Dry skin can be a winter misery-maker

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Most of us suffer from some degree of dry skin at this time of year - the change in the weather can trigger anything from dry, red knuckles to full-blown eczema. All those layers, centrally-heated buildings, and lack of fresh air can all take their toll, too. Pretty miserable.

So what causes it?

• Dry, cold and windy weather
• The sun
• Central heating
• Air conditioning
• Poor ventilation
• Chemicals
• Detergents and soap
• Solvents
• Diet
• Lack of water
• Age

Natural cures...

• Avocado oil, rubbed onto the afflicted area
• Coconut oil, again rubbed onto the affected area
• Emu oil is excellent for dry skin problems. Apply twice a day
• Sesame oil - use on damp skin and let it soak in. It helps relieve sore, dry and flakey skin. Use regular sesame oil, not the roasted Oriental type
• Put oats into a stocking and tie it to your bath tap, so that the water runs through it into the bath, producing a moisturising milk - but ensure that the bath is not too hot, as this can dry the skin out

... And unnatural ones... not recommended

Some of these sound quite sensible - but the majority are blatantly old wives' tales!

• Taping a copper penny to the affected area
• Rubbing menthol rub into the sole of your feet - and coughing (!)
• Surviving a heart attack, thereby increasing blood circulation
• Using a baby hairbrush to exfoliate
• Coating your skin in apple cider vinegar
• Taking regular saunas
• Drinking a glass of warm milk mixed with two teaspoons of almond oil
• Blanching lemon grass and drinking it several times a day
• Blanching scented geranium leaves in boiling water - strain, cool and use as a face wash
• Smearing honey onto your body; wash off after five minutes

One product claiming to have all the answers to dry skin is Eucerin. We've decided to put it to the test - would you like to get involved?

Simply send in your details and you'll be sent six free samples from the Dry Skin Relief or Sensitive ranges. In return, Eucerin want to hear from you - does the product do what you want it to do? Does it work? Does the price meet your expectations? What do you think of Eucerin as a product? Would you recommend it to friend?

Find out more about Eucerin - and give your feedback.