Sub-zero temperatures. Arid indoor heating. Regular blasts of wind, sleet and snow. The result:  dry, chapped, chafed and dull winter skin. Do you brave the cold for a spa solution?  Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to soothe your skin from head to toe without ever leaving the cozy comfort of home.


Lips

Lips are especially sensitive to drying winter conditions, and muffling up with a scarf several times a day makes moisturizing lipsticks and glosses a rather sticky solution. Instead, mix a teaspoon of sugar with a few drops of olive oil and gently exfoliate lips with the sweet paste several nights a week. You’ll get instantly smoother, softer lips.

Store-bought Solution: (1) Philosophy Kiss Me Exfoliating Lip Scrub

Hands & Feet

Rough cuticles and cracked soles call for some heavy-duty TLC. Soften skin with a warm bath or shower, then apply a generous layer of petroleum jelly to feet and slip on a pair of cotton socks. Repeat with hands, following with fitted cotton gloves (the ones made for children are perfect). Go to bed; the thick moisturizer will absorb overnight, leaving skin baby soft.

Store-bought Solution: (2) Sally Hansen 18 Hour Cracked Heel Creme, (3) Sally Hansen Salon Hand Care Severely Dry Chapped Hand Remedy

Body

For silky skin, try a soothing milk and honey bath. The lactic acid in milk helps dissolve dead skin cells, and honey is naturally hydrating. Simply add two to four cups of milk and one cup of honey to running water, then soak for twenty minutes. While a hot bath is tempting, keep your water temperature warm, not scalding. Hot water can make dry skin worse.

Store-bought Solution: (4) Skin MD Face, Hand and Body Shielding Lotion, (5) Lady Primrose Royal Extract Milk & Honey Bath

by Melanie Franz