Dry Skin Woes: Punxsutawney Phil Predicts 6 More Weeks of Winter

Photo by Reinhard Kraasch

Deep freeze... arctic plunge... polar vortex--no matter how you say it, baby it's cold outside.

When will it end? According to groundhog guru Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow when he emerged from his burrow on Super Bowl Sunday, winter will last six more weeks. 

Not to take anything away from the famed furry forecaster, but this news comes as no surprise. Sub-zero temps have gripped the country off and on for the past several weeks, causing the cold weather to wreak havoc on our skin. Symptoms typically include itching, cracking, flaking, irritation and extreme dryness. 

To rescue your face and hands from the elements, we've assembled the latest hydration helpers. These products contain plumping peptides, moisturizing hyaluronic acid, and nourishing fruit, nut and seed oils. They're designed to minimize dermal damage and maximize silky skin--even if you see your shadow.

FACE

SHINE: Alba Botanica Even Advanced CC Cream Tinted Mineral Perfector SPF 15 (Light to Medium). BEAUTY: Prevent sunburn with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and smooth your complexion with aloe vera leaf juice, orange peel oil and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, phthalates, artificial colors and silicones. Supports Furry Friends Rescue, Farm Sanctuary and Kitten Rescue.

SHINE: CellCeuticals InterActive Moisture Serum. BEAUTY: Peptides, hyaluronic acid and green tea extract strengthen your skin, while olive, apricot and avocado oils promote a gotta-have-it glow. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of artificial colorants or fragrances, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates and parabens. 

SHINE: Coola Environmental Repair Plus Fresh Relief Face Serum. BEAUTY: Stimulate collagen production and cell renewal of stressed skin with aloe vera leaf juice, hyaluronic acid, Japanese seaweed, and licorice and radish root extracts. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of paba, parabens, petroleum and phthalates. Supports Save Our Seas.

SHINE: Hada Labo Tokyo Protecting Day Lotion Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 18. BEAUTY: Avobenzone and three types of hyaluronic acid help shield and soften skin to prevent premature aging caused by exposure to the elements. BEACON: Free of fragrance, parabens, dyes and mineral oils.

SHINE: ilike Organic Skin Care Apple & Lemon Whipped Moisturizer. BEAUTY: Repair age spots, acne scars and dull skin with alpha hydroxy and salicylic acids, and step up suppleness with peppermint and lemon oils. BEACON: Vegan, and no animal testing. Free of artificial colorants.

SHINE: MyBody MyHero Ultra Rich Anti-Aging Growth Factor Cream. BEAUTY: Shea butter, peptides and hyaluronic acid restore radiance to flaky, aging and sensitive skin. BEACON: Contains no parabens, phthalates, sulfates, gluten or dyes.

SHINE: ProBios Transderma A Vitamin A Serum. BEAUTY: Revitalize weather-worn skin with vitamins A and E to create a younger looking appearance. BEACON: Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. No animal testing, and free of preservatives, fragrances, oil and alcohol. 

SHINE: Refineé Hydrating Gel Mask. BEAUTY: Argan oil, vitamin E, cucumber fruit extract and dragon's blood extract from the Amazon's croton lechleri tree soothe dermal damage from environmental stressors. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Swedish Skin Care Prosanol Instant Soothing Spray. BEAUTY: Relieve and repair irritation and itchiness with a pump spray that produces a light mist of nourishing oils. BEACON: Free of parabens, fragrances, synthetic dyes, sulfates and steroids. Supports the National Psoriasis Foundation and Burn Survivors Throughout The World.

SHINE: Veria Innerdosha Soak It Up Highly Hydrating Mask. BEAUTY: Sunflower seed and almond oils, aloe vera leaf juice and hyaluronic acid deeply moisturize dry skin. BEACON: Vegan and cruelty free. Contains no parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, artificial colors or GMOs.

HANDS

SHINE: Desert Essence Pumpkin Spice Hand Repair Cream. BEAUTY: Moisturize and mend dry hands with pumpkin fruit extract, aloe vera leaf juice, shea butter and sunflower seed oil. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Juice Beauty Green Apple Age Defy Hand Cream. BEAUTY: Aloe, apple, lemon and white grape juices, as well as peptides, help address hydration and hyperpigmentation issues. BEACON: USDA Organic certified. Free of parabens, petroleum, propylene and butylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfates, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances.

SHINE: M-61 Vitablast C Hand Cream. BEAUTY: Dehydrated skin disappears with grape seed and avocado oils, aloe vera leaf juice and shea butter. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances and dyes. Supports Action Against Hunger. 

Nutty Goodness: Nourishing Almond, Macadamia & Kukui Nut Oils for Dry Winter Skin

Happy new year! We had a couple of close calls, but thank goodness 2013 arrived safe and sound. Luckily, Mayan enthusiasts were wrong about the end of the world, and we somehow managed to avoid falling off the fiscal cliff.   

I'm still recovering from holiday celebrations. I happily indulged in way too many guilty pleasures, which curiously involved lots of nutty goodies--pecan pie, dark chocolate covered cashews and chocolate chip walnut cookies. They were all homemade using no gluten or dairy products, since I have special dietary needs.

Much to my delight, I received several packages of mixed nuts from family and friends as gifts. Almonds, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, macadamias and hazelnuts not only make ideal snacks, but they also pair well with veggies, breakfast cereals and desserts. High in protein, unsaturated fats and vitamins, they're known to help reduce cholesterol--as long as they're eaten in moderation, and not coated in sugar or salt.

The beauty industry embraces the healing properties of nuts too. In fact, many skincare manufacturers utilize the oils in their formulations to nourish the needs of damaged or dehydrated skin--which comes in handy during the dry winter months. Check out the most popular: 

Almond: Linoleic acid repairs the skin, while high oleic oil balances loss and absorption of moisture. 

Macadamia: Palmitoleic acid, and omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids combat dryness and free radical cell damage. Plus, the oil helps regenerate mature skin, and heal scars, stretch marks and sunburns. 

Kukui nut (aka candleberry, aleurites moluccana and candlenut): High in essential fatty acids, the oil has been used by Hawaiians for thousands of years to protect skin from salt water, and harsh sun and wind. Also known to benefit dry and sensitive skin, and psoriasis and eczema.

Take a look at the latest topical treasures utilizing nut oils. Your dry winter skin will thank you. Note: For those who suffer from nut sensitivities, please consult your allergist before using any of these products.  

SHINE: Basq Resilient Body Toning & Hydrating Oil (Stretch Mark Prevention). BEAUTY: Tone and tighten loose skin due to pregnancy or weight loss with hazelnut, sunflower seed, sesame seed and sweet almond oils. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens and phthalates.

SHINE: CellCeuticals Extreme Defense Anti-Cell Damage Skin Treatment. BEAUTY: Sweet almond and avocado oils, vitamin E and aloe vera leaf juice help hydrate and heal the skin. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Contains no artificial colorants or fragrances, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates or parabens.

SHINE: Dermalogica Precleanse. BEAUTY: Remove excess sebum oil, sunscreen, waterproof makeup and environmental pollutants with apricot kernel and rice bran oils, vitamin E and kukui nut oil. BEACON: Free of artificial fragrances and colorants. Championed joinFITE (Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship).

SHINE: Ioma Cocoon Voluptuous Body Cream. BEAUTY: Sweet almond and sunflower seed oils, shea butter and vitamin E help restore moisture and stimulate cell renewal. BEACON: Contains no fragrances, silicones or parabens.

SHINE: LATHER Sweet Almond Exfoliating Creme and Sweet Almond Face Moisturizer. BEAUTY: Soften dry or mature skin and gently slough dead surface cells with sweet almond oil and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing. Also free of parabens. 

SHINE: LCN SPA Almond Foot Lotion. BEAUTY: Green tea and aloe vera extracts, and sweet almond oil boost the suppleness of your feet and legs. BEACON: Free of parabens.

SHINE: Malie Organics Mango Nectar Body Wash and Mango Nectar Body Cream. BEAUTY: Enhance your bathing experience and refresh your skin with mango Hawaiian hydrosol, aloe vera leaf juice, and kukui nut and jojoba seed oils. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Contains no petroleum, sulfates or parabens.

SHINE: Nature Pure Labs Tangerine Creamy Sugar Scrub with Hippophae. BEAUTY: Macadamia nut, rose, orange blossom and ylang ylang oils revitalize your skin and soul. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, and artificial colorants and fragrances. 

SHINE: Neal's Yard Remedies Almond Oil. BEAUTY: Formulated to soften and soothe all skin types, including babies, children and those with sensitivity issues, with 100% almond oil. Blend with other essential oils to create a luxurious massage lotion. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens, synthetic fragrances or colorants, silicones or mineral oils. Supports Friends of the Earth and Women’s Environmental Network.

SHINE: Sumbody Hand It Over Hand Cream. BEAUTY: Coconut, sweet almond, avocado and grape seed oils, and shea butter and soy milk restore moisture loss to the hands. BEACON: Free of parabens, animal oils, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, artificial preservatives and synthetic chemicals.