Freezing temperatures, whipping winds and wet conditions combine in the ultimate beauty smack down; your skin against the elements, who will win?! Keep reading to get great winter skincare tips and to ensure a victory!

The winter elements can cause heartache for more than just your skin. Cold, wet conditions can offer a helping in hand when it comes to accidents, injuries and even disasters. If you’re an aging senior, living independently can become a dangerous slippery slope without the right personal protection; it’s time to get Life Alert Protection! No snow flurry, ice wind or flood can stand up to the protection power of Life Alert’s waterproof emergency HELP pendant. Simply slip the lightweight pendant around your neck or wrist and in the event of a wintery wreck, push the button on your pendant and summon fast emergency help! With over 25 years of experience in the emergency medical device industry, you can bet that Life Alert has seen enough winters to know that 24/7 personal protection is necessary. Don’t get caught in a not so winter wonderland this year and instead, get Life Alert Medical Alert today!

Life Alert is great to battle emergencies in the dead of winter, and here are skincare tips to battle your dead skin from experts who can help you achieve better skin this winter, thanks to Health.com[1].

1.       My face is so flaky. What should I do?

Blowing your nose a hundred times. Battling arctic winds. Winter conditions can irritate your skin big time and cause flakiness. "We call it 'irritant contact dermatitis,' and anything that aggravates skin can bring it on," says Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine. The obvious—but key—solution is to moisturize: Use a rich cream that contains a humectant like glycerin or hyaluronic acid. For scaly patches, try a balm with emollient shea butter or argan oil. 

2.       What's with the bright red blotches on my face and neck?

Those spots are a sign that you're sensitive to cold. You could have rosacea—a flushing skin condition—but the capillaries in your skin may just dilate when exposed to triggers like dry heat or temperatures. Try taking cooler showers and using fragrance-free products, says Dr. Gohara. Thermal mists that contain the inflammation-busting mineral selenium can help when used on affected areas, as can a cold compress on the back of your neck.

3.       What are those tiny red lines around my nose?

The technical term: telangiectasias. But we know them as dilated capillaries (some people say they're "broken" capillaries, but they're not). Exposure to cold, biting winds makes the vessels under the skin expand and become visible. You may see them on your cheeks and chin, too. The hard truth is that they won't totally go away without a laser treatment. The treatment heats the capillaries to permanently close them. To ease inflammation without a trip to the derm, use products with soothing ingredients like chamomile, calendula, and white tea. 

4.       I have little red bumps on my upper arms that get worse in winter. Help!

The delightful chicken skin! Those raised spots develop when dead cells build up within the hair follicles, forming hard little plugs, explains Dr. Gohara. You can't get rid of them, but you can improve their appearance: Start with soap-free wash in the shower, then apply a body lotion with alpha hydroxy acids to gently smooth the skin's texture. 

5.       What are those tiny white dots under my eyes?

Those little lumps are not acne (so stop trying to squeeze them!). In fact, they're likely miniature cysts, called milia, which are often caused by heavy creams or other occlusive products used under the eyes, says Doris Day, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. Solution: Dab a gentle chemical exfoliator over the area (avoiding eyes); it will help shed skin, which may coax out the cysts. 

6.       My scalp is flaky. Do I have dandruff?

It sounds that way. Dry scalp alone may feel tight or itchy, but actual flakes signal dandruff. The likely culprit: "an overgrowth of yeast on the skin," says Dr. Gohara. The easiest remedy is to switch to an over-the-counter shampoo with exfoliating coal tar or salicylic acid, says Jeanine Downie, MD, a dermatologist in Montclair, N.J.  If dandruff doesn't improve after about four weeks, move on to a prescription shampoo.

7.       My legs are crazy itchy. What's the deal?

The itch may be abnormally intense, but the culprit is pretty ordinary: dry skin. "When the air is dry, your skin doesn't retain moisture as usual," notes Dr. Downie, and you may see a "cracked, riverbed appearance." To quell the itch, switch to a soap-free body wash (it won't strip skin's natural moisture) and apply a cream with repairing ceramides to damp skin post-shower. Also smart: Shave in the shower after slathering on a moisturizing cream to slough off dead skin cells, which can prevent moisture from getting in.

8.       Ouch! My heels are cracked. What do I do?

Keep feet hydrated: "Petroleum jelly is your best fix," says Dr. Downie, as it locks in moisture. To get rid of cracks, u

se a pumice or foot file on dry skin several times a week. Dry heels, healed!

Say bye-bye to dry, winter skin thanks to the great tips above and say hello to great skincare. This winter, there may be a wrinkle in more than just your skin, what about your personal protection? Are you covered in the event of a life threatening emergency? With Life Alert Protection, worry no more! While wearing their lightweight, waterproof emergency pendant you can summon help fast with just one touch of a button. No matter if you experience a snowy slip or a frosty fall; Life Alert’s dispatch team is available 24/7. So neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night will keep Life Alert from getting you the help you need. When it comes to your personal protection, don’t freeze - get Life Alert Protection today! For a free brochure on all of their lifesaving services call 1-800-513-2934.

Works Cited:                                                                                                                                                              

1.       Whitmoore, Lisa. “Experts Answer Your Top 8 Questions About Caring for Dry Winter Skin.” Health.com. < http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20973167,00.html>.