Proven spa treatments to soothe dry winter skin

Wind, snow and freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on skin during the winter. Sound familiar? These spa treatments can help you prevent, treat and soothe skin problems that arise during the cold months of the year.

Dry skin is caused by a lack of moisture in the air. It’s also referred to as "winter skin" since cold weather tends to exacerbate the condition. Staying indoors means that you likely have a heater or fireplace that removes all the moisture from the air.

• At home, use a humidifier to replace lost moisture caused by the furnace.
• Head to the spa for steam room treatment. While saunas use dry heat that can make things worse, a steam room provides many of the same benefits without drying out your skin.

If you have very dry skin or a condition such as eczema or psoriasis, the dry winter air will likely exacerbate your problem.

• The key here is to moisturize regularly.
• Massages are great for relaxing after hunching your shoulders against the wind. Most massages are done with soothing oils and lotions which can be beneficial to certain skin problems. In fact, many common massage oils are used specifically for eczema, including jojoba and sesame oil.
• Thermal water baths may soothe eczema so check to see if they’re available at your spa.
• Salt therapy or halotherapy is another good option atthe spa.

If you suffer from a skin condition such as rosacea, the biting wind of extreme weather may bring out the redness.

• Many spas offer facials using ingredients that can help calm and soothe the skin, transforming your cheeks from red to rosy.

Those who suffer from dandruff may notice that the condition can worsen during the winter months.

• Seek out a scalp massage at a local spa. The oils used can help calm irritation and restore moisture to the scalp.

Winter's brutal drop in temperature, dry air both indoors and out, and extreme wind all have a tendency to create problem skin and worsen existing conditions. In addition to your daily routine, seek out spa treatments from massages to facials to soothe your skin.