Ahh, Minnesota in the winter! Brilliantly blue skies, dreadfully dry air. Static electricity and dry skin abound! I attack the humidity level on several fronts:
-When I am home during the daytime (which is most of the time since I am unemployed) I keep a large pot of water simmering on the stove. When I’m feeling particularly festive, I even add a cinnamon stick! I’m a rebel like that.
-I run a humidifier next to my bed at night, in hopes of giving my sinuses some relief. Also a great provider of white noise!
But my favorite way to combat the dry air is super-yummy lotion! I tend to gravitate towards mostly-natural body products, and I am picky about scents, but I have found several lotions that moisturize wonderfully while smelling yummy and using lots of natural ingredients.
My old-faithful standby is actually unscented– Aveeno’s Skin Relief for extra itchy dry skin. A good, basic lotion that will keep you from scratching like a monkey all day long, hooray!
When you are in the mood for something more luxurious, try the Milk and Honey Lotion from Burt’s Bees. It smells incredible, and the formula is thick enough to provide some serious moisture.
My newest favorite lotion is Orange Honey Blossom from The Naked Bee. I discovered this amazing product during my recent 6-week sojourn with my dad. His local pharmacy had it displayed right by the register, and after using the tester every time I went in I finally broke down and bought some. I didn’t think it was possible for me to love a skin-care line more than Burt’s Bees, but The Naked Bee gives them a run for their money! Luckily, several stores here in St. Paul carry their stuff, so when I run out, I won’t have to make a trip to Southwest Missouri…
So, in the spirit of positive thinking, instead of cursing when the dry air causes my skin to crack, I am now thinking of it as an opportunity to use my collection of indulgent lotions. Give them a try– you won’t be disappointed!
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On the topic of humidifying via boiling water – I used to boil orange peels and cloves. Make sure you use a throw-away pot, though; the oils from the orange peel tend to destroy the pot. After nearly burning down the apartment on several occasions, I broke down and bought a humidifier with an automatic shutoff (the savior of absent-minded people).
Comment by Stephanie January 3, 2011 @ 5:02 pmwow, I didn’t even know they made such marvelous things! if mine ever conks out on me, I’ll be sure to look for one of those
Comment by becomingjill January 3, 2011 @ 9:05 pmI, too, love, love, LOVE the Aveeno body lotion. I’ve been putting it on Christopher’s dry eczema skin every winter of his life. I’ve tried Eucerine, but like you said, it smells, well, almost medical.
Comment by Angie January 4, 2011 @ 1:23 pmAnd it’s not just skin; I have a wicked lip balm addiction in the winter. Burt’s Bees is the balm…get it?!
Angie
Yeah, my brother used to have to use Eucerine… that stuff’s just gross! And lip balm! There shall have to be a separate post about lip balm 😉
Comment by becomingjill January 5, 2011 @ 8:33 am