Right about now your skin is showing the effects of drying winter winds, central heating, and low humidity conditions. Aside from increasing the humidity in your environment, there are several other things you can do to relieve painful, dry winter skin.
Your skin is your largest living organ and its cells die and are replaced every day. The dead skin cells stack up and can become hardened and cause problems like cracked and bleeding skin – ouch! The key is to exfoliate the skin all over your body, exposing the fresh new cells underneath so that the benefits of moisture treatments can reach them.

Here are two recipes for treatments I have used myself for several years with very good results. I have very dry skin and winter can make it unbearable. The first treatment is a salt scrub and can be used everywhere except on your face. I recommend a good quality facial scrub product used twice or three times a week. The second treatment is an overnight cream that will do wonders for dry, cracked, even bleeding skin.
Salt Exfoliating Scrub Treatment
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sea salt
(Optional) 10-15 drops of any essential oil you like – mint, lavender, rose, etc.
(Optional) 1 tsp liquid Glycerin (available at most drugstores)
Mix thoroughly. Apply to your entire body, paying particular attention to dry rough areas – elbows, knees, feet, heels, hands.
Run a warm (not hot) bath and soak for 15 minutes. The salts and oils will dissolve, and the warm water will help it to get into your skin. When you get out, just gently pat yourself dry. Your skin should feel smooth and moisturized!
Store any leftover scrub in a jar with lid. You can double or triple the recipe if you want to make lots at a time for future use and you can store it at room temperature.
Intense Treatment For Very Dry Problem Areas
I have a couple fingers along with my heels that crack open and bleed from dryness. The homemade cream below is how I survive the winter! Please note that this recipe does contain active ingredients in over the counter (OTC) medicines and you should check with your doctor if you have any concerns about using them.
Many people have problems Candida yeast and it can cause cracked bleeding skin, epecially on feet and heels. Dermatologists often recommend either salicylic acid or anti-yeast medications to treat Candida. I put Monistat and aspirin (salicylic acid) in my treatment in order to attack the problem in both ways. If you know for a fact you do NOT have Candida problems, just omit the Monistat and the aspirin.
Combine:
2 tsp Vicks Vaporub (or Vaseline, if you’re sensitive to menthol)
1 tsp Monistat (or other OTC yeast treatment cream)
1 tsp Neosporin (or other triple antibiotic ointment)
2 tbsp Crisco
1 aspirin, crushed very fine
For an even richer cream with the benefits of beeswax, melt enough pure beeswax in the microwave to make about 1/4 cup. Let it cool slightly and then mix in the remaining ingredients.)
Doing The Treatment:
First I spray hydrogen peroxide I keep in a spray bottle onto affected areas to disinfect skin, then dry with a clean towel.
Apply the cream very generously to the hands and feet and put on clean cotton gloves and socks, letting them absorb the cream overnight. You can put it on your hands a few times during the day as well, allowing it to soak in.
Other Winter Tips
Make sure you dry your hands very thoroughly each time you wash them. Follow each time with a good quality moisturizer. If you are using an antibacterial protector on your hands, try to use one that has moisturizers to prevent additional dryness.
Keep almond oil handy as a cuticle moisturizer and apply whenever you can. It will make a vast difference in the softness of your cuticles. And don’t forget your toes – their cuticles need attention too!
Winter dries out your hair, too. You may need to switch to a richer conditioner, add conditioning moisture treatments, and try to use heated appliances less often. To help with dullness, dryness and frizziness, try a shine product. They will add shine of course but also a bit of oil that helps with moisture.
When you go out in the cold, protect your skin from cold winter air! If you have an autoimmune disorder that causes Raynaud’s, or any other disease that affects your hands, finger joints, etc., this is absolutely critical to prevent pain and flareups. Wear warm footwear and gloves even for short trips outdoors. You can even carry along a heated bag for quick warmups.
I hope all these tips will help you enjoy a much more comfortable winter season!
Written by: Sheila Talley © 2008, www.butyoudontlooksick.com