Exfoliating your skin is key to making sure that your skin is free of dead skin cells and also to prep it for maximum moisturizer absorption. Using an exfoliating cleanser like Anthony Facial Scrub two to three times a week helps to increase cell turnover and slough away dead and dry skin thanks to a tropical burst of Bora Bora white sand.

Kiehls Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men

Post-cleansing, use this moisturizer from Kiehls to help ward off dry skin and irritation. But dont be fooled by its lightweight and fast-absorbing formulaits a true multitasker. Its blend of vitamins and extracts helps to boost radiance and moisture levels while also banishing tired, dull looking skin.

When the temperature starts to drop, lips are one of the first parts of your face to start showing the signs of dry skin. This hydrating balm from Lucky Bastard contains a blend of nourishing oils and shea butter that work together to keep your lips soft and smooth all day long. It also helps protect them from harmful sun rays (important even in the dead of winter) thanks to the inclusion of a natural SPF.

If you havent heard it before, now is the time to listenyou should be drinking more water! Being properly hydrated goes far beyond being refreshed, but it may also help to increase overall moisture levels in your skin, increase energy levels, and regulate bodily functions. Plus, if you have dry skin to start with, being dehydrated can actually make your skin look more dry and wrinkled. Grab this bottle from Swell and never be parched again. Drink up!

Winter is comingget your grooming in check just in time for the cold weather.

Winter is right around the corner and its time to overhaul your routine in order to protect yourself against cold air wreaking havoc on your face (we see you dry, flaky skin). Add these four products into your arsenal and keep your handsome going all season long.

How To: Prep Your Skincare Routine for Winter

You dont want to strip your skin of crucial oils and moisture any time of year, but in the winter this is especially important. Cleansers or body washes without harsh surfactants are gentler than basic bar soaps, and therefore don't strip away the natural skin barrier, says Dr. Belkin. So be sure to sub in mild, extra-gentle face and body washes in the winter months to restore a natural moisture balance. He also suggests avoiding taking showers or washing your face with scalding hot water, which can be tempting when it's freezing out. Ideally, you rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry, and then apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp, he says.

Our winter skin savers: 
- For your face: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser
- For your body: Davines OI Body Wash

Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate is our mantra from December to March. Its key because it buffs away dead skin cells, allowing the precious products that come next (were talking serums, moisturizers, and lip balms) to be more effective. A few times a week (twice if your skin tends to be sensitive, every day if yours can tolerate it), cleanse your face with a physical exfoliator that has a gritty texture to physically slough away anything lingering on skin's surface. If your skin is ultradry, Dr. Belkin warns that physical exfoliation can be irritating. Instead, opt for a chemical exfoliator that uses chemicals like AHAs and BHAs to penetrate the skin. Alpha-hydroxy acids (like glycolic acid and lactic acid) can be moisturizing even while exfoliating, and beta-hydroxy acids (like salicylic acid) are also gentle exfoliants and safe for sensitive skin, says Dr. Belkin. And lest we forget the most commonly chapped area of our bodies in the winter, you should also keep a gentle lip scrub on hand to buff away any flakes on your mouth that may prevent balm or color from adhering.

Our winter skin savers:
- For your face: Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator (physical exfoliator) + Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment (chemical exfoliator)
- For your lips: Sara Happ The Lip Scrub
- For your body: Herbivore Botanicals Coco Rose Body Polish

In general, those of us who don't tend to think about moisturizing most of the year need to be more on top of it in winter, says Dr. Belkin. He recommends slathering on products with occlusive moisturizers (ingredients that prevent water loss like petrolatum, silicone, vegetable oil, beeswax, and ceramides) and humectants (ingredients that attract moisture like glycerin, lactic acid, and hyaluronic acid) daily. The same goes for moisturizing the body, he says. Frequent spots with flaky, dry skin are the back and the lower legs. Ideally, choose a moisturizer with lactic acid to both moisturize and exfoliate dead skin at the same time. We argue that this might be the most important step in your revamped routine. Moisturizers not only make your skin look better, they actually make your skin work better: when skin cells are hydrated, they repair themselves and turnover more rapidly. So slather upwell see you on the other side (of winter, that is).

Our winter skin savers:
- For your face: Bioderma Hydrabio Srum + Air Repair Complexion Boosting Moisturizer
- For your lips: Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm
- For your body: Kopari Organic Coconut Melt

Though we love winter's pretty snow days, cozy layers, and warm drinks, it also comes with some less fun happenings. There's crazy weather patterns, frigid temps, and eekour skin usually acts up, too. When the air gets drier outside and we crank up our heaters inside, our skin starts to yearn for more moisture (hence those pesky flakes and bumps). Luckily, with the help of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Daniel Belkin of the [Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York](https://www.laserskinsurgery.com/), you can kick chapped skin to the curb by making a few mindful swaps in your *cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize* routine.

Here's How to Cure Your Chapped Skin This Winter

We teamed up with Rent the Runway on four-holiday beauty and fashion looks for every occasion. First up is a protective hairstyle paired with trendy wide-leg jeans and a cozy sweater thats perfect for all your Thanksgiving dinners.

Step 1: Part hair to the side and use a gel, like Bumble and bumble. Bb. Curl Anti-Humidity Gel-Oil, near the roots.

Step 2: Begin twisting hair from the front of one side, adding pieces as you go, and pin behind your head.

Step 4: Stack one twist on top of the other, tucking ends underneath.

Step 5: Impress your family and friends at Thanksgiving!

Yinersi's outfit and accessories are from Rent the Runway. Learn more about their new subscription, Update, at RenttheRunway.com

A protective hairstyle for your holiday parties and the outfit inspiration to match. 

While they say nothing is certain but death and taxes, there's one other thing that's for sure around this time of year: You can never really have enough hydration. The dry, cold climate combined with office radiators cranking at full blast wreak havoc on our skin. When it comes to moisturizers, your first instinct might be to slather on more to get the hydration your skin craves. However, this season we're all about slathering on smarter with an innovative water cream that's perfect for the winter months. We chatted with the pros below on what exactly a water cream is, why it's so effective, and how you can easily incorporate it into your routine.

What is a water cream and what makes it different from other moisturizers?

"Water creams are H2O-based, but that's not necessarily what makes them specialmost moisturizers contain water," says Dr. Heidi Waldorf, associate clinical professor in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. "The key ingredient in any moisturizer is a humectant to pull water in like a sponge," she says. A standout water cream could feature a humectant like hyaluronic acid, which provides moisture and suppleness to the skin.

What is hyaluronic acid and what makes it a star ingredient?

"Hyaluronic acid is a powerful ingredient that has the ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It's biologically something we all have in the foundation of our skin, which makes it safe and supereffective," says Dr. Rachel Nazarian of Schweiger Dermatology Group. "It also means water cream is great for all skin types. Since it's non-comedogenic and not oil-based, it's perfect for acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin. Plus, the lightweight consistency makes it fantastic for dry skin since it's so hydrating, but doesn't feel sticky or heavy."

Speaking of texture, what does a water cream feel like on your skin?

"Water cream almost has a jelly-like consistency, but won't leave skin sticky to the touch," says Dr. Nazarian. "It absorbs pretty quickly and you don't need very much product to get full coveragea little bit goes a long way."

Are there benefits to the gel-like texture versus heavier, thicker creams?

"I think there's a misconception that you have to swap out your lighter summer moisturizers for thicker, goopier ones to get hydration in the winter. Skin is a breathable organ and needs to be able to have contact with the environment to regulate itself. For instance, if you're going to occlude it with super-thick lotions, you're blocking your sweat glands since there's too much product clogging up your pores. So a lightweight water cream gives you that vital hydration your skin craves, without the need to add heavy layers of product," says Dr. Nazarian.

"Yes! Oil and water don't mix since oil is hydrophobic. If you're going to put on a face oil, it's better to use as a secondary product. Wait for the water cream to fully absorb for a few minutes and then pat on your face oil if you want extra moisture," says Dr. Nazarian.

How long does the hydration from a water cream last?

"Every time you wash your face or do something that strips the natural oils from your skin, like working out, you'll want to add a fresh layer of water cream. But in general, twice a dayin the morning and eveningshould be all it takes to get long-lasting moisture," says Dr. Nazarian.

Ready to introduce this game-changer into your skincare routine? We love Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream, which not only contains two forms of hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate skin, but also papaya enzymes to reduce the appearance of dark spots and illuminate your complexion.

We chatted with the pros to discover everything you need to know about water creams.

Why Water Cream Should Be Your New Winter Moisturizer

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You've got one chance every day to maximize your hair product's effectiveness. Here's how to get it right each morning.

You've got one chance every day to maximize your styler's effectiveness. Here's how to get it rightthat is, how to *properly* apply your hair producteach morning.

How To: Prep Your Skincare Routine for Winter

Here's How to Cure Your Chapped Skin This Winter

How to: Protective Twist Updo

Why Water Cream Should Be Your New Winter Moisturizer

How to Properly Apply Hair Product