Winterize your skin

(NC)—If your skin is prone to the effects of cold weather, like many of us, you know that the winter months can wreak havoc on your skin. No matter where you go, it seems that one thing or another is draining your skin of essential moisture. From heating systems to sharp winds to wool fabrics, it can feel impossible to protect yourself from dry, itchy and cracking skin.

Dermatologist and spokesperson for Curel, Dr. Sandy Skotnicki-Grant, has developed this simple list of dos and don'ts that will help you achieve more radiant skin this winter. • Opt for warm – not hot – baths or showers, as hot water strips essential moisture away from your body and can irritate skin. • Left-over detergent residue on your clothes can irritate skin. Ensure your clothes are fully rinsed after washing and consider switching to a milder detergent in winter months. • Put a humidifier in your bedroom and sleep with it on. Using a humidifier will add moisture to the air and leave your skin looking refreshed. • After bathing, pat yourself dry, don't rub, and moisturize immediately. By patting dry, you allow the moisture resting on the top of your skin to remain and by using a deep moisturizer, you can seal in the dampness. • Hot, forced air from a hair dryer will deplete your face's moisture level within seconds. If you blow-dry your hair regularly, make sure you moisturize your face before and after if needed. • When choosing a moisturizer, select one that that is noted for its effectiveness. A favourite is Curel because its lotions are dermatologist tested, hypo-allergenic, non-greasy and provide 24-hour moisturization. As an added bonus, from January to March, 50 cents from the sale of every purchase of Curel moisturizer will be donated to the Starlight Children's Foundation. The program is also encouraging families to upload photos of themselves making snow angels to www.curel.ca, and Curel will donate one dollar for every photo uploaded. - News Canada