Beauty Tip: Expert Tips for Surviving Dry Skin Season. Conquer Calluses With Acids When skin is rubbed against repeatedly, it thickens as a way to protect itself. Layers of skin that compact under pressure lead to the hardened formation of tissue known as a callus, which usually appears on your feet. “Therefore, foot calluses aren’t really a symptom of dry skin, but of shoes that don’t fit correctly and rub against your feet,” explains Schultz. And since your feet will most likely be stuck in winter boots all season, using a moisturizing lotion with a high 15 or 20 percent glycolic acid content will help smooth down calluses that may develop. You can also try a foot pad like Dr. Scholl’s Extra-Thick Callus Removers with salicylic acid. “If you use the foot pads, just wear them overnight so that they don’t add pressure to any rubbing your foot encounters during the day,” advises Schultz. In some cases, what you think is a callus is really a fungal infection. Symptoms of an infection are a white powdery finish in the lines on your feet as well as a thickening of skin that crawls up the back of the heel. “Over-the-counter Lotrimin can help clear up a fungal infection of this kind,” says Schultz. Julien L. Balmer | Stocksy Tight Skin Means It’s Time to Change Things Up If your skin feels like it’s one size too small, you’re likely using products that are drying out the surface layer. “Sometimes the cleansers we use in the spring and summer are simply too drying for fall and winter,” says Kazin. Switch to a non-foaming cream cleanser like MD Complete Anti-Aging Restoring Cleanser that will gently cleanse while retaining moisture with essential fatty acids, aloe vera, and chamomile. Avoid dehydrating cleansers that contain glycolic or salicylic acid. And if you wash your face twice a day, switch to just once at night to prevent unnecessary moisture loss. In the morning, gently run a warm, wet washcloth over your skin to quickly refresh. After cleansing, pat – don’t rub – your skin with a clean cotton washcloth and immediately apply moisturizer to lock in hydration. And be aware of how your diet may be affecting the comfort level of your skin. “Salty foods and not enough fluid intake can make your skin feel dry, as well as certain medications like diuretics used for high blood pressure,” says Zelickson. In addition to drinking more water, try adding extra water-rich foods to your diet, like leafy greens, cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, and strawberries. David Harrigan | Corbis Relieve Redness With Simple Ingredients Skin flushed in redness can be bothersome and even embarrassing when it doesn’t fade. According to Kazin, crimson skin that appears only in the very dry and cold weather is typically a form of eczema or dermatitis. People who don’t otherwise have a history of either condition in normal circumstances can easily still fall prey. (Rosacea, on the other hand, is another flushing skin condition that is usually genetic and occurs year-round). “The redness signals that the skin barrier is compromised and that skin is more sensitive now to allergens and irritants that otherwise wouldn’t bother you,” explains Kazin. Important parts of the barrier are made up of ceramides and lipids, so these are the ingredients you should look for in cleansers. To moisturize, use humectants to draw in hydration and emollients to retain it. Try adding a hypoallergenic hydrator to your routine with both ingredients, like Simple Nourishing 24Hr Day/Night Cream. It may be helpful to keep products like this on hand when temperatures dip and your skin tends toward redness, and switch them in until conditions subside. Avoiding fragranced formulas and treatment ingredients like salicylic acid, glyco
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 13:44:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015