Coping with dry skin

by EMMA SCIANTARELLI

FROM ISSUE # 156 (December 2008) | IN THIS ISSUE
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Most of the year, in most places in Nepal, the weather is fairly humid, but when the cold season arrives, everything gets a little bit dry– including you.  Everything from your face to your feet will suffer if you don't take the proper steps to avoid dryness.

Water: For a lot of people, when the heat disappears, so does the habit of drinking water on a regular basis. In the summers, you probably find yourself reaching for a chilled or even a room temperature water nearly every chance you get in order to cool down, but in the winter?  I think not. The biggest mistake that most people make during the winter is exchanging all those tall glasses of water for hot teas and coffee. Instead of hydrating the body, caffeine in these drinks actually dehydrates the body and when your insides are lacking water supply, so is your skin. Avoid this by sticking to plain hot water or  caffeine-free teas such as chamomile or peppermint tea.

Face: When it is hot and sticky during the summers, you may be able to get away without putting a moisturizer on your face, but in the winter it's a definite must for all skin types. Even oily skin will tend to be unnecessarily dry during the season. Find a cream suitable for your skin type and apply it at least once a day.  If you have naturally dry skin, try to apply it in the morning and night. 

Feet: Are your feet not only a little under moisturized, but bearing the marks of severe winter dryness?  If your feet are already cracking around the heal and the ball of the foot, or you just want to take precautionary measures to make sure they don't, then give your feet a little extra night-time love. Lather on a thick layer of petroleum jelly before you go to bed and keep on an old pair of socks. The socks will lock in the petroleum jelly to make sure your feet soak up the maximum amount of moisture.

Lips: Even if you don't have a boyfriend, it's always nice to keep your lips kiss-ably smooth 'just in case', but doing so during the winter takes a little extra effort. Carry around a lip moisturizer at all times and apply regularly. And ladies, just because it goes on your lips, don't mean it's moisturizing – all lipsticks and lip glosses are not moisturizing. Only lip glosses specially designed with moisturizers will actually work!  For a time tested brand, check out Burt's Bees in the mustard-colored tin. It's a time-tested favorite by snowboarders and cold weather enthusiasts across the globe!

Be sun-conscious: Just because the cold air is here doesn't mean the sun is not… and just because the sun might be hiding behind the fog doesn't mean harmful UV rays are gone. Winter months can be the most dangerous time of year for your skin for no other reason but negligance and ignorance. Don't be fooled by dreary days – UV rays are still alive and well even on the dimmest and chilliest of days. So take precautions and cherish your skin. Whether it is July or December, get in the habit of applying sun screen whenever you plan on spending a lot of time outside.