Six Winter MUST Haves for Your Skin!!

Every winter I say the same thing, " I hate how dry and itchy my skin gets!!"  I have literally tried every product out there.  My skin not only gets dry like I'm sure many of yours does, but it cracks and bleeds too.  Totally gross and so painfull!  It got to the point where I was having to keep Band-Aids in my purse for ME!  Not the kiddos. 

Over the years I have actually gotten a collection of my winter "Must Haves" and want to share it with YOU!  Not only does my skin get very dry, crack and itchy it is also very sensitive to many products.  The products listed below help with not only dry skin, but help keep my skin feeling soft, rejuvenated and they do not cause redness, itchiness or irritation.  Perfect for those with a brutal winter and dry skin!! 

1. AVON Skin So Soft  - A favorite of thousands for many years and for good reason.  Not only can Avon's SSS help with your dry skin it makes an awesome bug repellant!  Check out the 30 plus reasons you need to have Skin So Soft in your home HERE.  I always make sure I have a back up bottle in my home!!
2. AVON Skin So Soft Winter Soft Body Cream - With Hydroseal Complex this body cream is non greasy, goes on smooth and makes my entire body feel soft and smooth.  Love the scent! 
3. SPECTRUM ESSENTIALS Organic Coconut Oil - This is the perfect choice for a natural body care.  It does have a strong coconut scent which I love.  It can be greasy when first applied, but it really helps dry, itchy skin. 
4. O'KEEFF'S Working Hands - Made just for the hands and it DOES work!  What I love is I can apply it and go on with my daily routine.  It is NOT greasy, wet or sticky feeling.  It does not have a strong scent so it is great for men or women.  It is made for dry hands that crack or split. 
5. AVON Naturals Hand and Body Lotion - You cannot go wrong with Avon Naturals Body Lotions.  Many great scents to choose from plus leaves your skin feeling soft, smooth and smelling great!  With the great low price they also make great gifts!  I love the convenient travel size perfect to keep in your purse or anywhere. 
6. AVON Lip Balm - A Must Have every winter is lip balm.  My favorite has always been Avon.  Any kind really will do but be sure it has SPF 15.  We need to protect our beautiful lips from those nasty rays.  Avon Care is one of my favorites.   

Avon's Moisture Therapy - It's A Contest

In my last post I was talking about the cooler weather coming in, Autumn and cracked skin.  What better time than to do a fun contest than with one of my favorite skincare products Avon offers, Moisture Therapy Intensive Treatment Body Lotion.  


I must be honest, the reason some of us giveaway certain freebies or products is in the hopes that we will gain new customers and it will promote the product that we sell.  Giveaways are also a lot of fun, but often times the budget can be tight and can make it hard to do them from our own pocket.  The last few giveaways I have done have not really worked in my favor OR how I had hoped they would.  Perhaps I just need more fans.  Not sure, I haven't figure that out yet.

Because of all that I have started a new way of giving away my Avon products.  The last Giveaway/Contest just ended last week and was a success.  The product was Avon's Anew Lip & Eye Treatment.  The customer that won the product was extremely pleased and excited!  Here is how it will work:

The first person to order $25 or more on my Online Avon Store will receive Avon's Moisture Therapy Intensive Treatment Body Lotion (valued at $8) absolutely FREE!  No entering contests, to comments to post and no guessing if you will win.  If you want to win the prize, simply be the FIRST to order from my Online Avon Store.  ($25 or more)

I will place an notification when there has been a winner on my blog, Facebook page and through Twitter.  Honestly, what do you have to loose.  Sit back, perhaps do a little Christmas shopping and get a bonus FREE item just for having quick fingers!  Besides, who doesn't love Avon?

Cracked, Dry, Itchy Skin...Please Can I Get Some Relief?

Dry, cracked skin looks bad and feels worse. Cold, dry air exacerbates the problem - dry, flaky skin appears on the heels, elbows, fingers or toes. As the first day of Autumn has quickly past the chill in the air is being felt by many of us.  Today I was just noticing my hands were starting to feel a little dry.  Without the treatment of lotion, my hands become extremely dry during the winter months.  I have found relief in Avon's Moisture Therapy Intense Treatment Hand Cream (878-160).  I always make sure I keep some handy in my purse, car and at home.  


As for my feet the one product I will always stand by for my cracked skin is Avon's Foot Works Therapeutic Cracked Heel Relief Cream (192-600) I use this religiously during the winter months and also during the warm months.  It helps sooth and repair you sore cracked skin.  


So, what causes cracked skin?  We understand the elements that cause it such as the cool weather, but what really causes cracked skin?  Anyone can develop hardened, cracked skin, especially in the winter.  Some of us suffer from cracked skin more severally than others.  It can depend on where you live, how you live, what you do and your lifestyle.  


Diabetics often have severely cracked skin. It is estimated that 17 million Americans have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and almost 6 million people have the disease but have not been diagnosed. Nobody knows exactly why diabetics are prone to skin cracks, but the problem appears to involve the nervous system. Nerves in the legs and feet do not get the message to keep the skin soft and moist. Once the skin dries out and cracks appear, high blood glucose levels allow bacteria to thrive, making the problem worse.


However, non-diabetics suffer from dry, cracked skin, too. Other factors that can be involved include:

• Prolonged standing, especially on hard floors.
• Obesity or being overweight (this increases the pressure on the normal fat pad under the heel, causing it to expand sideways - if the skin is not supple and flexible, the pressures to 'crack' are high)
• Open backs on shoes (this causes the pad under the heel to expand sideways and 'crack')
• Medical conditions (neuropathy in diabetics limits sweating; an under active thyroid lowers the body's metabolic rate and there is a reduction in sweating, leading to a dryness of the skin)
• Skin conditions (psoriasis and eczema)

What do you do to help with your cracked skin?  There are many ways you can prevent, help sooth and stop the severity of cracked skin.  I always do my best to wear gloves and protect my skin from the harsh cold temperatures.  Every morning I always hydrate my skin with Avon's Moisture Therapy Intensive Treatment Body Lotion (240-666).  I then am always reapplying the lotion to my hands and elbows.  

I am a clean freak and I am always washing my hands.  Washing them in hot water makes cracked hands even worse.  I try to either use hand sanitizer (which can REALLY burn if you have any cuts!  OUCH!!)  or I try to keep the water cool.  Avon has some AWESOME pocket or purse size hand antibacterial gel.  They are $1.49 each and come in 3 different scents.  My favorite is the Naturals Antibacterial Mini Hand Gel in Vanilla (314-433)

I also end my day by applying the  Avon's Foot Works Therapeutic Cracked Heel Relief Cream (192-600).  I put it on every evening (there I times I miss) because I then just slip socks on, enjoy the smell and wake up with soft wonder feet I can love!!

Here are some other options for treating cracked skin:  

• Soak cracked skin in tepid water for five minutes.
• Avoid washing with hot water, and avoid strong soaps.
• Cover up. If you are prone to cracked skin on your hands, use rubber gloves while doing the dishes.
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Pamper your feet - wear sports shoes, especially broad-fitting, or those designed for walking. Wear clean, well-fitting, cotton or wool socks.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.

Avon has many great products that will help you with your skincare needs, especially now that the cooler weather is coming your skin might need that relief.  Please call (314-495-2699) or email me (juliesutton.avon@att.net) if you have any questions.  

You can shop directly through me On My Online Avon Store.