The Best Winter Skincare Tips.

Winter isn't coming. It's here and it's looking ugly. The dropping temperatures are not your skin's friend. If we were in "Mean Girls", winter would essentially be Regina George in all her "I love your skirt" and "Is butter a carb?" glory. It might look gorgeous and you may feel like you're besties, but in reality good ol' winter is backstabbing and not-so-secretly trying to steal Aaron Samuels from you. Okay, I may be a little too obsessed with the movie. Whatever.

Instead of putting foot cream on your face à la Regina George (not that she knew she was doing thanks to Cady), I think I've got a better idea (or two or three). Below are my favorite winter skincare tips to keep you glowing all season long, no matter how hard the snow is falling.

1. Moisturize after showering.

This is one of the easiest ways to replenish your skin's moisture. Slather on lotion as soon as you get out of the shower so the moisture is sealed in and you avoid that horrible tight, dry feeling afterwards. You have about a three minute window before your skin's moisture starts to disappear. Apply an even coat about the size of a nickel to your face and then use about a quarter's worth for your neck and décolletage. The skin on your face is more delicate than that on your body, so using two different types of moisturizer is definitely a good idea. Some of my favorite face serums and products are TULA's hydrating day and night cream and SIO's SkinPad. You can also never go wrong with organic virgin coconut oil!

2. Drink more water.

We were already talking about moisture, so this tip is an absolute must. Drinking water helps to flush our your body's toxins and waste. Without it, your skin is duller, more prone to zits and even makes wrinkles more prominent.

3. Exfoliate weekly.

Get scrubbing with a gentle washcloth. The harsh elements can really wreak havoc on your skin, so exfoliating is a must for getting rid of all those dead skin cells that build up. Gross, I know. One of my favorite exfoliators right now is Garnier SkinActive's Clearly Brighter Argan Nut Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser.

4. Take shorter showers.

Look, I totally get it. Hot showers are pretty much the epitome of amazing when it's freezing outside. However, near-scalding showers are not good for your skin and will remove natural oils from it faster than it takes you to shave your legs. Therefore, if you're as huge of a fan of hot showers as I am, aim to take shorter ones. The steamy shower temperatures are not doing your skin any favors during winter.

5. Avoid wearing scratchy fabrics.

If you just can't be bothered to exfoliate and you absolutely love hot showers, the least you can do is steer clear of itchy fabrics like wool that can dry and irritate your skin.

What are your favorite tips and tricks for switching up your winter skincare routine?