Harsh winter weather can leave your skin dry, red and cracked. Thankfully, you don’t have to shell out big bucks at your doctor’s office or a department store to find a cure. Find products to restore your skin to its regular glow right at your neighborhood drug store.
Lips
Nothing should get in the way of that pretty smile. Wear lip balm all winter long to avoid dry, chapped lips. Your local drugstore offers a wide variety of choices, from tinted to flavored, glossy and even satin finishes. If you’re not a fan of the feeling lip balm leaves behind, opt for a water-based product. It’s lighter weight, but still creates an important barrier between your lips and the elements.
>>Get rid of dry, chapped lips
If your lips are already chapped, cracked and painful, skip the balm and opt for petroleum jelly. Load up on that for a few days to keep your lips moisturized and protected, and then switch back to balm once the healing has begun. Products made with vitamin E heal quickly and soothe at the same time, so look for that when you choose your product.
Hands
Red, dry and cracked hands are not only unsightly, they’re painful. The shelves at your local drugstore are filled with bottles and tubes that claim to heal and protect your hands, but not every product will really do the job. Cut through the clutter by knowing which ingredients really work.
>>How to take care of your hands in the winter
A good lotion has both emollients, which work on the surface of the skin, and humectants, that soak in and go to work deep within the skin’s surface. The best emollients to look for are lanolin, isopropyl palmitate or glycerol stearate. As for humectants, search labels for products that contain glycerin, lactic acid or sorbitol. Carmex Healing Cream, $6, penetrates your skin with nine different ingredients to heal fast, and leaves your hands smelling great without feeling greasy.
Body
Healthy skin starts with your body wash. Your shower robs you of precious moisture, so you don’t want a body wash that’s just going to make it worse. Look for a gentle or mild body wash, preferably one that’s labeled “soap-free.” Choose a formula that uses moisturizers, so it replaces the moisture you lose in the shower.
>>Winter skin care tips
Always moisturize as soon as you get out of the shower. Look for a lotion with ingredients such as lanolin, mineral oil, glycerin and ceramides to help lock in moisture and soothe dry skin.
Quick Tip
Not sure which ingredients work best for you? Ask the pharmacist! They can always help make sure you get the best product for you.
More healthy skin tips from SheKnows:
Tips to care for winter skin
Tips for keeping skin soft in the winter
10 Winter skin care tips
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