The cold winter months can really take a toll on your skin. And it affects the skin all over your body, not just your face. The dry air and wind literally strip away moisture and natural oils, leaving behind blotchy, dull and sometimes even cracked skin. It's true that your skin remains under wraps for most of the winter months, but that's no justification for slacking off. In fact, you've got to kick your winter skin care regime into high gear and ward off damage before it begins.

Hydration really does begin on the inside. One of the most effective ways of keeping skin hydrated during the winter is to water it. That's right - you need to continue drinking your 8 glasses of water every day to keep skin moist and to reap the countless other benefits of water. Another thing you can do is add some humidity to your environment by using humidifiers designed for use in the home. Moisture in the air keeps the itching, cracking and drying under control.

Before you purchase any moisturizing product, know your skin type so that you get one that won't end up causing even more skin issues. When you do venture outdoors, put on sunscreen or a moisturizer with a built-in sun protection factor of at least 8 - 15. The sun rays are stronger than you think especially if they're bouncing off the snow. Exfoliating your skin weekly will help to remove the dry, flaky outer layers of skin that take the most beating from the elements.

Moisturizers containing natural oils like jojoba and avocado (instead of petroleum) offer good skin protection because they'll actually form a protective layer on top of the skin, which will help keep moisture from escaping, while also allowing skin to breathe. Dressing is layers, with a layer of cotton closest to the skin, keeps the body from overheating, another cause of dry, irritated skin.