“Hi Jacquie, the cold winter weather is destroying my hands. They are dry, sore and look like they’re 100 years old. What can I do?”

Taking care of your hands is a common problem especially during the colder months of the year when the winter winds and snow are in full force. First and foremost, you want to be sure to keep your hands covered up. Always wear gloves or mittens when you go outside. And put them on before you go outdoors not after. Even just a few minutes of exposure can cause damage and irritation. The cold weather and blustery wins can result in dry, sore, red, chapped skin that just doesn’t look good. Of course, you need to wash your hands regularly but avoid over exposure to water when washing the dishes or cleaning your sinks and tub. Try wearing protective gloves to keep them dry. Make it a rule of thumb to keep a rich, moisturizing hand cream by all of the sinks in your house and make a habit of applying immediately after washing and drying to keep hands soft and protected.And do your hands a favor by keeping your favorite hand cream on your nightstand as a reminder to apply every night before you go to sleep. These simple tips will have your hands soft and smooth in no time.