Winter weather maybe rough, but our skin shouldn’t be! Protect your skin from the harsh effects of winter by soaking in these simple tips to keep your skin glowing in the winter.

In the winter months, we are constantly going from hot to cold - from venturing from the frigid outdoors to the warmth of indoors. This does a number on your skin and so do the hot showers we take to warm ourselves up after our excursions. The intense heat of a hot shower or bath breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, which can pull all of the moisture out of it. It then becomes dehydrated. We instead, should be taking warm (not hot) showers. The steam in showers is beneficial to the skin. But if you overdo it, you can dehydrate your skin as well.

For people who have oily skin, over cleaning it will prompt their skin to produce twice as much oil to make up for the amount of hydration that is lost. The result is dry skin that produces more oil, more acne, and more bacteria. For those who have dry skin, it simply makes it even drier.

Just because it’s winter, it doesn’t mean you should not keep using your SPF. The reality is that UV light easily reflects off the snow and ice and could be worse for skin than direct sun exposure. Make sure you wear an SPF of at least 15 or higher. Or use a moisturizer that contains an SPF to maximize your skin’s protection and health.

If you suffer from dry, flaky, itchy skin, a lukewarm bath with oatmeal or baking soda can help relieve it. So, too, can periodically reapplying your moisturizer.

If you have never gotten a facial, it may just be the season to do it. Not only does it help rehydrate your skin but it also helps to reduce stress that driving in the winter weather can sometimes create.If those techniques don't work and you still are having issues, it might be a sign of something more serious. Make an appointment to go see a dermatologist.