Cold-Weather Skin-Saving Essentials

(NAPSI)-Outdoor activities like skiing and snowboarding are fun, but while cold weather may be good for the ski trail, it's not always kind to your skin.

The truth is, the combination of chilly temperatures and reduced humidity saps skin of its natural moisture, making it feel tight and dry and rendering it sensitive to irritants. Combined with the low humidity of indoor heating and hot showers, skin is left cracked and dry. And dry skin equals itchy skin.

To help protect and maintain healthy skin that's soft and smooth through the chill, try these simple, skin-saving tips:

Take Shorter Showers. Believe it or not, water can be very drying to the skin. Brief showers using lukewarm water--rather than long soaks in a hot bath--are more skin friendly.

Keep it Simple. Choose mild soaps, hydrating cleansers and moisturizing cosmetics, and seek lotions that are nonirritating and dermatologist recommended.

Keep Skin Hydrated. The lower the temperature, the more frequently moisturizers should be applied. Select formulations that strengthen skin's moisture barrier and are long lasting. Apply liberally on elbows, knees, feet and hands.

Cover and Protect. When heading outdoors, skin should be adequately protected from cold air and gusting wind. When indoors, avoid sitting right next to drying heat sources. Fireplaces and old-fashioned radiators are especially bad culprits.

Prepare for Itchiness. Since cold temperatures deplete skin of moisture, resulting in dry, flaky skin that's often itchy, irritated and uncomfortable, it's important to use a daily moisturizer to repair and restore skin's health. A good one to try is Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair Calming Relief Body Lotion. Dermatologists like this rich, creamy lotion because it's clinically shown to relieve itchy, dry skin and moisturize for 24 hours with innovative, time-release technology. The soothing emollients and provitamin B5 soothe and moisturize all day.

Use a Humidifier. Consider purchasing a humidifier to maintain air moisture inside homes during the winter.

These skin-saving tips will keep skin soft, comfortable and healthy looking throughout winter's chill.

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Kissing Unlocks Powerful Benefits

(NAPSI)-Locking lips, making out, smooching or tonsil hockey. No matter what name Americans call it, kissing is an essential part of everyday life, according to a new nationwide study by William Cane, cultural anthropologist and author of "The Art of Kissing," in collaboration with NIVEA Lip Care.

Why are kisses so essential for Americans? A great kiss has the power to elevate one's mood and release a host of positive biological effects. Almost half of Americans surveyed said a kiss is the best way to lift their spirits after a bad day.

In contrast, less than a third of the respondents said the same about popular stress-busting activities such as sleeping, exercising or watching TV. In addition, nearly all Americans agree that a morning kiss from a loved one is the best way to start the day.

"Such positive aftereffects are the result of an increase in levels of neurotransmitters that brighten mood and induce euphoria and a reduction in stress hormones, all physiological changes that occur during kisses," says Cane.

Almost 94 percent of Americans say they've had more than just a romantic kiss: They've been lucky enough to experience a truly great one. However, the impact of a great kiss differs by gender. Seven in 10 men say that a great kiss could actually make a relationship if they just started dating someone, compared to 55 percent of women who say the same. Even more so, men are willing to go the distance for a great kiss. Over 51 percent of men say they've gone to extreme lengths to secure one compared to 31 percent of women. But women love to dish the juicy details of a good make-out session to friends. Fifty-eight percent of women admit that after a really great kiss they've told a friend, family member or even their ex.

The one thing that both men and women agree on is that the key component to a great kiss is good-looking, kissable lips. Nearly half of Americans find dry or chapped lips a total turnoff while 68 percent of Americans say that when they are attracted to someone they would like to kiss, nice-looking lips are important.

William Cane has the following tips to help everyone be a kissing pro:

Relax and Be Confident: Confidence plays a key role in your kissing approach. You should relax your mouth and begin kissing your partner's lips softly, then with more intensity.

Get Creative: Kissing is supposed to be fun, and a great kisser is one who experiments. Try different angles and different levels of pressure to give your partner a sweet surprise.

Keep Lips Moisturized: Chapped lips are an instant turn-off. Keep lips fully moisturized with the help of a beauty product such as NIVEA A Kiss of Moisture-Hydrating Lip Care SPF4 to ensure that lips are always smooch ready.

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Daily Tips To Protect The Skin You're In

(NAPSI)-While most people recognize the importance of applying sunscreen at the beach or the pool, many don't realize the value in wearing sun protection every day of the year.

Experts say about 80 percent of a person's sun exposure occurs during daily activities-walking to the car, sitting in front of a window-and that one year of incidental sun exposure is like spending a week at the beach without sunscreen.

To keep skin healthy and protected throughout the day, incorporate a moisturizer that contains SPF into your daily skin care routine, as hydration and sun protection are key elements for maintaining healthy skin.

Skin that is dry may be unable to perform its primary function, which is to protect your body from environmental damage, such as free radicals, pollutants and the sun's UV rays.

Additionally, skin that is dry has a difficult time renewing itself from sun damage, leaving it vulnerable to premature aging, including wrinkles and age spots.

Look for a nongreasy moisturizer with sunscreen, such as Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 15, which combines the natural moisturizing benefits of colloidal oatmeal to soothe dry skin with Active Photobarrier Complex, a sun-protection technology that is specifically engineered to deliver very high, very broad and photo-stable UVA and UVB protection.

The moisturizer also contains rich emollients that provide 24- hour moisturization, leaving skin soft, smooth and healthy looking.

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Taking Better Care Of Your Skin Year-Round

(SPM Wire) Just as the hot summer sun can damage your skin, so too can the drier winter months and even the winter sun impact your skin.

Dr. Darrell S. Rigel, president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, says people don't realize the health threats associated with the glaring sun and cooler temperatures of the winter season. At times, the wind and sun combination is so harmful it can cause serious burns and skin conditions, such as eczema.

Healthy skin takes year-round maintenance -- here are some tips from Rigel that are especially helpful in colder climates:

* Moisturizer helps protect against harsh elements and is especially important when outside for any great length of time. It's best to apply moisturizer directly after a bath or shower to help seal in moisture and replenish the skin with the necessary water and oils.

* Wearing gloves is a simple and effective way to protect hands from the cold temperatures and dry air that triggers eczema

* Since snow reflects sunlight, the ultraviolet rays of the sun during the winter are just as intense, so when participating in winter recreational activities be sure to apply sunscreen even though the sun may not feel hot.

* Don't forget about the lips, studies show that only six percent of Americans are aware that ultraviolet rays can cause lip cancer.

For more information about healthy skin, visit http://www.asds.net/ online.