Your top skincare tips for dry winter skin

Your top skincare tips for dry winter skin

Dry winter skin can be a real pain in the butt (or back, or arms...). If you're like me, you've probably tried everything to soften your skin and keep it moisturized. I've been doing some research on this very topic — turns out there are plenty of great tips out there for keeping your skin healthy during the cold months! Here are my top five:

Give your skin a break.

• Don't wash your face too frequently.

• Don't scrub your face too hard.

• Avoid overusing products with alcohol, which can dry out skin and make it more sensitive to the cold weather. Alcohol also strips away some of the protective barrier that keeps moisture in your skin, leaving you more susceptible to dryness and irritation when temperatures drop outside.

• Avoid harsh soaps or cleansers that are too harsh for your skin type (i.e., if you have sensitive skin). If you do use a cleanser containing an ingredient like glycolic acid--which helps remove dead cells from the surface of the epidermis--make sure it's labeled as "non-irritating" and doesn't contain any other ingredients (like menthol) that could cause irritation on top of what's already present from using such an acidic product on such sensitive tissue!

Apply a moisturizer with SPF.

Even if you don't want to use a moisturizer with SPF, it's still important to apply sunscreen. The sun's rays can damage your skin and lead to premature aging, so make sure you're using a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays every day (even if it's just for walking from your car or building).

You should look for creams that have an SPF of at least 15--higher is better! You might think this is too high or unnecessary for wintertime, but since our bodies produce less vitamin D during this time of year due to shorter days and less sunlight exposure, an extra boost in protection will help keep those wrinkles away!

Don't skip the eye cream.

You can't get away with skipping your eye cream. Yes, it's true that many of us have forgotten about these little pots of magic for years--and maybe even decades--but the fact remains: If you want to keep your face looking fresh and youthful, you need an eye cream in your routine.

Eye creams are designed specifically for the delicate skin around our eyes and contain ingredients like peptides (which help firm), hyaluronic acid (helps plump), antioxidants (fight free radicals) and vitamin C (brightens). These ingredients work together to reduce fine lines while moisturizing dryness so that they don't reappear later on down the line as wrinkles or crow's feet!

Try an at-home facial.

If you're feeling like your skin is a little rough, it may be time for an at-home facial. Try using a gentle cleanser and then moisturizing with a hydrating cream or serum. For extra hydration, add on an overnight mask before bedtime (just make sure to wash off any excess in the morning). And don't forget to exfoliate! A good scrub can help remove dead skin cells that would otherwise clog pores and cause breakouts.*

• If you have acne-prone skin, avoid scrubs with beads or granules as they could irritate blemishes further.

Your skin will thank you for these skincare tips in the long run.

You may think that your skin is fine the way it is, but if you're like most people, your skin could be in better shape. Dry winter weather can wreak havoc on the health of your complexion--but there are some simple steps you can take to keep it looking young and healthy.

Here are five ways to keep dry winter weather from taking a toll on your appearance:

Dry winter skin can be a real pain, but there are plenty of ways to combat it. With these tips, you'll be on your way to soft, hydrated skin in no time!