It's about that time of year, It's past NaNoWriMo, you're catching up on your homework and schoolwork, (if you did NaNo, at least) and nearing our favorite holidays. It's also that time where your skin gets dry, wind-burned, etc . . .
Here's one note to those of you who live in warm winter weather -- you won't need this, I can guarantee it.
I, along with a lot of other people, do not like dry and itchy skin. Well, here's your solution to those awful and unkind things.
For dry skin:
Lots of us get dry skin in the winter. As much as we hate it, we try to make it go away. I use home remedies for dry skin (which work very well for me) and I use it a lot in the winter.
Do not drink a bunch of water. Drinking more water does not solve dry skin. "If you're totally dehydrated, your skin will become dry," says Kenneth Neldner, M.D., a professor and chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. "But if you are normally hydrated, you cannot possibly counteract or correct dry skin by drinking water."
I did a little bit of research one day, and found that soaking in a fifteen minute bath in lukewarm water, and follow with a skin moisturizer to lock it in. If you don't use a moisturizer, the water in the pores will evaporate. If you want to do this on your face, then do a mildly warm wet washcloth on your face for about ten minutes, then wash your face. The water will not wash out, I promise. Oh, and one more thing -- don't dry yourself completely before applying the moisturizer. It will work better if you have damp skin instead of completely dry skin.
Humidifiers DO help the skin. A lot of the problems with dry skin is caused by dry heat. If you usually use a heater, use a humidifier. They aren't only for colds and coughs.
Enough with the dry skin, let's move on.
For wind burned skin:
Okay, I will admit, I am prone to windburned skin. I hate it so much! Here are some ideas on how to prevent/get rid of it:
Windburn is a skin irritation due to cold, windy weather. Why does it happen? Wind causes the loss of the oil layer on your skin, causing a sunburn-like rash thing.
Aloe or dermaid aloe help a lot. Regular aloe vera is just fine, but for some I would recommend dermaid aloe. No, you don't have to buy a fancy brand. What this does is restore the oil to your skin to get rid of the windburn.
And for goodness sake, COVER UP! That's what causes it in most cases: not covering up your skin well enough. Wear a scarf, earmuffs, a hat, even a mask if you need to! I occasionally forget this, which is why I get it so often.
For chapped lips:
Ugh, I hate it when I get chapped and sore lips. Of course, you're thinking: Oh, you just apply lip balm and chapstick every so often. Well yes, that is one of the solutions, but here's a few other ways to get rid of the yucky sensation.
For girls: Wear Lipstick! It isn't only to brighten your lips. Some lipsticks have moisturizers to help moisten and can also protect from chapped and sore lips.
NO, licking them WILL NOT help. Licking them will apply moisture for a short time, but make lips even drier than they were before.
This one doesn't get any more home-remedied than this: apply one bare finger to the side of your nose. Hold for 30 seconds or more, then rub it on your lips. They should feel a little bit softer, if not, do it again in about a minute or two.
In conclusion:
If you get any of these once in awhile, these remedies can help most people. If they don't work, I recommend seeing and asking your doctor (explain what you did to help) or look up some different remedies on Google or another resourceful site or place.
If you have suggestions or questions on a typical condition (such as zits, coughs, dry skin, etc.) please y-mail me.
So long for now,
Kandy334
Author's Note: Sources: http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/48/228.cfm
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/bookshelf/Books/47/49.cfm
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/47/31.cfm
