Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Helping (our) hands

My favorite spa-like treatment for dry hands involves Old Navy fleece gloves and Curel.



Temps in Charlotte have quickly become mighty frigid for this time of year, and already my hands are taking a beating. I can't seem to put enough lotion on them -- they drink it up and still I have snaggy cuticles and brittle nails.

One way to prevent ashy hands is to wear gloves outdoors constantly.

Here's tip from my mom back home in Michigan, who is a glove-wearing fanatic (and you can tell from her perfectly moisturized hands in the dead of winter): Lotion up your hands right before putting on gloves when you leave in the morning. Make sure to wear your gloves as long as you can, and you'll have a head start on supple hands.

My mom's process works in a similar way to moisturizing your feet with lotion and heavy socks at night, except that it's your hands and you're not sleeping.

Do you have any tips for combating dry skin?

LISTEN UP! I'll be on the Matt & Ramona show at 6 p.m. Wednesday to talk about the five men's must-haves for building a solid wardrobe. Underwear is more important than you think, as are nice shoes. Read more in Thursday's Style section.

4 comments:

  1. When I lived in OH and MI, I learned to always have lotion in the car in case I forgot to put it on before leaving the house. And, yes, gloves. Absolutely essential. During winter, I stash pairs of gloves in strategic places - different coat pockets, car, stroller - so I can't get stuck being without them!

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  2. Burt's Bee's makes a great cuticle moisturizer in a pinch!

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  3. Being from WI, I also know a thing or two about dry skin (and boogers freezing) anyway, that's a topic for another day.....Once a week before bed I use a pumice stone on my feet, then slather Vaseline on them and put socks on. In the morning they'll be just like new! As far as hands go, my dad would swear by Udder Balm (available at most pharmacies) for your hands. And to tame hair static and flyaways, but a little lotion on your hands and run it through your hair or a dryer sheet works too.....

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  4. and.....to prevent dry "cracking" heels on your feet, use a Strydex pad (one for each heel), rub gently, slather lotion on them, wear sox to bed. If you do this for 7 days, you will have the BEST Softest heels all winter.

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