Twinkly Christmas lights, steaming mugs of hot cocoa, a fresh blanket of snow – there are so many things we love about winter, but if there’s one thing we detest, it’s the way the weather wreaks havoc on our skin! Dry, itchy and flaky, winter skin really puts a damper on our holiday cheer. Since we are a determined bunch of bloggers, we’ve figured out the ideal routine to ensure the smoothest, softest and silkiest Christmas ever.

1.     Switch To Cream Formulas

Although we adore our fruity gels, the cold weather calls for something more! Opt for cream-based washes, face cleansers and shampoos to hydrate your body and scalp. For example, Neutrogena’s Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Cream Wash manages to keep our acne at bay, without drying it out.

2.     Buff Away

The easiest way of getting rid of scaly skin is by exfoliating. Twice a week use a heavy duty scrub, like Lush’s Cup O’ Coffee on your body and face. Since your lips are the first to get parched, gently rub a lip exfoliator such as Lush’s Bubble Gum Lip Scrub to get rid of the chapped bits.

3.     Seal It In

To minimize the exposure of your skin to the drying temperatures, reach for a moisturizer the minute you step out of the shower. We love Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream for its magical hydrating powers.

4.     Oil Up

‘Tis the season to experiment with oils! For supple skin, add a drop or two of your preferred facial oil to your regular moisturizer. Similarly, seal your hair’s natural moisture by using oils in your routine. Josie Maran’s 100% Pure Argan Oil is a great multi-use product.

5.     Mask It Out

While you snuggle into a blanket for a TV marathon, consider putting on a mask (or two). For our tresses, we adore Moroccanoil’s Intense Hydrating Mask, while The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Sink-In Mask usually does the trick for our face.

Follow this routine to stay flake-free this season. Comment and let us know if you have winter tip for us!