Basic skin care rules should be followed all year. However, winter skin care should be more extensive due to the extreme temperatures and environment. You need to do more than the basics if you are going to protect your skin from the elements. The winter skin care advice you are about to read will help you to nourish, protect and provide for your skin during the coldest time of year. Most people neglect to do so and then wonder why their skin gets cracked and looses its luster.

To promote good winter skin care habits, there are some practical things you can do. However, it begins with preparation. Actions like moisturizing more frequently and taking warm showers in lieu of hot showers are great but you must also prepare to face the cold temperatures head on. The winter skin care advice below is actually a collection of preparation acts, if you will, to help your winter skin care to be more effective:

- Keep your hand bag stocked with Vitamin E, Lip Butter or Lip Balm.

- Buy skin care products that contain essential oils versus fragrance oils which contain a mix of unknown chemicals that encourage your skin to become dehydrated.

- Purchase gel cleansers for cleaning your face and/or body. Avoid foam cleansers which tend to strip your skin of natural oils.

- Stock your wardrobe with an abundant supply of 100% cotton under clothing (including socks) which allows your skin to breathe while other articles of clothing like, wool sweaters work to keep body heat in.

- Buy skin care products that do not contain alcohol.

- Add Flax seed oil to your diet. It encourages internal hydration.

- If you don’t have one already, invest in a humidifier which will help add moisture to air which has been dehydrated by indoor heat

This winter skin care advice provides you with basic tips to get you prepared for the cold months that lie ahead. Obtaining the basic items mentioned above is a stepping stone for protecting, nourishing and attending to your skin during the winter.