The ultimate dry skin survival guide

Although cold, windy winter days contribute to overall dryness, it's the air indoors that causes most of our skin care woes. During the winter months, we tend to increase the thermostat on our heaters and while this does keep us warm and cozy, it causes severe dryness to the skin.

To counteract the dryness caused by the heat, start with a good moisturizer, turn down the thermostat and use a humidifier in your bedroom. This will help keep your skin moist while you're at home because humidifiers increase moisture in the air (hello, softer skin).

When outdoors, be sure to apply a good moisturizer and sunscreen before stepping out into the cold to protect the skin from excessive dryness, which can be exacerbated by harsh conditions.

Cleanse: Use a mild cream or lotion cleanser that will help remove dirt and impurities without over-drying. This is very important to maintain the oil and moisture balance in the skin. Avoid using soap, which will strip moisture from your skin and add to overall dryness.

Treat: Once skin is dry, follow with a serum. Serums are formulated with active ingredients like vitamins and antioxidants and are designed to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin to treat various conditions like dryness and flaking. Let dry before moving on to the next step.

Moisturize: A good moisturizer is very important to avoid excessive dryness and flaking. Look for products that have healthy, natural ingredients to expedite the healing process of over-drying. A heavier cream versus a lotion is also a better option for dry winter skin. Note: Even those with oily skin need to moisturize. Look for an oil-free option, but don't skip this step.

Protect: Finally, slather on the sunscreen. There may be ice on the ground and snow in the air, but the glare of the sun during the winter months is severely damaging to the skin.