Here are 8 simple steps to radiant cold-weather skin:

1. Soften Up Your Soap

It’s inevitable that when the mercury plunges, your skin becomes drier. Because your skin’s moisture content is higher than what is in the cold, dry air, the moisture evaporates leading to the dry, uneven skin we all fear. Replace oil-stripping foaming cleanser with a cream-based one that balances hydration in your skin.

TRY:  Korres Milk Proteins Foaming Cleanser

2. The Secret to Bath

When the weather is cold, we are tempted to turn up the heat in the bathtub or shower. Unfortunately, hot water is dehydrating to your skin, so stick to warm water instead. When you get out, towel-blot instead of vigorously wiping down. Also consider coating your skin with a moisture-boosting essential oil, instead of using lotion. Applying helps nourish, and balance the skin’s natural oil production, while imparting the glowing, dewy skin you always wanted.

TRY: Josie Maran Pure Argan Oil

3. Power Wash

By exfoliating year-round you can keep your facing glowing consistently. This process improves your skin’s texture while minimizing fine lines and breakouts. Think of the outer layer of your skin like a piece of glass that needs regular polishing in order to glisten. The more dead skin cells on the top layer of your skin, the less luminous you look. So by exfoliating and cleansing your skin, your daily moisturizer is better able to penetrate skin after the top layer of dead skin cells is cleared away– leaving your skin feeling hydrated and looking beautiful.

TRY: Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System

4. Heavy-Weight Moisture

If you moisturize too much, you risk acne and product build-up, but if you don’t moisturize enough, you will end up with dry, itchy skin. In winter’s harsh weather, bump up your lightweight moisturizer for a more emollient rich one. Even changing up your makeup routine to include moisture rich products will help skin stay soothed and hydrated.

TRY: L’Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Face Cream

5. Don’t Forget the SPF

Putting on SPF everyday may seem like a resounding summer warning, but it is actually a year-round necessity. Ultraviolet rays will replace your natural glow with discoloration, dryness, and eventually, wrinkles. So, as every dermatologist recommends, wear sunscreen every day, no matter what your age, ethnicity, or the weather to protect your skin from damage and possible illness.

TRY: Clinique Broad Spectrum SPF 50

6. Warm-Up Your Makeup Colors

During the colder season, makeup shifts to a slightly more dramatic, feminine look. Introducing a more subdued and sophisticated palette with rich, muted tones such as berry, rose, and plum showcase beautiful looking skin. So opt for an emollient rich berry lip stain with soft, subtle makeup on eyes and cheeks, leaving the lips the focal point of color.

TRY: Stila Lip and Cheek Stain in Raspberry Crush

7. Keep Moving and Keep Hydrated

During the cold winter months, exercise gets the blood flowing, increasing blood flow which carries more oxygen to the skin. The boost in blood flow and oxygen promotes nutrients to flow and improve skin health. This supports all the efforts you make with moisturizers and other skin care products on the skin surface. Don’t forget to keep hydrated by drinking lots of water, too. Water helps our bodies to get rid of unwanted impurities.You don’t want these impurities find a new escape route, for example, through your pores. So drinking more water will help you to have clear and healthy skin all year round. As much as that afternoon latte sounds good, opt for a large glass of water instead.

TRY: Bikram Yoga and BKR Glass Water Bottle

8. Superfoods for glowing skin

All of these tips help keep your skin healthy and beautiful, but protect your skin from the inside out. Things like vitamin C, lycopene, omega-3s, caffeine and isoflavones in soy protect your skin, as well as boost your defenses against skin cancer (the most common type of cancer) will also help keep your skin smoother and ward off wrinkles.  A healthy diet is key to having clean and healthy skin. Some of these superfoods include walnuts that benefit smoother skin, healthy hair, brighter eyes, and strong bones. Blueberries may be small, but they ranked number one in antioxidant activity by the U.S. Department of Agriculture compared to 40 common fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants in blueberries protect you from premature aging. Another great food is wild salmon — not farm-raised. It is one of the best food sources for omega-3 fatty acids, which helps keep your skin supple and moisturized. Salmon also has selenium, a mineral that protects the skin from sun exposure. The vitamin D in salmon keeps your bones and teeth strong and healthy, too. Try grilled salmon on a bed of spinach greens and fresh sliced tomatoes, both super foods too! You will be relieved to know that chocolate is among the list of superfoods that lead to beautiful glowing skin as well.The best kind of chocolate, though, has a high flavanol content and should be at least 60 percent cacao.

TRY: Recipes from GOOP Superfoods Issue

Author: Becky Grzesik is a blogger from Portland, Maine. Her interest in health and beauty lead to the chance of consulting with one of the best Los Gatos plastic surgeons on top skin care. She hasn’t stopped talking about it since!