Winter-Dry Skin By Soror Kimberly Cole

Do you feel compelled to scratch your skin until it's red and inflamed? Does your skin have a flaky, ashy appearance? Does your skin crack and sometimes bleed?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are probably suffering from winter-dry skin. The harsh, cold weather and dry, recycled air /heat we experience in the winter is sure to wreak havoc on our facial and body skin.

Winter weather along with indoor heating strips the skin of its natural oils and moisturizing factor-even the oiliest of skin types. We worsen the condition of winter-dry skin by bathing and showering in water that's too hot and for too long. In addition, we do not sufficiently exfoliate the dead skin cell layer or replenish the skin with oil and moisture. Many of the dry skin conditions that victimize us in the winter can be alleviated when a few simple skin care tips are followed.

First, cleanse the face and body with warm water instead of hot water. Hot water and steam tends to have a drying effect when used too frequently and/or for lengthy periods of time. If you must shower in hot water, limit yourself to 5-7 minutes of the steam and running hot water. This can easily be accomplished by turning the water off during lathering and rinsing quickly.

Exfoliate. Exfoliate. Exfoliate. It is extremely important to rid the skin's surface of built-up, dead skin cells. The most superficial layer of skin prevents our natural oil from reaching the surface of our skin as well as blocking the penetration of products into the skin. The dead layer is also the culprit in flaky, itchy, dull and lifeless looking skin. GET RID OF IT!

There are many ways to exfoliate our skin, but too many to mention here. So, here are a few examples of what can be used to safely minimize dead skin cell build-up on the face and body. Natural (almond or apricot) and synthetic (polyethylene beads) scrubs, face and body sponges/loofahs/brushes, and alpha hydroxy acid products with a concentration of 10% or less are all considered safe for at-home use on a regular basis. While exfoliation is important, please take precautions and follow the manufacturer's directions.

Finally, moisturize when the skin is slightly damp. The pores of dampened skin are open to receive emollients and allow for deeper penetration into the lower layers of the skin. This results in smoother and softer skin for a longer period of time than when a moisturizer is applied to dry skin.

Follow these simple steps, and say Good-Bye to Winter-Dry Skin!

For more information on specific products, facial and body treatment, and other questions and/or concerns, please contact Kimberly Cole (Licensed Esthetician & Esthetics Instructor) at 773-737-4223 or kcuwellness@hotmail.com.