‘Tis the season for dry skin, chapped lips, itching and skin inflammations.

Winter time is here and so are your winter skin woes. When winter brings low temperatures, freezing rain and snow, your indoor heating inevitably cranks up. This only mean one thing - your skin is officially under assault.

It’s true that winter weather can impact your skin adversely. That’s why it pays to follow a good basic skin care regimen to replenish moisture levels and protect against winter sun damage. But winter, is the ideal time to feed your skin with potent nutrients so that your skin stay youthful and healthy.

Beauty begins with common sense. It can be as simple as eating right, getting your beauty sleep, managing stress and following a simple, natural skin care regimen.

Moisture replenishment is crucial

Humidity drops in winter, and the skin’s natural moisture levels drop as well.

As a result, the outer layers of the skin tend to dry out more during fall and winter, leading to dry skin, with scales, inflammation and itching being associated problems for some people. The problem is exacerbated because of heating, fires in fireplaces and exposure to rapid fluctuations in temperatures as one moves from indoors to outdoors or vice versa.

Keep the thermostat as low as you can handle comfortably to reduce dehydration from heating. Use humidifiers to maintain at least 30 percent humidity in your home. The Slant/Fin warm-mist humidifier is one of the quietest, most effective humidifiers although it’s more expensive than the cool-mist Vornado. This humidifier boils the water in the reservoir and uses an ultraviolet light to provide a 100% bacteria-free mist, without the need for filters.

Hot water may feel tempting in cold weather, but it can damage your skin. Hot water is more efficient at emulsifying (breaking up) body oils so they can easily washed away, leaving you high and dry. Therefore, bathe in pleasantly warm water, not hot, and keep to one bath or shower a day in winter.

Use cleansers that will not deplete moisture from already dry skin. The Miessence Rejuvenating Cleanser for the face and the Sunflower Body Wash are especially formulated to cleanse gently without stripping moisture and oils from your skin.

Use moisturizers right after you cleanse or bathe in the morning–the Intensive Body Cream are perfect for moisturising and revitalising your skin. Moisturizers are best applied on barely moist skin. The concentrated blend of organic avocado and safflower oils, phospholipids, vitamins and antioxidants creates combat free radical damage and offer sustained nourishment to your skin, leaving it less vulnerable to the ravages of winter weather.

Carry the Rose Monsoon Hydrating Mist in your purse or briefcase and use it liberally during the day as needed. In Eastern traditions, the aroma of the Thousand-petalled Rose promotes strength and vitality enhances harmony and balance. Saturated with water-soluble botanicals present in the petals, Rosewater has many uses. Spray over make-up for a dewy complexion. Perfect for dehydrating and invigorating your skin.

All moisturizers are not made equal

What you put on your skin is absorbed by your skin. If you use heavily synthetic, chemical-laden products on delicate skin, be prepared for long-term damage. This doesn’t mean you have to do without moisturizers or other skin care products. Look for natural products, and read those ingredients with a magnifying glass. Many products that claim to be herbal or botanical can contain artificial ingredients. The Miessence line, for example, is not only natural and certified organics, it is nurturing for the skin because of the care that has gone into the formulation and processing.

Protect your skin

Winter winds can be very harsh and drying on some types of skin. Choose natural fibers such as wool or silk for protection-natural fabrics allow the skin to breathe better. If your skin tends to chafe with wool, try thick cotton. Always dress in layers, so you can add or remove layers for comfort. Bundling up too much can cause moisture loss through sweat. Sun protection is just as important in winter as it is in summer-wear a wide-brimmed hat and avoid exposure to the hot sun as much as possible. Remember your sun-protection on that skiing holiday-the sun at high altitudes is even more damaging, especially when it reflects off snow.

Feed your skin

Winter skin is very receptive to deep nourishment. This is the season to pamper your skin with rich nourishment routines, morning and evening. The organic Gotu Kola in the Miessence Rejuvenating range, for example, is a collagen enhancer and can help your skin look and feel younger. The Miessence Rejuvenessence Facial Serum, with its synergistic and balanced combination of skin-friendly herbs, offers sustained, deep-layer nourishment to your skin.

Nutrition from within

Diet is important. Include lots of leafy green vegetables in your diet. Eat plenty of sweet, juicy fruits. Drink lots of warm water through the day. Don’t skip meals. Eat pure, fresh foods–stay away from canned or processed foods that contain additives and chemical preservatives.

Follow a skin-friendly lifestyle

Get your beauty sleep. People tend to shortchange themselves on sleep during the holidays. Lack of sleep does not just put dark circles under your eyes and rob the luster from your skin. Sleep deprivation has been linked in recent research to long-term health problems, including obesity. Manage your time, plan ahead, A soothing cup of Organic Chamomile Tea,or a settling aroma such as Sleep Ease diffusing in your bedroom can all help you get those zzzs.

With a little attention to your diet and lifestyle, and some tender loving care each morning and night, your skin can look-and feel-beautiful all through the winter.