End-of-Winter Skin Boosters

It’s been a frigid winter throughout much of the country and, although the sun is shining and temperatures are beginning to climb, indoor heating and blustery wind still take their toll on our skin.  If you suffer from any or all of the ailments below, keep your skin looking and feeling good as you transition to the warmer months with these skin boosters.

Sun Damage – Whether it’s being reflected off snow or kissing your face directly, the sun can damage your skin and cause it to age prematurely.  Protect yourself with Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defense SPF 50, the highest SPF available in a moisturizer designed specifically for the face.  It now comes with a press tube pump to make applying the proper amount of sunscreen even more convenient. Available for $13.99 at major retail, grocery, drug and discount stores nationwide or by visiting http://www.cetaphil.com/Products/DefenseSPF50.aspx.

Chapped Lips – Protect your pucker with jane iredale’s Sugar & Butter Lip Exfoliator.  Made of an all natural combination of beeswax and organic brown sugar, this unique product was created to gently exfoliate dull, dry skin. (It tastes yummy too, but resist the urge to lick it off your lips.  Have someone else do it instead.) Available for $24. at janeiredaledirect.com.

Dry Skin – Dry skin is a problem for many women all year round.  But in the cold weather months, you might want to try a product with a little extra oomph. One you might like is Bio-Oil, an oil-based moisturizer that, compared to water-based formulations, forms a protective layer on the skin to lock in added moisture and replenish natural oils that have been stripped away during harsh winter months. Bio-Oil is available starting at $11.00 at Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS and other leading drugs stores. For more information, visit http://www.bio-oil.com.

Red Skin – This is a common problem for many women and might be attributed to dryness. If that’s the case, you might want to add a hydrating serum that contains antioxidants and humectants to your skin care regimen.  One to try:  PCA Skin’s Collagen Hydrator to help reduce water loss from the skin and help balance skin tone too.  It’s $28. by calling 877-PCA-SKIN(722-7546) or visiting http://www.pcaskin.com.