
Article archived: February, 2010
Walking down the health and beauty aisles at Giant Eagle® can feel invigorating. With so many skin and lip care products to choose from, you know you can find what's right — for you.
Selecting products for winter is easy with the right information: You need to find the right products to heal dry, chapped skin while maintaining a healthy balance of oils. Choose your moisturizer and lip balm wisely and you'll save time and money, while looking and feeling your best. Our guide will help you banish winter skin woes.
Assess for success
You know your skin best! Choosing products — and taking preventative action — is easy once you're in tune with the unique requirements of winter skin and lip care.
Skin care tips
- Even if your skin tends to be oily, it can become dry in the winter. You should reassess your skin care regimen with every season’s change. The light, oil-free moisturizer you use in the warmer months may not offer enough protection from dry, scaly winter skin.
- If your skin is dry, look for lotions that contain soothing aloe, moisturizing jojoba or shea, and Vitamin E.
- Target the right product to the right area. You may need a more intensive moisturizer for your hands and body, and a non-comedogenic lotion (or, a lotion that won't clog pores) for your face.
- Remember – the sun still shines in winter! Consider using a moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher to prevent sun-related skin damage.
- Gloves and scarves are more than a fashion statement. Reducing the time your skin is exposed to harsh weather can keep skin supple.
- Consider using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or lotion-infused soap to clean your hands instead of harsher soap and water. Many formulas contain moisturizers, and hand sanitizer is often less drying than hand soap.
- Drink plenty of water, and consider using a humidifier. Increasing the moisture in your home can help stave off skin problems all winter long.
Lip care tips
- When it comes to choosing lip balms, consider ingredients. Some lip balms are specifically designed to protect lips from becoming chapped and wind-burned. Other lip balms, such as those containing bees’ wax, are more suitable for moisturizing.
- If you’re spending time outdoors, choose a lip balm with sunscreen. Look for an SPF 15 formula.
- If you’re trying to heal deep cracks or cold sores, choose a medicated lip balm specifically designed to treat those conditions. Menthol can soothe irritated skin and help treat cold sores.
- Don't wait. There are products for every type of dry skin or chapped lips, but taking action quickly will yield a healthier, happier cold-weather skin season.
Easy skin care ideas
- Think small. Travel-sized lotions are easy to stash at work, and frequent re-application throughout the day can save your skin from the effects of winter weather.
- Lip balm containers, too, are conveniently small – but also easily misplaced. Try leaving one in your car, one in your purse or pocket, one at your desk, and one at home so you can re-apply frequently.
Recommended products
Top Care® products contain the same active ingredients as their national-brand counterparts. They cost up to 50% less, too!
For skin
- Top Care® Cocoa Butter Lotion moisturizes dry winter skin and promotes fast healing.
- Top Care® Body Wash Moisturizer with Shea Butter moisturizes chapped or wind-burned skin and soothes irritation.
For lips
- Top Care® Peppermint Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E is soothing and invigorating.
- Top Care® Lip Balm – Moisturizer with Sunscreen Formula and Aloe provides moisture, and protects with SPF 15.
- Top Care® Cherry-Flavored Lip Balm with Skin Protectant and Sunscreen creates a protective barrier, fortifying your lips against harsh winter conditions.
- Top Care® Medicated Lip Balm provides intensive care for cracked lips, adds natural emollients to your skin, and locks in moisture.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control
National Institutes of Health
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