It’s human instinct to want to hole yourself up in a hot-hot shower for five hours when the temps outside get chilly. Warm water hitting cold skin just feels lovely (add L’Occitane Ultra Rich Shower Cream) to the mix and you’re in heaven). But according to Beverly Hills based dermatologist Stuart Kaplan, M.D., long, hot showers could be doing more damage to your skin than good. The longer and hotter a shower is, the more natural oil it removes from your skin, making it dry and itchy. Instead, take 10-minute (MAX!), luke-warm showers. Pat (do not rub!) your skin until it is just moist, and put on an emollient cream like Eucerin on to seal the moisture into your skin.

Readers, I must share the most wonderful night cream that has made my skin act “normal.” CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, $16, is a huge jar of goodness that I apply to my face every night to ward off dry, flaky skin. I also love that it’s available at the drugstore  and will easily last me through next winter. (Unless I start using it on my body, which it’s approved for, too.)

Need more dry skin advice? Check out Winter-Proof Your Skin, from our December issue.