Winter is a beautiful season full of ice and snow. Along with the beauty, drying air and winds can harm our skin. Learn to protect your skin this winter with a few natural skincare tips.

It is not uncommon for skin to appear dry, red, and itchy during the winter months. Our skin lacks moisture do to the drying conditions of winter. Layering clothing doesnt stop the dryness from occurring. Moisturizing our skin is the key.

1. Drink lots of water“Our bodies are 90 percent water. It keeps our organs hydrated and the largest organ of the body is the skin. Drinking water keeps our skin moisturized from the inside. When we sweat, it is essential that we replenish the water we lose through our skin.

2. Night time moisturizing“We dont think to add lotion to our skin at night since we are only going to jump under the covers. But, the moisture barrier we built during the day needs to be rebuilt especially if you shower before bed. Applying a layer of a natural moisturing cream or lotion on your entire body soothes the skin at night. For those tired feet, a balm especially made for rough patches does the trick.

3. Dont neglect sunscreen“The sun still shines just as bright in the winter. We may not feel it because of the bitter cold temperatures, but the radiation is damaging to skin nonetheless. Before applying any makeup, add sunscreen to the face.

4. Use a humidifier“The air in winter can be very dry. Even in the house, the heat can have a drying effect on the skin and the nasal passages. To add bits of moisture to the air invest in a humidifier. There are two types: warm and cool mist. A cool mist humidifier adds moisture to the air but lowers the temperature a few degrees for comfort.

5. Scrub away dead skin“Just like we shed hairs from our head each day, our skin is continually creating new layers underneath the old. Dry flaky skin doesnt hold much moisture. Removing dead skin in the shower with sugar scrubs or exfoliating pads allows the new skin to breathe and soak up moisture.

6. Lukewarm showers“Taking a shower at cooler temperatures keeps pores closed so they dont lose moisture. Shorter showers prevent skin dryness. Rinse off quickly after lathering up to keep skin soft. Apply a moisturizing lotion after toweling off.

Winter is a beautiful time of year, but it can be murder on your skin. Add a few of these tips to your routine and see how much better your winter skin feels.