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Anyone that has lived in or visited Chicago in the winter knows that the bitter cold takes its toll on your skin. After being here for 32 years, I have gotten to the point of pretty much forgetting about my skin when the temperature drops because I know there isn’t much hope until it starts warming up again. I get pasty white, dry, and itchy with the occasional patch of eczema on my arm. Shaving of the legs doesn’t happen very often. I call it my winter fur. With the amount of layers I have to wear in the dead of winter, my lack of skin maintenance is my little secret that gets tucked away in my pocket until the spring clothes come back out.
I’m a bit scared this year though, because this time, I can’t ignore my skin. The wedding is fast approaching and I can’t let my skin look the way it did this past April. So I decided to come up with a 7-step plan of attack, and who knows, maybe I’ll stay on this regimen for years to come. Though knowing my history, I’m guessing probably not. Baby steps.
To add to the dry winter skin dilemma, I went off the pill a year ago to up our chances down the road for little Nachos.
The problem is, I didn’t realize those hormones had been doing fantastic things for my skin, and once I stopped taking them, my body went a little nutzo. My forehead is like a mirror by the end of the day if I don’t blot it periodically. I now, without fail, get the PMS zit. And it’s never a little one, it’s always one of those big, painful, wake up and wonder if I somehow punched myself in the chin, underground mountains. And I hate hate HATE to admit it, but I. Had. Backne. Ugh. I actually debated going back on the pill because for years I never had any problems like this, but decided I’d have to go through this eventually so I might as well face it now.
So here’s my plan of attack against the winter skin blues to make sure it looks fabulous come April…
1. Lukewarm showers
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For someone who is always cold, there is nothing better than jumping into a scalding hot shower and letting my chills wash down the drain. Though I will miss them more than anyone will know, I am convinced those showers are the number one reason my skin ends up so dry.
2. Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash
I’ve always been an Ivory soap girl, but I need a little extra help fighting off those little bumps that randomly appear on my legs and upper back (ew, I still hate the thought of those). That, paired with scrubby shower gloves from CVS, seem to be doing the trick. If you’ve never tried the gloves, at $3.99 a pair I HIGHLY recommend them.
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3. Clean and Clear Continuous Control Cleanser
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I’ve been using this stuff for years, and although a lot of people are sensitive to benzoyl peroxide, it’s the only face wash that works for me to keep the blemishes away.
4. Clean and Clear Acne Spot Treatment
This is a new thing that I just started using – when I saw “100% of people saw improvement in 1 day”, I couldn’t resist! Have I mentioned that stress also has been taking a huge toll on my skin? Although the wedding planning hasn’t been too stressful thus far, knowing it’s right around the corner is starting to wreak havoc on my face. So far, this stuff is awesome!
5. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
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I normally only use lotion when it’s too late and I’m all dry and flaky. But for the past 2 weeks, I’ve been coating myself in the stuff right out of the shower and it’s really making a huge difference. I’ve been using Dove cucumber/green tea lotion and I really like that I don’t feel sticky after I put it on.
6. (gasp!) Tanning
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I know it is a hot topic, but I have been hitting the tanning beds, usually about once a week for the last month. Many people are against tanning, but my dermatologist actually said a little sun is good for you. It makes your skin stronger, clears up eczema, and makes your body produce Vitamin D which is critical for bone health and cell growth. My doctor actually has a stand up bed in the office for eczema patients and prescribes timed “light sessions”. It was the first thing I did when I noticed my upper back bumps (Ew, I say. Ew.) and it cleared up very quickly. I don’t overexpose, I go for less time than recommended, and I know it will help me not burn the second I hit the beach in St. Thomas.
7. Drink lots of water
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I am normally a huge water drinker to begin with, but I’m trying to up my consumption to flush out those nasty toxins that can affect your skin in not so pretty ways. It also plumps it up and helps with those yucko dark circles.
I’m hoping to have the same glow I get in the summer for the wedding, and I’m thinking if I can stick to my plan, it will happen. As for the hormones, there’s not a whole lot I can do other than attack back when they go haywire.
I needs me some bridal glow! Fingers crossed for pretty skin in the spring…
Have you upped your skin regimen to prepare for your wedding? What products have you been using with success?
First thing in the morning, I drink 1 tablespoon of raw Apple Cider Vinegar (I use Bragg’s) in 8 oz. of water. (You can add a little honey if you don’t like the taste). It really gets your metabolism moving and flushes out the toxins!
I also take a tablespoon of flax oil before eating
I completely feel your pain. Every year I swear I can tell when snow is coming becuae my skin get super dry and I break out more (probably more related to the holidays though).
I already use a lot of the products you have and I think they work great! As far as tanning, I hate to admit it but I do really short sessions in the winter two. I go for like 8 minutes once a week. Not enough to get really tan, just enough to keep my mood up. It is just a nice little pick me up after being stuck in the house all day and never being out in the sun.
One thing to warn you ladies about is that traditional tanning beds DO NOT help with vitamin D production. Because it is a synthetic sunlight, it does not permeate down to the layers of skinf that absorb the sunlight.
I have a severe vitmamin D deficiency and I was hoping that tanning would work but alas, no. Maybe I should get a dermatologist that has a special sun lamp too!
I learned from my doctor that sometimes conditioner can cause bacne (ew). So, I now wash and condition my hair, then pin it up and wash my back to make sure I get rid of all the excess film from the conditioner. Works like a charm!
@Clover: I’ve been doing the same exact thing cause I noticed after I rinsed my hair, there was a nice slick layer of conditioner on my upper back. It’s definitely helping.
@bakingbride: The dermatologist has had me use her bed for “light therapy” to treat my eczema, but I’m not sure if it’s any different from the standard tanning beds, or if they just consider it “safer” cause it’s controlled by a doctor. Something to ask your dermatologist, maybe?
Water is probably one of the best things you can do! I usually drink a TON of water during the day and when I stop I can really see it in my skin.
oh i feel you! I’m a Chicago girl too and my whole body seems to be permanently chapped come Winter no matter how much lotion I put on. One thing that I’ve found that helps is a humidifier. Good luck!
I love the clean and clear products! Paired with Proactiv, it’s my best friend!
Have you tried getting facials? One every 6 weeks or so might help out a bit. I’m always very glow-y for a few weeks after a good facial.
I’ve had the same problems since going off the pill and didn’t realize how much it was doing for my skin until quitting. On the plus side, I’m happier that the winter is drying my skin out a bit. 
I also wanted to mention that I love your venue. Out of the numerous places I’ve been to in the Caribbean, the Virgin Islands was my favorite. We stayed at the Sugar Bay and it’s gorgeous, and the neighboring island, St. John, is even more beautiful if you guys have a chance to see it.
I wish I had the discipline to stick to a great plan like this!
The Neutrogena body wash is THE BEST. I love it! I am feeling the dry this winter already, I have been using Oil of Olay Quench lotion and it’s been doing the trick!
I swear by Lush cosmetics, specifically their Grease Lightning spot treatment: http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/face/cleansers/grease-lightning Seriously. It dries out spots in a DAY. The only downside is that it won’t prevent them, just zap them once they hit the surface. But it’s seriously miraculous.
I also noticed my skin clearing up instantly when I went back to their cleanser/lotion after having strayed to a cheaper Neutrogena-type product. Their “trouble skin” products are Fresh Farmacy cleanser: http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/face/cleansers/fresh-farmacy and Celestial moisturizer: http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/face/moisturisers/celestial
If you can get to a store that sells Lush products, you ABSOLUTELY must go! Worth every penny (and about 10 times more!)
Sounds like a great plan! I used to put lotion on every night after my shower, but I’ve been slacking lately - I need to start doing it again! And thanks for the info on tanning, that’s definitely interesting!
I’d planned on getting semi-regular facials, but haven’t yet. Also: are there people who shave in the winter?
@Ms Potato Chips I’m so glad you asked that, haha!
I DO shave but not always (I mean I’lll go like a couple of MONTHS without shaving) but after a while my skin gets so dry that it needs to be shaved and exfoliated.
@Ms Potato Chips: Ok, so I’m not feeling so bad about my winter fur!! I do have to admit that I haven’t really shaved my legs any more this year than previous years yet :O
@libbyjuju: I’m always intrigued to try something new, I’ll definitely check that out.
@D: I’m so happy to hear that!! It’s really kinda scary picking a place as a shot in the dark that I won’t see until a few days before I get married.
thanks for the good tips. my legs grow a sheath of scales during the winter. so, does the clean & clear spot treatment work for you? i’m looking for a spot treatment.
Thanks for this post! I get dry scaly legs as well, and acne :(. Still battling acne but for the scales, a dry brush (used before the shower) has really helped, and it feels so invigorating!
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Mrs. Nachos, Chicago/St. Thomas Age and Occupation: 33, Commercial Real Estate & Hairstylist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 36, Radio Producer Engagement Date: May 22, 2009 Wedding Date: April 2010 Venue: Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort, St. Thomas About Me: I'm a happy, laid back city girl that can find the silver lining in any situation. An optimist at heart, my motto is to turn your "what ifs?" into "so whats!". My fiance is a radio producer and the biggest Cubs fan you'll meet - our apartment decor definitely shows it. He and I grew up next door to each other and because of it, we have the best home videos and easiest holiday dinners. We are planning an intimate wedding in the Virgin Islands and a cocktail party in June for 150 of our closest friends.
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