It’s already January, which means that we are in the thick of wintertime. Winter already affects our lives enough, and many people don’t think of the negative effects that wintertime can cause to your skin. The lack of humidity, the exposure to indoor heaters, and blustery winds actually can make your skin drier and duller, especially on the face. This can make the skin sensitive, red, and even itchy or flakey. Skin needs extra love in the winter because it is an extremely drying time that can even quicken the aging process. The following recommendations will help stop winter blues and promote bright, hydrated, and protected skin for the months ahead.

There are small steps everyone can take to lessen the effects of dry skin in the winter. Switch out your face wash. Swapping a foaming cleanser for a creamy one is often all it takes to help adjust to colder, drier weather. Some affordable options are the Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration Cream Cleanser and the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, both can be found at Target and other drugstores. Another popular hydrating cleanser, that even melts away makeup, is the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, found on Glossier.com.

This winter introduces a toner to your skincare routine. Toning should be an important part of the cleansing process because it removes remaining oil and dirt that was left behind by the cleanser. More importantly, the toner will help soothe, nourish, and hydrate the skin while restoring the pH balance in your skin. Some popular toners are the Thayers Alcohol- Free Cucumber Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera Toner, found at Target, or the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater, found at Ulta.

Moisturizing is important all times of the year but most especially in the wintertime. It is critical to not only moisturize the face and neck but the whole body. Some of the most popular facial moisturizers are the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Intense Hydration Cream, found at Ulta, or the Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich Cream found on Glossier.com. Even if you have oily skin, it is still extremely important to hydrate your skin. If you are worried about breaking out from a creamy moisturizer, try a water-based one like the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, found at Ulta or Target, or the famous Tatcha Water Cream, found at Sephora. If you enjoy using all natural products, try out jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is unique in that it closely resembles the natural oil that your skin produces, so it can act as a natural skin conditioner. It moisturizes all day, so it’s ideal for dry faces, but it is also beneficial to oily skin because of its antibacterial properties that help control bacterial growth.

Face masks can be quick- fix to any skin issue, plus they can be therapeutic, helping you relax and de-stress. Homemade masks can be just as effective as store-bought masks. Mixing a bit of avocado, yogurt, mashed bananas, and honey can help restore the natural glow to dry, cracked skin. Avocados are known to nourish the skin with natural oils, yogurt has natural antibacterial properties and lactic acid that help to dissolve dead skin and tighten pores, bananas can help treat acne by reducing inflammation, and honey is full of antioxidants which means it helps to create a youthful glow.

Having a reliable skin care routine is important to the health of your skin. The most important trick to saving your skin this winter is water. Drinking adequate amounts of water flushes toxins out of your body so it clears your skin of dirt and bacteria. It is important to take care of yourself and your skin this winter to protect it from the environment and promote a glowing complexion all year round.