Now that it's winter, you should step up your skin care routine

Winter is the season for dry, cracked skin caused by the harsh environmental elements. Furthermore, your skin may be struggling from stress from school and the holidays. Boost your regular routine with these tips to get back on top of your skincare health.

Apply lotion regularly.
Moisturizing your face and body every day is key to keeping your skin looking and feeling healthy. You don't want winter ashiness and itchiness to bother you, so maintaining this routine is beneficial. Remember to moisturize your face in the morning and again at night .

Bathe with hydrating soaps and shower gels.
Add a bath & shower oil.
Harsh soaps and hot water strip your skin of the natural oils that keep it soft and supple. Use a moisturizing soap or hydrating shower gel when bathing to help keep more of your skin's natural oils. Additionally, a shower & bath oil - like Alpha Keri Moisture Rich Oil or Aveeno Skin Relief Shower & Bath Oil - adds an extra layer of protection to prevent dry, itchy skin.

Use lip balm.
The skin of your lips are not protected by natural body oils, thus they easily dry out and become chapped Frequently apply a hydrating lip balm during the winter to avoid developing painfully cracked lips.

Cover your skin when outside...and wear sunscreen.
In addition to providing warmth in the winter, your clothing keeps your skin healthy too. Prolonged exposure to dry air/wind and low humidity will zap the moisture from your skin, so cover much of your skin in a protective layer. Also, apply sunscreen to any exposed skin if you will be in outdoors for an extended period. The sun can damage your skin just as much in the winter as the summer, especially when it reflects off snow.

Exfoliate.
It may seem counter-intuitive, yet exfoliating your skin actually makes it softer by removing old cells. Pick out a gentle scrub that won't tear your skin, or make your own with this recipe. Remember to moisturize afterwards.

Put on a moisturizing facial masque.
This is one of the easiest ways to add life back into your skin. Choose a moisturizing sheet mask to pamper your face and cleanse yourself from the harsh winter air. If you don't want to buy one, follow one of these DIY options.

Do a hair masque or deep-conditioning treatment too.
As part of the body's integumentary system, your hair can suffer from the cold just like your skin, so be sure to give your scalp some love too. Pick up a hydrating hair mask, deep-conditioning treatment, or oil treatment for healthy hair.

Try out oils and serums.
There's more to skin products than just facial lotions and cleansers. Even if you usually have oily skin, using a serum or facial oil can really help you out in the winter. Everyone's face can suffer during the colder months, but adding a special product into your routine can offset that harm and alleviate extra dryness.

Visit with a health-care professional.
If you suffer from cracked skin, chronic dryness, or sudden severe painful dry skin, you may need to see a doctor. The University Health Center medical providers can evaluate and treat dry skin and provide referrals to their Dermatology Clinic. Learn more at the UHC website and call 402-472-5000 to schedule an appointment.