Preventing Cold Weather Damage To Skin AndLips (NAPSA)—Blustery cold causes our noses to turn red, our breath to freeze and, if we’re not careful, our bodies to turn into parched landscapes of dry, chapped skin. Aside from the sun, nothing wreaks more havoc on the skin than a change in the weather, according to Dr. Charles Zugerman,associate professor of clinical dermatology at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. “Cold, dry air and bitter winds can deplete the skin’s natural moisture and cause a variety of uncomfortable, chronic dry skin conditions,” says Zugerman, who offers the following advice for relieving the most commoncold weatherskincare woes: Heal cracked and peeling lips. Lips are particularly sensitive to the cold, dry temperatures of fall and winter. To prevent mois- ture loss, forego the temptation to lick your lips when they’re feeling dry. Instead, apply a generous layer of a moisturizing lip balm, such as Blistex Complete Moisture with SPF 15, onto yourlips. * Don’t forget the sun. Reflected sunlight from snow, or even sunlight coming through a car or office window, can burn the skin and increase the risks of developing skin cancer. And, remember that gray winter clouds don’t filter the sun’s UVB rays that can cause burning. That’s whyit’s crucial to continue using moisturizing skin and lip care products with an SPF 15 or higher throughout the winter months. Moisturize morning, noon and night. For maximum skin protection, apply a vitaminenriched moisturizer in the morn- ing right after a shower or bath, which allows the moisturizer to be sealed into the skin asit dries. It’s also a good idea to reapply moisturizing products after lunch and any time your skin feels tight and dry. Applying moisturizer at bed- If not protected, skin and lips are susceptible to damage from cold weather. time helps seal in moisture. A three-times-a-day regimen is even more important for your lips, the most exposed and unprotected part of your body. Apply a protective lip balm, such as Blistex Lip Balm with SPF 15, upon waking, at night and throughout the day. * Soothe chapped hands. Hands can easily become dehydrated and chapped in the winter—even cracked to the point of bleeding. To heal severely chapped skin, especially around the knuckles, massage a thick hand cream or petroleum jelly over hands. It’s also a good idea to apply a moisturizing lotion to hands after every washing. Avoid gray elbows and knees. Rubbing or friction on the skin from wool, knits and other warm winter fabrics can cause elbows and knees to becomethick, scaly and rough. To remove dead, gray skin, use an alpha hydroxy lotion or product to exfoliate and moisturize these problem areas. Wear soft, cotton clothing underneath heavier garments and avoid resting elbows on tables or countertops. To discover what your lips are missing, or for additional information about Blistex products and important lip care, visit the Web site at www.Blistex.com.
