're making a major dry skin mistake and then come back to read some additional skin-soothing tips for dry skin. Following these tips will help you get rid of dry skin for good.

1. Put Hand Lotion by Each Sink (and One in Your Handbag!)

With as many times as you wash your hands during the day, no wonder they are parched, dry and possibly cracking. Luckily for you, this is an easy fix.

Every time you wash your hands, dry them off and apply a pump of hand lotion. It may take a little while to get used to the added step, but your hands will thank you for it when they go from dry to moisturized around the clock. And don't forget to add a travel-size bottle in your handbag for on-the-go washings out in the public.

2. Wear Gloves

Cold weather is simply a recipe for dry, cracked hands. This is easy to avoid by simply wearing gloves. The elements are so harsh on your skin, but by wearing your gloves each time you head out, you'll limit the exposure your hands have to the cold weather, which will help prevent dry skin.

Look for gloves to go on sale and pick up an extra pair or two so that when the inevitable glove goes missing, you'll have an extra set.

3. Moisturize Your Lips

If you've ever had horribly dry, chapped lips, chances are good you've got a constant supply of lip balm in every location possible. If you haven't experienced super chapped lips, do yourself a favor and avoid it at all costs.

Your lips need extra-special care all of the time, but especially in the winter. Stay away from the lip glosses which can cause a sticky mess if rubbed on your scarf. Go with a nice chap stick or lip balm that simply provides moisture. And don't forget sun protection. The snow reflects the sun's rays, and you always want to be protected.

4. Itchy Scalp? Massage it.

Dry skin on your scalp leads to flakes and itching, something that most people want to avoid. If you're dealing with itchy scalp, get a conditioner made for dry hair and massage it onto your scalp with your fingertips while in the shower. This will not only buff off built up flakes, it will moisturize and soothe your itchy scalp.

Another good way to encourage extra oils in your scalp is to brush your hair at night with a gentle brush. Concentrate on the scalp. It not only feels good, it's good for your scalp as well.

5. Add Moisture into the Air

With furnaces running, doors and windows closed and air being recirculated constantly, dry air is all around, and that dry air enables dry skin. A humidifier will immensely help add moisture to your home's air. I remember my Grandmother simply filling a big bowl and setting it in front of her heat vents, so if your vents are off floor level, give that a try before purchasing a new piece of equipment.

6. Vaseline Works Wonders

I know, Vaseline isn't really the high-end pampering product you might want to buy, but Vaseline can be a skin-saver for dry skin in the winter months. There are so many uses for Vaseline as well.

• For extremely cracked hands and feet, apply and then put on cotton socks and gloves. Doing this will give immediate results.(If you can't sleep like this, find an hour or so during the day.)
• Apply to cracked cuticles
• Apply to small areas after exfoliating. (dry spots like elbows, knees and heels)
• Put over windburned cheeks before heading back outdoors. It will seal and protect. (Especially good for children.)
• This is amazing lip balm. You'll notice instant, yet long lasting hydration. (No SPF though.)

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Soothe Dry Skin

If you've got extremely dry skin on your hands or your feet, you've probably got a closet full of lotions that haven't done the trick. Let me fill you in on a secret I learned in beauty school. Stylist's hands are in the water all day long. This can lead to dry cracked hands. Whether it's your hands or your feet (or both!) causing you problems, this trick will do the job. The best part about it? It will all be taken care of while you sleep. Follow these steps before you go to bed for skin you won't recognize.

If you're working on your feet, apply a layer of Eucerin Healing Ointment (Vaseline will work too) over your feet and cover them immediately with cotton socks for the entire night. If you're working on your hands, apply product and then put on a thin pair of cotton gloves like The Body Shop's Moisture Gloves or a pair of those super thin winter gloves.

While you're dreaming away, your super dry skin will be getting a pampering treatment of their own. The socks (or gloves) seal in the ointment which seals in the moisture. How's that for easy? No expensive creams needed.

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Soothe Your Sunburn

If you spent too much time outdoors without enough sunscreen, chances are good you got sunburned. Sunburn is a very painful problem that needs proper treatment.

By following these suggestions, you can make the healing process a bit easier.

Time Required: n/a

Here's How:

1. Get out of the sun. This may sound like a no-brainer, but as a boat owner, I've heard many people say, "I already am burned; what's the big deal if I stay out another couple of hours?" The big deal is the fact that your mild sunburn could easily turn into a blistering second-degree sunburn which would need medical attention. If you think your mild sunburn hurts, you don't want to experience a second-degree burn. Get out of the sun.

2. Take a cool shower or bath. Sunburn is very common to other types of burns, and your skin will feel very hot to the touch. You will feel instant (but temporary) relief from a cool shower or bath. Add in oatmeal for extra soothing relief.

3. Soothe your skin with Aloe Vera. This is something you've probably heard before, but it really is an easy way to get relief. A great idea would be to purchase an aloe houseplant that you can easily snap off a stem when needed. If you don't have a green thumb, you can get an aloe gel at your local drugstore. Apply multiple times a day for relief.

4. Continue to moisturize. Your skin is parched from the burn, and if you don't moisturize it, you'll have a horrible itchy feeling until it is gone. Go with a natural based moisturizer like Cocoa Butter. Cocoa Butter melts at skin temperature which allows it to sink right in.

5. Take a pain reliever. Sunburn can be quite painful, and a pain reliever like tylenol or advil will help reduce the pain. Continue to take it around the clock at least the first 1-2 days for consistent pain relief.

6. Seek medical attention when necessary. Sunburn isn't always best to treat at home. If you see multiple blisters or have severe pain, see your doctor. He or she will help determine the best choice of action and prescribe stronger pain medication if necessary.

7. Play it safe. Once you've experienced a painful sunburn, you never want to go through it again. Get a couple of bottles of sun screen and keep them with you at home and in the car. How many times do you unexpectedly go somewhere with your friends without thinking ahead to bring sun screen. If you have a bottle in your car, you'll be prepared no matter the situation.

Tips:

1. Apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before heading out. This will give the sunscreen a chance to start working before you start soaking up the rays.
2. Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, more if you're in the water or sweating a lot.
3. Always wear a hat to protect your scalp and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
4. Lips sunburn faster than your skin. Apply a SPF lip balm when applying your sunscreen.

What You Need:

• Cool Shower or Bath
• Aloe
• Moisturizer
• Pain Reliever

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