Cold Hard Facts

Cold winter air and dry indoor heat often lead to dry, itchy, irritated skin. If dryness leads to cracking, splitting or bleeding, there is an increased chance of infection. To combat dry winter skin, switch to alcohol-free vegetable-based soaps. Perfumed and deodorant soaps contain alcohol, which further aggravates dry skin. Apply moisturizer such as body oil, lotion or cream immediately after bathing or showering, while your skin is still warm and moist. This helps to trap the water in the skin before it evaporates, lessening dryness and itching. For extremely dry skin areas, use Watkins Petro Carbo Salve to protect skin from cracking. Watkins has a variety of products to help keep skin and lips moist and smooth all winter, including Aloe & Green Tea Hand & Body Lotion, Aloe Lip Balm, and alcohol-free, vegetable-based Aloe & Green Tea Body Bar, as well as our All-Natural Body Oils and Lemon Cream Shea Butter for extra moisturizing benefits.

Brenda Koth, MS, RD