Winter Skin Care 101: Factvs. Fiction (NAPSA}—Winter-proofing skin against frigid temperatures and bitter winds is easier said than done. Before you knowit, your complexion is as pale and dreary as the weatheroutside your window. Being aware of a few common skin care mythsis thefirst step to keeping your complexion healthy all season long. Dr. David Colbert, founder and head physician of NY Dermatology Group, lays the most pervasive of them to rest for once and for all. Readonforthefacts: Myth: Blasting indoor heat Photograph:Michelle Kawka will protect skin against moisture-sapping winds and frosty temperatures. The right winter gear can help exposureis one of the smartest, ways to protect your skin, turning exercise routines until closer to swimsuit season. gloves. ments, try sipping some hot green or even stress. Dr. Colbert recom- ization. Try using a petroleum- product such as Nexcare Cold Sore Treatment on hand to relieve the summer. Fact: While limiting outdoor keep skin healthy year-round. up the heat inside your home or Fact: Maintaining a healthy office can be extremely drying. On lifestyle is important year-round. the other hand, running a humidi- Twenty to 30 minutes of aerobic fier indoors can actually seem exercise three times a week can warming while also preventing help give skin a healthy glow all skin from feeling dry and flaky. winter. Remembertostay hydrated Remember to keep the moisture by drinking lots of water, which level above 60 percent, and—if also helps skin stay moisturized you do find yourself outdoors— while flushing away toxins. If you cover up with hats, scarves and aren't meeting daily water requireMyth: The pain and cracking tea—itwill keep you warm,too. associated with cold sore outbreaks Myth: Lip balm prevents is an untreatable fact of winter. chapping. Fact: People who are prone to Fact: Be selective when chooscold sore breakouts often see ing a lip balm sincenotall of them painfulflare-ups during winter are created equal, and some may months due to cold and flu season, not provide much-needed moisturmends keeping an over-the-counter pain, drying and cracking associ- ated with outbreaks. It combines Microvex Soothing Emollient, a nongreasy emollient that provides deep moisturizing benefits, with active ingredients benzocaine and allantoinfor fast pain relief and lip protection. Myth: It’s OK to cut back on based product for extra protection. Myth: Sunscreen is only for Fact: Wrinkle- and cancer-caus- ing UV rays can penetrate even the cloudiest of winter skies. And for those who ski, UV exposureis even greater. That means applying sun- screen year-round—especially one that protects against UVA and UVB rays to prevent skin damage and premature wrinkles.
