Avoid dry Winter skin

If cooler weather means the more time doing cozy activities in the kitchen, it also heralds our annual nemesis: chapped hands. We use our hands constantly while we cook and wash them just as often. Add on a few rounds of dish washing and our hands are doomed to months of stinging dryness. What can we do?
Regular lotion doesn't really do the trick. Not only do we always seem to be washing our hands again two minutes after putting it on, but it doesn't really take care of the deep, persistent dryness that sets in after a few weeks of cold weather.

We've found that our best strategy has been to invest in a really good, heavy-duty lotion at the beginning of the season and begin applying it a night before bed. As needed, we also put it on a little while before we start cooking (so it has time to sink in before we hit the kitchen) and then again after we're done cooking for the day.

Dry winter skin is the worst. On top of all the cooking, cleaning, gift wrapping and DIY projects (so much glitter and glue) we’ll be doing for the holidays, nature puts our digits through the ringer with its harsh blustery wind and zero-moisture air. Gloves and mittens can only do so much to protect our holiday manis, which is why we’ll be turning to these luscious hand creams to give our dry skin a tall drink of water. You’ll want to have all of these super thick creams and salves on hand this winter.

Here are a few lotions we've found particularly helpful:

1. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream :
This is our go-to hand lotion during the day. It's thick and feels a little greasy going on, but it quickly sinks into our skin and feels great. We also don't feel like we need to re-apply it nearly as much as other lotions. And it's true: "Just a dab" is all you need! (Pack of 4 2-ounce tubes from Amazon.

2. Lush's Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter:
We discovered this product from Lush last winter and fell in love. Rub in as much of this lemon-scented lotion as your cuticles, knuckles, and fingers will take before you go to bed at night and in the morning your poor hands are soft and happy. It's pricey, but this little tub lasts for months.

3. True Blue Spa Look Ma, New Hands Lotion :
Throw this in your purse for a portable salon treatment. A blend of olive, avocado and apricot oils makes this hand cream extra yummy smelling.

4. Supergoop! Forever Young Hand Cream :
For some of us, the winter months mean not seeing the sun for days, even weeks at a time. But that’s no reason to walk around unprotected. Keep sunspots and skin damage at bay with this powerful SPF formula.

5. Glossier Bomb Dotcom :
You’ll want to grab a few tubes of this miracle balm. Packed with castor seed oil, beeswax, lanolin, cupuacu fruit extract, rice bran and rosemary leaf extract, this skin salve will repair irritated winter skin. It’s super concentrated, so you only need a small amount for dry areas like lips, cuticles, elbows and other rough patches.

6. Burt’s Bees Thoroughly Therapeutic Hand Creme :
We’re familiar with honey’s beauty superpower as a tried-and-true ingredient for a DIY face mask, so we’re sold on this Burt’s Bees hand creme. Not to mention, it smells delicious.

7. Neutrogena Fragrance Free Hand Cream:
A tiny drop of this stuff helps to heal the driest winter hands. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, so it won’t compete with your signature scent.

8. L’Occitane Hand Cream :
This might be the world’s favorite hand cream  a tube of this is sold every three seconds. Treat yourself to this ultra luxe treatment with nourishing shea butter.

9. Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream :
While Bliss is known for cheeky packaging, this hand cream gets straight to the point. Macadamia nut and grapeseed oils leave a subtle scent and transform your skin to ultimate silkiness.

10. Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve :
This is the Rolls Royce of winter hand creams. A bead-sized dollop of this works as a second skin shield, and then it’s bye-bye, dry cuticles; hello, smoothest skin ever.

11. Jenna Hipp Essential Nail & Hand Cream :
This set comes with three award-winning hand creams, perfect for holiday gifting to your friends… and yourself. That packaging is sure to brighten up your day every time you re-moisturize.

12. Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl Hand Cream:
Max out your mani’s staying power with this blend of shea butter, avocado and jojoba oil.

13. Eucerin Intensive Repair Hand Creme :
This is just what the doctor ordered. A squeeze of this concentrated moisturizing hand treatment gives immediate results. For ultimate hydration, slather this on and wear a pair of moisture mitts overnight to wake up to the softest hands you’ve ever felt.

14. Aveeno Intense Relief Hand Cream :
Hit your neighborhood drugstore on your way home and grab a few tubes of this Jennifer Aniston-approved hand cream. Aveeno’s signature oatmeal blend is gentle enough for sensitive skin and absorbs quickly for instant hydration.

15. Aveda Hand Relief Hand Cream :
Splurging on a full sized (4 oz) version might be just the holiday treat you need. The light, clean scent of this stress relieving hand cream will melt all your worries (and dry skin) away.

What causes dry skin?

There is no single cause of dry skin.
Dry skin causes can be classified as external and internal. External factors are the most common underlying cause and are the easiest to address. External factors include cold temperatures and low humidity, especially during the winter when central heaters are used. Internal factors include overall health, age, genetics, family history, and a personal history of other medical conditions like atopic dermatitis. In particular those with thyroid disease are more prone to developing dry skin.

External factors that cause dry skin include:

*over-washing with harsh soaps,
*overuse of sanitizers and cleaning agents (alcohol),
*cold temperature,
*low humidity.
*Although bathing and showering adds water to skin, it is the evaporation of this water after the completion of the immersion that results in dry skin. Skin that feels overly tight after bathing may indicate excess removal of natural skin oils.

*One of the most common factors causing dry skin is frequent application of harsh soaps. The type of soap may have a large impact on dry skin. Soap is an emulsifier that removes oils on the skin. The more often skin is scrubbed with soap, the more oil is removed, ultimately resulting in dryer skin. Excessive use of soaps can worsen dry skin.

*Moreover, dry skin may persist or worsen if using moisturizers improperly or choosing an inadequate moisturizer. Sometimes, the material of different clothing can also affect dry skin. Some materials such as wool or synthetic fibers tend to irritate the skin and worsen dry skin.

*Dry skin condition may be caused by taking some medicines as well. Some examples are drugs for high blood pressure, cholesterol, allergies, and acne. Occasionally, a dry skin problem can be a sign of an internal medical condition. For instance, aging may inherently make people more prone to developing dry skin. In addition, eczema, psoriasis, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and malnutrition are all associated with dry skin.

Does dry skin cause winter itch?

Winter itch is a common name for the skin symptom of generalized itching in the winter. It is primarily caused by dry skin and is most common in the elderly. Winter itch caused by dry skin may also be seen commonly in those with a history of eczema, allergies, or asthma. External factors, including cold temperatures, low humidity, and the use of central heat, tend to worsen dry skin during the winter season. Therefore, some people refer the condition of dry skin in the winter as "winter itch."

Do any medications cause dry skin?

Medications for medical conditions like high blood pressure (such as diuretics), cholesterol-lowering drugs, and acne (such as retinoids like Retin A) may also dry out the skin.

What is the treatment for dry skin?

The best treatment for dry skin is daily lubrication with an emollient (a substance that inhibits the evaporation of water). Because most dry skin is due to external causes, external treatments like creams and lotions can be applied and effectively control the skin problem. Often, dry skin can be improved by applying a bland over-the-counter moisturizer. Once other causes of dry skin have been ruled out, the main goals of treatments are to stop the itching, prevent loss of water, and restore skin hydration.

Light moisturizing lotions for mild dry skin

*Cetaphil lotion
*Lubriderm lotion
*Curel lotion
Highly moisturizing products (that characteristically do not flow out of the jar when inverted) for severe dry skin

*Vaseline
*Aquaphor
*Crisco vegetable shortening
*Topical steroid creams include

hydrocortisone 1% cream (mild strength),
Pramosone 2.5% cream (mild strength),
triamcinolone 0.1% cream (medium strength),
fluocinonide 0.05% cream (strong strength).
As a general rule, only mild corticosteroid creams like hydrocortisone should be used on the face, underarm, and groin areas. Long-term application of strong corticosteroid creams like fluocinonide may cause serious adverse effects, including skin thinning, stretch marks, and skin breakdown.

How can dry skin be prevented?

To prevent skin from drying out, it may be helpful to humidify the indoor environment especially during the drier, winter months. Sometimes decreasing bathing frequency, avoiding strong soaps, and decreasing exposure to detergents also may help improve dry skin. Harsh cleansers can strip away the natural oils and sebum from the skin. Limiting exposure to irritants such as solvents and wool clothing can prevent the dry skin condition from worsening.

*Avoid strong soaps and detergents.
*Use indoor room humidifiers.
*Limit exposure to irritants such as solvents.
*Avoid wool clothing.
*Use cotton and natural fiber clothing.
*Move to a super-humid environment like New Orleans, Houston, Bangkok, Hong Kong, or Manila.

What are the best products for dry skin?

Top products for dry skin include mild cleansers and rich moisturizers. Non-scented, mild cleansers or soap-free products include:
* Dove,
*Cetaphil, and
*Purpose soap.
*Thick, greasy,
*moisturizers include Aquaphor,
*Vaseline,
*Crisco, and
*SBR Lipocream.