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Why does your skin become drier during the winter months? Because many of us are exposed to factors that cause us to lose moisture, including the soaps that we used on a daily basis.

Take fewer showers

Dermatologists recommend that we limit the number of showers or baths that we take. For those of us who simply must bathe frequently, try spending a little less time in the tub/shower.

While many of us like a hot shower, try adjusting the water temperature. Make it warm, rather than hot. The hotter the water, the more it depletes your skin and hair of natural moisture. Try switching to gentle cleansers, ones that do not contain a lot of harsh chemicals: Aveeno, Dove, Nuetrogena, or Tea Tree Gel Therapeutic Body Moisturizer.

Lay it on thick!

If you?re like me, then you don?t care for the feel of thick, heavy, greasy moisturizers. But, let?s face it, they work best. If you cannot tolerate the heavy stuff, then you might want to mix it with a lighter lotion, but make sure to avoid products containing alcohol. It?s best if you apply your moisturizer right after bathing.

Don?t forget to drink lots of water, at least 8 fluid ounces per day and add a humidifier to your arsenal, especially if your house has forced-air heating.

The winter months are a challenge to our health but need not be a threat. Here are some easy ways to give your immune system a boost and help protect yourself from viruses and bacterial infections.

Get good rest

Avoid burning the midnight oil and instead snuggle down with some essential oils such as lavender, which has antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Get outside every day

Even if it's only for a few minutes, step outside and take some deep breaths, have a good stretch and go for a brisk walk if you can.

Eat fresh foods high in natural energy and vitamin C

Soups and stews that are warming, nourishing and easy to digest are ideal for the winter months. Now is not the time for cold foods and drinks. Think warm, fresh and comforting and you will be on the right track for improved immunity.

Positive Thinking and Natural Support

Our immunity can be compromised by stress and negative emotions. Finding ways to relax and enjoy the winter months can go along way to helping us keep fit and healthy. Simple pleasures like essential oils and a supportive diet can help chase away tension and lift your spirits.

The key is to go with the flow of the season, to adjust with it and adopt some self-supportive habits. Try warm baths with aromatic oils and candles; hearty home cooked meals and snuggling down for an early night with an uplifting read.

Take Thyme Out

Thyme essential oil is antiviral and antibacterial. Use a few drops in an oil burner or add to your bath for an immunity boosting, muscle soothing soak. Thyme oil can irritate sensitive skin, so mix it with some oil (such as grape seed or almond) or milk, before adding to your bath under hot running water.

Note: Do not use if you are pregnant or have high blood pressure.

Super-Foods for Boosting Immunity:

# Ginger

Ginger is one of the best natural remedies for relief from colds and flu, it has anti-viral compounds, and it can help sooth coughs and reduce pain too.

# Apples

Apples are known to be high in vitamin C; they also contain antiviral and antibacterial compounds. In the winter months they are delicious served baked or stewed with cloves.

# Liquorice

Liquorice tea is a warming and soothing drink revered for it's healing abilities in soothing sore throats and coughs. Look out for Liquorice Egyptian Spice by Yogi Tea in your local supermarket or health store.

Easy Winter Warmer

Put two cups of good quality cloudy apple juice in a saucepan
add ? teaspoon of grated fresh ginger
? teaspoon of cinnamon powder (or a whole cinnamon stick)
and a pinch of clove powder (or 3 whole cloves)
simmer for 5 minutes, then strain and serve

This vitamin C rich drink is quick and easy to prepare and contains a blend of soothing and supportive ingredients that combine to lift your spirits and boost your immune system.

Ananga Sivyer is a contributing editor and health consultant for LifeScape magazine and the author of the self-help workbook: The Art & Science of Emotional Freedom

Environmental factors, such as cold weather and low humidity have a negative impact on your skin, such as dryness and irritation. Dry skin can appear at any age however, the severity of the dryness increases with age. Dry skin can trigger other skin ailments such as dermatitis, itchiness and irritation and can be characterized by flakiness, roughness and loss of elasticity.

Inappropriate skin care products can also trigger skin dryness in particular during winter. For example, every day cleansers, especially cleansers that contain harsh surfactants (detergents) can have a negative impact on your skin. Be aware of detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate from a product?s ingredients list.

Due to cold weather and changes in the lipids structure of the skin cells, those detergents can easily penetrate the outermost skin layer (stratum corneum) leading to cell damage.

The use of products with high pH alkaline such as soaps can lead to dryness. The impact of the alkaline pH on the stratum corneum, which has slightly acidic pH, induces rapid tightness, which generates skin cracking.

Cold weather promotes a significant reduction in skin hydration. A cleanser without any moisturizing ingredient can reduce the level of fatty acids and cholesterol from stratum corneum even after a single wash. The removal of these lipids can impair the maintenance of a healthy skin. Humectants, such as vegetable glycerin in the formulation of the cleansers are very efficient to attract the moisture into the skin.

To prevent weather-induced skin damages, you have to take into account an extra skin care.

Here are some practical ideas for your consideration. Use a very mild cleansing formula, such as a natural cleansing product without harmful detergents.

Remove completely the soap from your skin care routine during the winter months.

Apply face creams that include high physiological lipids content, such as: cholesterol, ceramide and free fatty acids, like palmitoleic acid. These lipids ease the penetration of the ingredients into the skin and help reform the lipid?s skin structure. Ingredients that can promote the synthesis of ceramide, like linoleic and gamma linoleic acids are also of great importance in maintaining a healthy skin. A night cream instead of a daily moisturizer is much more recommended during the winter in order to replenish and balance the moisture of your skin.

In conclusion, don't forget to extend and adjust your skin care routine to the cold and dry weather conditions.