Column: Cold weather can play havoc with your skin
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- Last Updated: Tuesday, 19 February 2019 09:56
-by Bonny H.J. MacIsaac
The recent cold weather has played havoc with my skin. And, by all accounts, I am not alone. Is your skin feeling dry and tight? Itchy or flaky? Any number of things can strip your skin of its protective oils this time of year. The result is everything from chapped lips and itchy skin to cracked heels. Relief is in our grasp I am told by the experts. What can we do with the cold-weather threats to our skin?
No one is immune from dry lips in winter. The experts say to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and use a humidifier at home. Other things that will help is to liberally apply beeswax or petroleum jelly to your lips. Put on lip balm or lipstick with sun screen every time you go outside. Avoid being out in the sun and wind too much. Try not to lick your lips as it will make them drier in the long run.
Most of us are on our feet a lot throughout the day. A common complaint in the winter from many, are painful cracked heels. They are often caused by dry skin. Having calluses around the rim of the heel can complicate the problem. In some cases, dry cracked feet can lead to infection or make walking painful.
There are many products on the market and you don’t have to break the bank looking for relief. Keep feet healthy by marinating cracked heels in petroleum jelly, covering them with plastic wrap, and putting on a pair of socks overnight. You should see improvement in a few days.
