To everything, there is a season. The same holds true for your skin. Whether you’re exposed to the sun’s harsh ultraviolet light in the summer or the extremely cold conditions during the winter, one thing is certain: nurturing your skin is an ongoing task. However, a tight budget and busy schedule can quickly diminish your skin care regimen. Have no fear: there are many easy and affordable tips and tricks for ‘winterizing’ your skin, so no matter how crazy your life might be at the office, your skin will never look the part.

This year, begin winter-proofing your skin early – it’s much better to be proactive than reactive. The following tips will help you prepare your skin for the upcoming season, so you won’t be crying about dry skin. Instead, your skin will look fresh, lively and thirst-free from head to toe – all in a day’s work!

Face

Drying, cracking, flaking, itching – there’s nothing too sexy about your skin during the wintertime. Protecting your face and delicate features from the abrasive, cold conditions outdoors is a priority. While you may have lost that healthy summer glow, it doesn’t mean your face has to look dull and dried out. Follow the appropriate protocol and you’ll love your skin despite the dreadful weather.

Eyes
The main premise of winter-proofing your skin is to keep it moisturized regularly, and the sensitive skin around your eyes – which is 10 times thinner than any other part of the body – is no exception. In fact, many skin care professionals stress the importance of taking even greater care of the skin surrounding the eyes because of this very reason – it tends to lose elasticity much easier and thus, reveals tired, aging eyes.

Vitamins A and C are extremely beneficial for the eye area. Whether you eat certain foods high in these supplements (i.e. carrots, milk, tomatoes) or your eye cream contains a healthy amount of them, they can work wonders for your eyelids and under-eye area. A helpful tip is to apply eye cream using your ring finger; as this produces the least amount of pressure.

Another effective (and inexpensive) tactic for winter-proofing your eyes is to rest cucumbers or damp tea bags on them for 15-20 minutes, a few times a week. Always use high-quality eye makeup that hasn’t expired; get plenty of rest each night; and drink eight, 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Soon you’ll notice your once-tired eyes begin to brighten and perk up.

Lips – When confronting your winter skin care woes, the lips shouldn't take a backseat; instead, they should be cared for every few hours at the very least. Similar to the eyes, the lips are very sensitive and need plenty of TLC during the winter. What’s more, millions of Americans are victims of cold sores and fever blisters. While these are viruses and must subside on their own, an antibiotic ointment can keep them moist and under control.

Many women believe lipstick can cure them of dry, cracked lips, but truth is they need a special lip moisturizer instead. Burt’s Bees has a wide selection of lip products from which to choose, including medicated balms and creams with SPF in them. Other effective lip products include Softlips, Carmex, Vaseline and Blistex. Additionally, if you exfoliate your lips every so often using your toothbrush, it will keep them supple and smooth.

Cheeks
Many women experience tight, dry skin around their T-zone area (the forehead, nose and cheeks). The windy and cold conditions during the winter can blister this section of your face, and a gentle moisturizer with SPF is a necessity. Wash your face with lukewarm – not hot – water, as the fluctuation between cold weather and hot water will dry out the skin even more. Don’t use soap – try a gentle cleanser instead, like one by Cetaphil or Neutrogena.

Hands

Because there is a lack of moisture in the cold winter air, not to mention the dry heat indoors, it causes dryness in many areas of the body, including the hands. Dry, chapped hands are not only uncomfortable and oftentimes itchy, but also unsightly. Here are a few tips that will help retain moisture in your hands.

• Keep your time in the shower brief.
• Bathe using lukewarm water.
• Apply moisturizer within three minutes after showering (and regularly throughout the day).
• Use an alcohol-free cream made specifically for hands.
• When outside in the cold weather for a long period of time, wear gloves.

There are several products on the market that restore moisture in the hands. The good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune. Try L’Occitane’s Cherry Blossom Hand Cream Duo or Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, which is fragrance-free.

Legs

Not only do your legs become dry and flaky in the winter months, but they also lose their healthy glow. These days, you don’t have to cover up your gorgeous gams; instead, a little body cream and a spray-on tan will give you the confidence you need to show them off. Keep in mind, however, that a spray-on tan is much more consistent when applied by a professional (or even a booth at your local tanning salon). Try Dove’s Pro-Age Rich Body Butter or Burt's Bees Thoroughly Therapeutic Body Butter, and replenish moisture back into your legs.

Feet

Similar to your hands, your feet suffer during the winter season. And because sandals aren’t winter-friendly, it’s likely your regular trips to the nail salon have tapered off. Aside from the usual dryness that occurs in colder weather, many people suffer from foot conditions like palmoplantar keratoderma, psoriasis and contact dermatitis. As a result, prescription creams and ointments are much more effective than over-the-counter lotions. Treat yourself to regular pedicures, and if you’re only experiencing usual, winter-like symptoms (i.e. dryness, irritation, cracked skin), then try a foot cream like Gold Bond Foot Cream or Curel Targeted Therapy Deep-Penetrating Foot Cream.