When you see those scale-y patches start to emerge, don't shy away from heavy emollients to hydrate your skin all winter long. Look for products that combine humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin with emollients like ceramides, petrolatum, and shea butter to lock in the moisture!

Switch your makeup remover!

Taking off your makeup each night before bed is a necessary step in your nightly skincare routine. However, your makeup remover of choice could be causing damage. Unfortunately, the same ingredients that take makeup off your skin may disrupt the microbiome [the healthy mix of good and bad bacteria on your skin's surface] and interfere with skin barrier function.

Diet matters

While there are certain factors that you can't change, like genetics and the weather. But one you can control that plays a role in how your skin looks? Your diet. You need to consume enough healthy fats to contribute to a healthy moisture barrier in the skin. Up your intake of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds, and chicken, and you may see an improved complexion as a result.

Don’t overdo with exfoliation

When going through your skincare routine, it's important to avoid too much scrubbing on your skin. Over exfoliating can mess with that protective moisture barrier and cause your hydration to seep out more easily. Skin naturally exfoliates itself, but if you want to add in a scrub or chemical exfoliant, dermatologists agree that once or twice a week is plenty.