The icy winds and cold temperatures may evoke happiness and warmth in some people, but in reality, winter comes with a set of woes that are frustrating. The cold, dry air can wreak havoc on our skin, leaving our lips, hands, and heels cracked and flaky.

These problems are undoubtedly a nightmare and can negatively affect our mood and confidence.

Lips

Cold temperatures can cause the lips to dry and crack. The lips don’t have oil glands like other parts of the body, meaning they aren’t capable of producing their natural oils to maintain moisture.

During Winter, the low humidity levels and windy conditions cause the lips to become dry and lose moisture. This loss of moisture can result in lip chapping and even bleeding.

To prevent lip chapping, it’s crucial to keep your lips hydrated, and lips balms are your go-to product for correcting the situation. Lip balms shield the lips against the harsh conditions by providing a protective barrier against the weather.

Lip balms are either oil-based, wax-based, or butter-based. Choose a lip balm made with natural ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, and vitamin E. Avoid using lip balms with scents or flavors as they can irritate the skin.

If your lips are severely chapped and using a lip balm isn’t working, try hydrocortisone cream or aloe vera cream to soothe the dry and cracked skin.

You can also make a lip scrub by mixing brown sugar and honey, rub on the lips gently, and rinse off.

Hands

The skin on our hands is delicate; therefore, frequent washing and exposure to harsh weather conditions can lead to dry, cracked, and painful skin. Dry hands can further be intensified by central heating and water exposure.

Dry hands can even lead to cuts and bleeding if left untreated, leading to infections.

The best way to protect your hands from the winter cold is by putting on gloves at all times when outdoors. Gloves should also be made of breathable fabrics to prevent sweating, which can make hands dry.

While washing your hands, avoid using hot water, which can strip the skin of its natural oils. Instead, opt for lukewarm water and hydrating hand washes with natural ingredients like shea butter.

Apply hand cream after washing your hands and invest in a rich, hydrating cream that will moisturize your hands for longer. The ideal time to moisturize your hands is before bed at night.

You can also wear gloves after applying hand cream to enhance absorption.

Heels

The feet are among the most neglected areas of the body, yet they require constant care, especially during winter.

The skin on the feet is thicker than skin elsewhere on the body; however, it can still quickly dry out and crack, leading to pain and discomfort.

One of the easiest ways of protecting your heels during winter is by wearing appropriate footwear when heading outdoors. Boots or sturdy, closed-toe shoes that cover the heel are ideal.

While indoors, avoid walking around barefoot, but instead wear socks or soft slippers to protect the skin.

Invest in a quality foot cream made with natural ingredients like coconut oil, tea tree oil, and shea butter. Apply the foot cream to your feet, especially on the heels and massage them gently.

Do this every night before bed, and put on socks to keep the cream in place and enhance absorption.

You should also exfoliate your feet weekly to remove dead skin cells that can cause cracked heels. An easy DIY exfoliating remedy is mixing baby oil with salt or sugar to create a scrub. Massage this onto your feet gently.

Conclusion

Winter woes such as cracking lips, hands and heels can be frustrating, but with the above tips, you can prevent and treat them.

Keep in mind that prevention is key, so be sure to take necessary precautions such as wearing gloves and boots and investing in hydrating creams. All in all, winter shouldn’t be an excuse as to why your lips, hands, and feet remain flaky and dry.