The sting of chapped lips and the itch of moisture-stripped dermis can say winter is practically behind us, but even as it bids adieu, the chilly gusts can deliver a parting shot that you'll remember for many seasons yet. But don't fret: It takes just minutes a day to counteract the skin dryness typically caused by cold weather if you follow these fourteen simple skin-saving tips.

Switch soaps: In winter, your skin produces fewer lipids, the cells that make it supple. To counteract this seasonal drying, trade your regular body cleanser for a moisturising body wash that contains lipids. Choose a product that lists one or more of the following skin-soothing ingredients on its label:

• Lecithin

• Squalene

• Phospholipids

• Essential fatty acids

• Safflower oil

• Petrolatum

If, despite your best efforts, you're still plagued by the winter pricklies, switch to a mild soap that is also fragrance free - it'll be less irritating.

Face off: Make sure your facial cleanser is gentle. For dry complexions, use a cream cleanser that moisturizes as it cleanses. Look for ingredients such as wheat germ oil, which cleans without stripping, and glycerin, which attracts moisture to your skin's surface. Water-based gel cleansers with oil-fighting ingredients such as seaweed extract are perfect for oily complexions.

Ideally, you should have two cleansers: One for days when your skin is a bit oilier than normal and another for days when your skin feels a bit drier. And whatever you do, never use body soap on your face. It'll strip skin and leave it feeling tight and dry. Sure, genetics play a role in how your face looks and feels, but factors such as diet, weather, and stress also affect it on a daily basis. That's why it's important to know your skin and use common sense when caring for it. Don't reach blindly for the same products every day; tune in to your skin, and let it tell you what it needs.

Lather, rinse - and do not repeat: Hot water strips natural oils from your skin that help keep it hydrated. So those long, hot baths rob your skin of moisture, making it dry and itchy. Its cure can be - Shower in lukewarm water for no more than 10 minutes.

Try a homemade scrub: Here's a quick recipe for a gentle exfoliant that is ideal for the dry season: Blend one part sugar with four parts of your favourite moisturising body lotion. Rub the mixture on your elbows, heels, and feet to smooth out the rough spots. The sugar will dissolve as you rub, so you won't run the risk of over-exfoliating.

Slather while still damp: Moisturizers work by trapping water in your skin's outer layers. Without this, skin looks dull, tired, and older than it really is. So use creams and lotions immediately after exiting the shower. Give yourself a quick towel-dry so you're not dripping wet and then coat yourself from top to toe with the lotion, paying special attention to the back of the hands, elbow, feet and nape.

Try a lightweight moisturising lotion for normal skin, and opt for a richer hydrating cream with ingredients such as

• Petrolatum

• Soy

• Glycerin

• Lanolin

• Safflower seed oil

• Mineral oil

• Dimethicone

• Shea butter

When skin feels dry or sensitive and you fall in need the heavy duty kind? Go for ointments or creams rather than lotions, which include more water than oil. Even oily skin benefits from moisturiser. Choose an oil-free formula that hydrates as it helps tame oil production.

Remember: Whenever you wash or exfoliate, whether it's your hands, your face, or your whole body, it's important to follow up with a moisturizer.

Soothe your lips: Apply a lip balm to seal in moisture and protect against wind, cold, and chapping. Look for one that contains sunscreen and petrolatum, dimethicone, or simethicone.

Block those rays! Sunlight may feel soothing, but that doesn't mean you can skip the sunscreen. Ultraviolet rays can damage skin even in winter, so you need to protect body parts that will be exposed to the elements: typically your face, lips, neck, and hands. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher before your regular moisturiser, or buy a moisturiser that has sunscreen in it. Remember to apply at least 20 minutes before sun exposure.

Seek a skin-friendly environment: In the summertime, your skin can replenish itself by soaking up the moisture in the air. But when the mercury falls, so does the natural humidity. Dry indoor air makes skin dry too. If you live in the northern states of India, place a pan of water near the heat vent in the room you're in to create a skin-friendly environment.

Pamper your peepers: The skin around your eyes is more delicate than the rest of your face and needs special care. Use a good eye cream first thing in the morning. And as you get older, try a richer eye formula with shea butter or beeswax in the night. Guys, this advice is for you, too.

Soothe your aching feet: When you walk, your soles absorb nearly three times your body weight. To reduce swelling, soak your tootsies in a footbath laced with Epsom salts. For faster relief, alternate the water from lukewarm to cool. This stimulates blood flow and eases soreness. Rub on a lotion with menthol, which improves circulation and relieves pain. Cracked heels deserve extra attention in winter. Slather them with a heavy duty moisturising cream or lotion just before bed, and pull on socks to avoid staining the sheets. Wear sensible shoes during the day and try cushioned inserts to help absorb the shock.

Traveling frequently by air? Adding to winter's miseries, low in-flight humidity and recycled air rob skin of moisture. Tote along a cream formulated with petrolatum or mineral oil, which holds moisture in your skin. If you're acne prone, look for the word none ome do genie on the label, meaning it won't clog pores.

Cut out the caffeine: Colas, coffee, tea, etc. draw moisture from the skin. Hydrate your skin from the inside by downing at least eight glasses of water a day, even if you don't feel thirsty, as is often the case in winter.

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