Cold Weather Skin Problems & Their Fixes

I absolutely love the colder weather.

I can layer on my clothes, indulge in a fun beanie or scarf, and sip on my favorite hot drinks.

But along with the good, the cold comes with some negative drawbacks, particularly when it comes to my skin!

Today I want to talk about some of the more common cold weather skin care problems, and give you my personal favorite tips for remedying them in a pinch!

Dry Hands

Dry hands, or in my case, painfully dry hands, are usually the first indication that I need to step my cold weather game up.

How do I remedy this? By always have a good hand-cream in tow!

Look for formulas that are hand specific.

If it happens to be formulated with antioxidants and healthy oils, then even better!

Apply as soon as you notice any dryness, and immediately after you wash (and dry) your hands to avoid getting to the point of painful, cracking skin.

Two formulas I have been absolutely loving this season have been Rhonda Allison's Phyto-Endorphin Hand Cream and Clayton Shagal Hand Cream.

I find this be to be the perfect combo for keeping my hands nourished and happy.

A helpful tip: for extra nourishment, slather your favorite hand cream on at night before putting on a pair of cotton gloves. This will help to lock moisture into your skin for extra-soft hands in the AM.

Flaky, Dry Patches on Your Face

It is very likely that your hands aren't the only part of your body responding to the cold.

If you are noticing flaky, dry patches on your skin, it is likely time to up your exfoliation and moisturizing game.

When it comes to exfoliation, it is up to you (and your esthetician) to decide the best course of action.

If you are looking for something you can use daily, Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant (a personal favorite of mine) might be right up your alley.

Whether you choose a daily, weekly, or bi-weekly treatment, but sure to follow directions and stick to your regimen.

Follow up your exfoliation with a nourishing serum and/or moisturizer.

An added bonus: this regimen will help you combat dullness as well, which tends to show itself during the colder fall/winter months.

If brightening is your goal, look for exfoliants and serums/moisturizers that target skin dullness and skin brightening for beautiful results.

Flaky, Dry Patches on Your Body

While the skin on your body is typically tougher than the skin on your face, it is not uncommon to see the same dryness (and oftentimes flakiness) on your arms, legs, back, etc., as you do on your face.

While the products will be different, the regimen will be the same.

Find a good body scrub (I love Pure Fiji's Sugar Rub) to indulge in, and follow it up with a hydrating lotion or body oil.

Cracked Skin

In cases of severe dryness, it is not uncommon for skin to sometimes crack.

Applying any typical lotion on top of cracked skin is not advisable, as the chemicals and fragrances can often act as irritants on the small wounds.