I've spent a lot of time over past weeks thanking the heavens for leggings and long sleeves. When your skin is pasty, dry and rough, it's a good idea to cover it up. But patchy limbs and scaly feet aren't the only winter woes likely to crop up during the next few months. There are others.
Red faced and irritable. Colder temperatures, and greater exposure to heaters and air con, etc can all cause havoc. But so, too, can the wrong cleanser. Even worse than over-long hot showers or baths, soap-based foaming cleansers will strip skin of natural lipids and leave it dry and uncomfortable. An ultra-nourishing option is Trilogy's Very Gentle Cleansing Cream ($47); QV's Face Gentle Cleanser ($21) is another.
Foundation flake. One of the consequences of dry skin is that your foundation won't sit nicely on top. Overcome this with regular exfoliation and a hydrating foundation. Try a gentle polish with a non-abrasive product like Savar's Refining Revitalising Facial Exfoliator ($39), which can be used several times a week. And consider a moisture-packed foundation such as that from Dr. Hauschka ($63).
Chapped lips. One of the best products I've ever found to relieve sore lips is La Prairie's multi-tasking Anti-Aging Eye and Lip Perfection ($250). Within its posh silvery packaging are two balms - one for eyes, one for lips. It isn't cheap but both creams are excellent. On the other hand, Kiss Lip Balm in Strawberry ($8) is an all-natural option, and bargainous to boot.
Rough feet. It's all too easy to forget foot maintenance when your naked tootsies are unlikely to see daylight for a few months. But good prep now will pay dividends come summer. Soak neglected feet in a tub containing about half a cup of Dr Teal's Epsom Salt Foot Soak Revitalize & Refresh ($20), following up with rich salve like L'Occitane's Shea Butter Foot Cream ($51), which contains lavender and arnica to keep feet soft, supple and sweet smelling.
