Skin Care Tip: Shower tip

I live in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio where the winter weather, cold and windy, can wreak havoc on anyone's skin. The indoor winter heat can also cause additional problems of dry skin. I read many years ago that taking a hot shower, which, of course, feels great while you are in it, especially in a rather cool house, is not very wise and actually contributes to the feeling of dry skin. I have learned to turn down gradually the temperature at the end of my shower and thus end with the relatively cool water closing my pores and retaining the moisture. Don't do it too quickly as that is a shock on a cold winter day. But lowering it gradually, letting your skin get used to the colder water as you slowly turn back on the hot water actually results in ultimately a very refreshing feeling. Instead of sluggish from the heat of the shower, when I step out, I feel energized and the room does not feel cold. It has worked great in keeping my skin from drying and flaking in the winter months - I no longer apply gobs of moisturizer to combat what used to be chronic winter dry skin. It is not an easy sell to convince anyone to end their showers with colder water - but it works great and cost nothing!