Protect your Skin with Aquaphor {Review & $50 Visa Gift Card Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Karen!}

Typically when I think of the aspects of winter that I don't enjoy, things like the cold, dark days, the freezing temperatures, and the sheer amount of time that it takes to get on snow pants, boots, hats, scarves, mittens and more come to mind.

However, not far down the list is the way that the dry winter air manages to wreak havoc on my and my family's skin. And as much as I am bothered by the itchy, cracked, sore feeling on my hands, knees, elbows and more, it's even worse knowing that my girls feel the same way. What parent doesn't feel bad knowing that their baby or child's soft, sensitive skin (which is more susceptible to eczema) is irritated?

Which is why I'm thankful that there are companies like Aquaphor that develop products that are specially formulated to soothe and help dry, cracked skin gently and quickly. Because now that we have started using Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment and Aquaphor Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo, we're all happier knowing that our skin is being protected safely and effectively.

Trusted by pediatricians, dermatologists and moms everywhere, Aquaphor products provide the extra gentle care that a baby's tender skin needs all year-round (but especially in winter). Free of fragrances, preservatives and dyes, their skin therapies are pure and gentle to safely protect, clean and restore everything from chapped cheeks to cracked lips to diaper rash.

Seeing as winter is in full swing around here and we seem to have dry hands everywhere I look, when the Aquaphor Healing Ointment and Gentle Wash & Shampoo arrived, it didn't take long before we were putting them to the test.

Providing the extra gentle care your baby's tender delicate skin needs, Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment is a multi-purpose ointment that can be used for a variety of locations on your child. I love that it can go from protecting a cut or scrape to relieving chapped knuckles to treating diaper rash (it's actually clinically proven to reduce diaper rash within six hours!) all in one quick motion.

The thick, clear formula immediately felt soothing and I could tell that it wasn't going to be a lotion that would dry and disappear. Instead, the slightly greasy feeling went away as I rubbed it thoroughly on my hands and I could almost feel my skin absorbing the moisture and losing the dry, uncomfortable sensation that they had.

I've found that it only takes a little of this Healing Ointment to cover a large area and the results are extremely long-lasting. I'll apply some in the morning and find that my hands or Little Sister B's dryness on her lower back (something she inherited from her father) stay hydrated and and smooth all day long.

Just knowing that our skin is healthy and protected and that I won't have to worry about my kids feeling itchy or scratching at the dryness is a big relief and something that I'm looking forward to continuing all winter long!

When it comes to cleaning our newly-softened selves, the 2 in 1 Aquaphor Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo is a soap-free formula that not only gently cleanses, but helps prevent drying effects. I am happy knowing that the tear-free formula is mild enough that it won't harm even the most sensitive skin, yet provides squeaky clean results that we can all appreciate.

Enriched with soothing chamomile essence and provitamin B5, we've found that this Wash & Shampoo doesn't leave a film or any residue and that we haven't had any issues with irritation on skin or hair. In all, we're loving both products and plan on continuing to use them to protect and keep all of us comfortable for the rest of winter!

For products that you know that can be depended on for relief from wind burn, chafing, blisters, dry winter skin and much more, Aquaphor is a name that has been trusted to provide gentle care for the entire family. Prices do vary (for example, the Healing Ointment is priced at $14.99 from Drugstore.com while only $7.95 on Amazon), but once you've experienced the quality, you'll be hooked!

And, thanks to the generosity of Aquaphor, one person will be prepared for the remainder of winter to arrive, because...

One lucky person will win a $50 Visa Gift Card, Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment and Aquaphor Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo!

To enter to win: Leave me a comment telling me if you or someone in your family has dry skin and how you currently deal with it.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you Like Aquaphor on Facebook and/or follow Aquaphor on Twitter.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a $50 Visa gift card and 2 Aquaphor skin care products to heal and protect! http://bit.ly/xoGoZD @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on February 24th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Aquaphor for providing a $50 Visa gift card, Healing Ointment and Gentle Wash & Shampoo for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.