Old man Winter not only makes our little ones chilly and has us digging out the mittens, but he makes our skin a mess. You know how we worry about the kids staying hydrated? We've got to worry about ourselves, too.

When the weatherman says rain, snow, sleet, or even cloud cover is in your forecast, that could mean that dry, chapped, and cracked skin is also on the radar. Indoor heating can also make your skin feel parched and itchy.

We all know moisturizing helps, but there are other ways to keep your skin healthy. Mom of three, Kayla Fioravanti is going to help us out. Look out Old man Winter...we're ready for battle!


Kayla is a registered Aromatherapist and Chief Formulator and co-founder of Essential Wholesale and von Natur. Here are her tips.

1. Get creamy with your cleanse: Consider switching to a creme, lotion, or milk cleanser. The same treatment you used on your face for summer, isn't effective for winter. Too harsh.

2. Watch your tone: Put away your astringents and switch to a toner for winter. Your skin needs to be soothed and balanced and not dried out further by an astringent.

3. Feed your skin with moisturizer: Consider heavier cream in the winter than you would in the summer months. Try your heavy eye cream around your lips and entire face. If your skin is itching, it is because the dry air of winter is causing the moisture in the top layer of your skin to evaporate quickly. Slather those areas with extra moisture until you feel relief. Some skin types can use pure oils on skin. Jojoba oil or olive oil is a great thing to have on hand all winter. LavenderMom23 agrees with this natural winter skin remedy!

  • Extra: During the cold and flu season you should wash your hands liberally, but be certain to apply a heavy hand cream every time you wash your hands.

4. Don't be flaky: Exfoliate twice per week to remove dead skin cells and allow your skin to absorb the extra moisture you are lathering on. Heating systems makes sebum (oil) overproduce, which makes our skin lose moisture. You know the dry skin that is flaking off your body? It's thousands of dry skin cells clumped together and ready to be sloughed off. Exfoliate so your skin is ready to take in moisturizer. jrgorby19 thinks exfoliating is key.

5. Be hot and cold: For a simple in home hydrotherapy, start out your day with a hot steamy shower and just as you are finishing switch the water to cold for about fifteen seconds. Repeat the process for two minutes. This hydrotherapy technique will revitalize your skin by stimulating the flow of blood through the skin.

6. Have a shower buddy: One of the greatest times to apply body oil or creme is right after a hot bath or shower, but did you know you can apply while you are in the tub, too? The heat and steam from the shower allows your skin to thoroughly absorb moisture. You can even shave with them. The rich oils protect your skin and give your razor a perfect glide. 

Any of these work for you? Share with us!