Chilly temperatures are right around the corner and trust me, your skin is not looking forward to it. Your skin is getting a well-deserved break from the harsh summer sun but the fall and winter bring a whole new set of troubles.

It may seem like something you can just ignore it but it is really not. Your skin wants extra attention in the colder months and you need to listen.

During the summer, the humidity is high, which means there is a lot of moisture in the air. This moisture is good for your skin. In the fall and winter, the humidity basically disappears, leaving the air dry and your skin even drier. Your skin becomes flaky, red, tight, cracked, and rough.

Rachel Krawsek, a senior Digital Cinema and Filmmaking major, has noticed these changes.

“My skin definitely gets drier and rougher so I have to change my skin routine around a little bit,” Krawsek said. “Basically, I just find myself applying more lotion and moisturizer.”

Moisturizer is the simple solution to your cold weather skin problems. If you aren’t already moisturizing, why in the world not? You should be using a moisturizer in the morning, specifically one with some type of SPF in it. My recommendation: Cetaphil Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15.

You can buy it at any drugstore for around $12. You should also be using a moisturizer at night because your skin can become very dehydrated. During the fall and winter, central heating is most likely on the inside.

This type of heat is dry and lacks moisture, which our skin desperately wants, and can damage its natural protective barrier. Adding a heavier moisturizer, without SPF, into your routine will do wonders for your skin. My recommendation: CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM. You can buy this at any drugstore for around $14.

Hot showers may not be the best thing for your skin during the colder months. The heat can actually dissolve your skin’s natural protective barrier, leaving your skin even drier than it was before. Taking warm showers is a safer bet. Moisturizing after your shower wouldn’t hurt either. This doesn’t just apply for the facial area, moisturizing your entire body during the fall and winter months is a necessity.

Another area to pay extra attention to is the skin around your eyes. The skin there is very thin, which makes it an easy target for chilly temperatures. It can increase visibility in fines lines and premature wrinkles. No one wants that. Using an eye cream overnight will work wonders for the skin. My recommendation: Garnier Ultra Lift Miracle Sleeping Eye Cream. You can buy it at any drugstore for around $15.

Keep in mind: a well-balanced diet, at least eight hours of sleep and daily exercise also promote healthy skin all year round.

The products mentioned in this article can also be found online at Amazon.