If you don't live in the tropics you will want to keep reading. You've surely suffered itchy, sensitive skin when you put on your favorite wool sweater. Blame the cold weather. Cold temperatures result in decreased moisture in the air. Without humidity, there is little moisture in the air. With low moisture levels, it's no surprise you have dry, sensitive skin. Even the warm air in your house works against having moist skin. The moment you click on your furnace that first crisp, winter day you begin to suck the moisture out of the air in your home too. The average furnace-heated home has a humidity level of 10%, though 20-30% is considered ideal. There are ways to have glowing skin despite the cold, dry air outside and inside.

Winter Skin Tip 1. Bypass baths. A hot bubble bath can be tempting, but it can also drain your skin of valuable moisture. If you aren't willing to give up your steamy bath, lower the temperature and add oatmeal to the water. Not only is oatmeal naturally soothing, it also helps the skin bind moisture.

Winter Skin Tip 2. We don't deny the benefits of a relaxing bath on a cold winter's night. Enjoy the relaxing effects of your bath by turning down the temperature and adding this simple and natural mix, made right in your kitchen. Just combine 2 cups of powdered milk with an essential oil of your choice and a couple drops of your favorite perfume. This natural dry skin care will leave your skin feeling soft and fresh. After your bath, apply a skin moisturizer to your skin.

Winter Skin Tip 3. Here's another reason for putting out your cigarette once and for all. Now you have it. The chemicals in cigarettes produce free radicals that age your skin and leave it looking dry and flaky. Nicotine shrinks the blood vessels in the skin, making it more difficult for your skin to retain moisture. Nicotine also causes wrinkles and premature aging. Your skin will thank you for quitting the habit.

How to treat dry, sensitive skin in winter

Winter Skin Tip 4. Lower the temperature. As much as we would like to, we can't control freezing cold temperatures outside. We can, however, adjust the temperature on the thermostat in our house. Artificially heated air is dry and harmful to your skin. This statistic may give you an idea of the drying effects of furnace-heated air. The Sahara Desert has about 25% humidity. Some homes get as low as 10% humidity level during the winter months. Higher temperatures on your thermostat only mean harsher winter skin for you.

Winter Skin Tip 5. Stay away from alcohol and coffee. Both will further dehydrate your skin because caffeine is a known diuretic. Replace your morning coffee with a healthy cup of green tea; it also provides caffeine for your morning wake-up, but the water to caffeine ratio is much lower than that of coffee. You get a small dose of caffeine while hydrating your body!

Winter Skin Tip 6. Moisturize with sunscreen. You've heard it before and you'll hear it again. Sunscreen is essential to healthy skin. UV rays can harm your skin in the winter as well as in the summer. Sunscreen will protect your skin from the drying effects of the sun and provide additional moisture.