It seems like once the days start getting shorter and the temperatures drop, your skin starts losing its healthy summer glow and getting sapped of its moisture. When things move indoors for the winter, dry heat can exacerbate the problem, making skin dry, flaky and rough. But there are a few ways to banish that sad winter pallor, and most of them boil down to one thing: water. Hydration is the key, inside and out, to healthy skin and a healthy body. First, start by easing up on the drying skin products that keep your skin shine-free in the summer. We’re talking about harsh cleansers, masks, peels and alcohol-based toners that strip vital oils from your skin. Switch to something more gentle, yet still oil-free if you need to, when the weather’s cold. Another moisture-sapper, ironically, is hot water. Hot water breaks down valuable lipids in skin that lock in moisture. Stick with lukewarm water for less time, and if you like baths, then try adding oatmeal or baking soda to soothe itchy, dry skin. Always apply a thick moisturizer after getting out of the shower or bath, and exfoliate when you feel dead skin building up – it’ll help that moisturizer soak in better. Perhaps the biggest trouble spot in winter is where skin is thin – the hands. Cuticles can begin to look ragged, and knuckle skin can scrape easily when too dry. Apply a thick moisturizer that’s formulated for the skin on your hands whenever you remember and especially after washing. If you must wear wool gloves, avoid irritation by wearing thin cotton gloves underneath. And it may help to apply moisturizer and then wear thin cotton gloves to bed to lock that moisture in. Perhaps you’ve heard that the more water you drink, the more hydrated your skin will be, but that result varies from person to person. What drinking a lot of water can do, however, is keep your mucus membranes lubricated and better equipped to fight off germs. Either way, you’re helping your body and skin function and look its best in the most challenging season.