Winter Skincare Tips to Get You Through the Dry, Cold Months

Between the cold dry air outside and the dry heat indoors, it's a challenge to keep your skin soft, smooth and healthy during the winter. NYC dermatologist Dr. Sapna Westley, shares her must-know beauty tips to keep your skin baby soft until spring.

1. Jump in, jump out. Long hot showers may feel fantastic, but they can quickly dry out your skin. Keep your showers and baths under five minutes and use warm water, not hot.

2. Lather up, baby. In the shower, use a creamy fragrance-free hydrating body wash to thoroughly cleanse your skin without stripping it of natural oils. (It's a good rule of thumb to avoid all products containing fragrances during the winter, as they easily irritate dry skin.)

3. Moisturize immediately post-shower. The single most important step to remember is to moisturize as soon as you step out of the shower while your skin is still moist. Use a cream-based moisturizer containing ceramides, like Curel Intensive Healing Cream. The ceramides will strengthen your skin barrier from the inside, while the water-and-oil technology locks in moisture from the outside. Curel Intensive Healing Cream is also an ideal moisturizer for people with very extreme cases of dry skin and diabetics, who are prone to skin complications.

4. Wear soft clothing. Avoid scratchy wools, which will easily rough up dry, flaky skin. Instead, slip into soft, breathable fabrics like cotton.

5. Use hypoallergenic detergents. Don't use detergents that are fragranced as they can trigger skin reactions. Dr. Westley's pick: All Free Clear Detergent, which is free of dyes and perfumes and provides a powerful clean that's also hypoallergenic.

6. Use a humidifier. To combat dry heat indoors, place a humidifier in your bedroom. Even better, get several small humidifiers and scatter them around your house. Adding moisture into the dry indoor hair will help immensely to keep your skin soft and smooth.

7. Drink up! Don't forget to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

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