We all want to look our best for the holidays, and part of that is maintaining healthy glowing skin. The problem with this season is the weather. If you are anything like I am, your skin will start to dry out, your lips will be chapped and your hair will get so much static cling that you look like you have been electrocuted. Not cute. Dry skin makes you look older and less healthy. So how do you combat the forces of winter this holiday season? Here are 8 helpful tips that we recommend:

1. Maintain a strict moisturizing regimen –  When we are rushing to get to work, or maybe a holiday party it is easy to skip this step. Try to make it a routine so you can prevent your skin from drying out past the point of no return. I like Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E. Even though it is traditionally used for stretch marks, I find cocoa butter to be one of the only things that keeps my skin looking moisturized throughout the winter.
2. Don’t skip the exfoliation! – This is another thing that is easy to forget to do in the shower, but add it to the beauty routine. Exfoliating helps to eliminate dead skin, allowing your skin to breathe and grow new healthy layers. Be careful when exfoliating the face. It is more sensitive and more prone to drying out.
3. Drink water – This is an underrated, but crucial step to maintaining a healthy glow in the winter. Beauty and health begins from the inside and radiates out. Start with drinking 6-8 tall glasses of water a day. If you want to get extra fancy, add a little lemon in the morning for clearer skin. I find it easier to drink water in the summer when it is hot. In the winter I usually crave warm unhealthy drinks. If you are like I am, try heating your water up and putting it in a thermos.
4. Get your daily dose of vitamin C – Vitamin C has been proven to help with acne, wrinkles, and excessive dryness. Eat a lot of pomegranate, citrus fruit, and dark leafy greens. Try a vitamin C serum and follow with moisturizer at night before bed.
5. Cover up – Protect your skin from the winter elements with hats, gloves, scarves and whatever else it takes.
6. Wear sunscreen every day – Believe it or not, we are still prone to sun damage in the winter. It’s those few minutes walking to the car, or to the store that truly add up.  Protect your skin with a good sunscreen on a daily basis to prevent sunspots and wrinkles on your face as well as the backs of your hands.
7. Get a humidifier – You may want to blast the heat when you are indoors at home. Try to avoid this because dry heat can take a lot of moisture out of your skin. Last year I bought a humidifier, which made a major difference in my skin. They may seem expensive, but they are a fantastic investment.
8. Take a cool shower – Stop scalding yourself with hot water! It will dry you out before you know it. Instead, try to keep the water cool so you stay hydrated and beautiful.