The cold weather months are in full swing, and that means hot chocolate and fuzzy sweaters are the fashion for the season. What`s not in style is dry, chapped winter skin but there is help for this condition. To keep your skin soft and supple, follow these five tips to keep skin moisturized and beautiful.

Tip #1: Hydrate

Yes, you’ve heard it before – probably many times and for many reasons. Drink your water! Why do you hear this mantra so often? Because there are few things as good for your body and as easy to do as drinking plenty of water every day. A good rule of thumb is to take your weight, cut the number in half and use that as the number of ounces of water you should consume every day. For example, if you weigh 130 pounds, try to drink 65 ounces of water daily. Your skin is yet another good excuse, so drink up!

Tip #2: Exfoliate

Dry skin leads to a flaky, lackluster complexion, so slough off that unattractive layer with an exfoliating treatment at least once a week. There are plenty of good commercial products that you can buy for this purpose, or you can make your own using a favorite cleanser and some coarse salt or sugar. You can also surf the “net” for plenty of great recipes for exfoliating cleansers. This process will remove that outer layer of dry skin, leaving your complexion softer and more radiant. Use your exfoliating cleanser all over your body during your shower for radiant, softer skin.

Tip #3: Moisturize

It may seem like this is an obvious step to keeping skin soft, but it simply cannot be state enough. Moisturize after your shower in the morning and before bed at night. Keep a small bottle of lotion in your purse for your hands and other dry spots throughout the day. Switch to a moisturizing cleanser for your hands, and another for the shower. A general guideline is that the thicker the moisturizer the more it softening action it will include, so go thick and goopy for the softest skin on the block!

Tip #4: Get out the Gloves

Wearing gloves is a great way to protect your hands from the elements, so don them every time you head out the door in the winter. For additional protection, slather on the hand cream before pulling your gloves on. You can also get a pair of cotton gloves to wear at night after covering your hands in moisturizer. The gloves will help the lotion to penetrate your skin, leaving you with softer hands in the morning. You can also use this tip to keep your feet soft and smooth. In the evenings, remove your shoes and socks and slather your feet in a rich, thick moisturizer. Replace your socks and allow the cream to do its work as you do yours.

Tip #5: Stay out of Hot Water

Literally, that is. While a hot shower or bath might feel heavenly during the coldest months of the year, the warmer water will strip your body of moisture, leaving it dry and rough afterward. Keep your bathing to a lukewarm temperature, and make sure that you apply a moisturizer right after bathing. For additional hydration, use your lotion while your skin is still moist to lock in the moisture and keep your skin softer for a longer period of time.

Cold weather doesn’t have to mean dry, flaky skin, you can enjoy softer skin no matter how low the thermometer goes. Spend your winter beautiful.

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