Winter of skin's discontent

Depending on what part of the country you live in, the winter of 2006-07 either left your skin in great shape, or calloused and rough from all the layers of clothing and boots required to manage foot after foot of snow.

If you survived unscathed, you're among the lucky. If layers of sweaters, warm socks and fleece-lined boots were part of your daily routine, you may have some skin repair to consider.

Cold, dry air, coupled with blustery winds, exacts a toll on even the heartiest skin. You may notice this damage in the form of dry, rough patches of skin primarily on the heels and soles of your feet, and on your elbows, knees and hands. But some quick 911 repair is not difficult to achieve.

As easy as that sounds, everything depends on how many layers of tough skin you've accumulated.

For many women, an exfoliating body scrub is enough to help remove most surface dryness. Good ones to try are Ahava Pure Spa, which contains minerals from the Dead Sea and helps slough off flaky, dead skin. Another great bet is Bliss Sweet Orange & Spearmint Sugar Scrub. Both will help polish your skin back to a refined, smooth texture. If your face needs a touch-up too, try Skin Nutrition with Phytomins. Plant-based vitamins in this formula can help your complexion glow with spring vitality.

You can also ask your dermatologist about a new scrub called NIA 24 Physical Cleansing Scrub, which harnesses the power of niacin (vitamin B3) in the form of a patented molecule, pro-niacin, to stimulate the release of a natural repair hormone, leptin. It works with the skin's natural repair processes to rejuvenate the skin from the inside out.

HANDLING THE REALLY TOUGH STUFF Try as you might, you may find some areas of really rough, cracked, dry skin that just don't respond to your best efforts.

That's the time to put down your pumice stone and call it quits. You need help, and your dermatologist has just the solution. Daily applications of a prescription exfoliator such as Salex Lotion or Salex Cream can help remove dead, tough skin, especially from traditionally difficult areas such as the heels of your feet and your elbows. Formulated with a unique delivery system, Salex penetrates the dry layers and continues to work for hours with a continuous-release effect, so even though you're not buffing and polishing, the medication is still hard at work. It will take a few weeks to remove the buildup of dry skin, so the earlier you start, the sooner you can enjoy summer's bare fashions and footwear.

And never underestimate the power of your shaving routine! Simply shaving your legs is a great manual way to remove surface dryness. With each pass of the razor your fresh, healthy skin is revealed.

Once you've chosen a routine to restore your skin to its smooth, radiant, pre-winter glow, remember to moisturize with a deep-penetrating cream or lotion, such as CeraVe Moisturizing Cream or CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion, which are packed full of ceramides. Daily applications will help repair the outermost layers of your skin, leaving it looking healthy and replenished.