Disclosure: I received sample products and a gift card from Meijer in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

It’s winter here in Michigan and that brings along a multitude of skin problems, chapped lips, cracked heels, dry/chapped hands (from all the hand washing), scaly legs, need I go on? What’s a girl to do in these conditions?

Today, I’m going to share a few tips and products that will help keep your skin looking fresh and moisturized during the cold winter months. The biggest tip is to simply drink water. I talked about my water drinking struggles in this post and it is something I’m still working at. Even if you have the best moisturizer in the world, your body can’t maintain or absorb the moisture you give it through lotion if it is dehydrated. It’s like trying to fill up a cup with a hole in it. No matter how many times you fill it, the water will keep flowing out of the whole. So in order for any of the products that I’m going to share with you to work, you have to start out by hydrating yourself with good old H20.

Problem 1: Chapped Hands

Most of us wash our hands more during cold and flu season which contributes to dry and chapped hands. Being out in the cold weather without gloves amplifies this problem. One year, John came home with severely chapped hands, his knuckles were in bad shape from the cold weather because he refused to put on lotion. For him, I needed a one-time miracle treatment that could fix him up with one overnight application (because that’s all I was going to get). This CeraVe Healing Ointment is a great solution for this problem. From a preventative standpoint, always apply lotion to your hands after washing to help them stay soft and hydrated. Check out their website for a $2.00 coupon to bring in to your local Meijer.

Problem 2: Cracked Heels

As I’ve mentioned before, I have a problem drinking water and that is a key problem when you are trying to combat cracked heels. This year, they aren’t bad because I have upped my water intake, but I still go for bi-weekly pedicures to keep them in shape. In the interim, I need a solution to keep my heels in check. Enter the CeraVe Renewing SA Foot Cream. I like to rub it on my feet before bed and cover them in socks. That way, they can heal your heels while you sleep.

Problem 3: Eczema

Eczema can affect any of us at anytime. Some of us have it worse than others. While I’ve only had minor touches of eczema here and there, I know people who have been severely affected by it. This CeraVe Eczema Soothing Body Wash can help sooth what is commonly known as “winter itch.”

Problem 4: Scaly Skin

I was with a friend the other day and she was complaining about how her legs get so scaly in the winter. I’ve never had a problem with this and I think I know why. I shave my legs every day. I think that the constant exfoliation makes my skin more open to accepting the moisture I put on it after I shower. Now I know most women don’t do this so if you need help with scaly legs you might try Eucerin Original Healing Lotion. Make sure to slather it on after you shower to really lock in that moisture. On a side note, I am strikingly pale.

How do you keep your skin hydrated in winter?

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