A dermatologist’s top tips to stop your skin drying out this winter

Between keeping yourself dry, warm and healthy in the cold winter, it can be easy to forget about caring for your skin.

It's a full-time job trying to prevent yourself getting a cold or nasty flu so even after all your nutrition needs are sorted, your skin can get easily neglected. As tempting as sitting beside the blazing fire and hugging your central heater during the wintry evenings can be, it spells out an absolute disaster for our skin. When our skin becomes dry it can be itchy and flaky, but thanks to our friends at Refinery29, dermatologists have dished out advice on how to beat that inevitable winter skin. One tip has been shared by Howard Sobel is to invest in a humidifier. Howard, a dermatologist, says that radiators are the worst culprits for drying out your skin.

"The old-time water-heating systems were much less drying. If you still have a radiator, put a pot of water on [it], and it will release moisture into the air as you heat the room. Hot-air systems should have a humidifier."

Another tip given by Howard (which can save you money too) is to turn down the heat on a timer for when you're asleep, and use blankets instead. Because when you're fast asleep, who needs your room blasting with heat right?

"Keep temperatures on the cool side at home, especially at night, when you can use blankets."

While these tips are great for the skin on your face and body, don't forget about one of the most forgotten victims of the cold - your hands. Overwashing your hands can lead to sore, flaky fingers so make sure to follow up after every wash with a generous dose of moisturiser, even soaking your mitts in a cream overnight to keep them peachy smooth.