Cleansers, coffee and alcohol can all leave the skin dry and itchy. An expert in Dermatology suggests a few tips that can help you keep your skin soft and well-hydrated.

"As the temperature is low and the heater is on, the indoor air gets dehydrated and your skin loses moisture from the environment. Water always moves down-hill, even on a microscopic level, and when the level of moisture in the air drops due to the heating process, it practically sucks the water out of your skin," said Michelle Tarbox, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at Saint Louis University.

People who suffer from dermatitis (an itchy inflammation of the skin) can benefit from humidifiers that can reverse the process of dehydration, Tarbox added.

Tips to avoid dry skin:

  • Cleansers - Invest in good cleansers. Look for moisturizing ingredients like essential oils, jojoba oil, and shea butter oil. Often, harsh cleansers can leave skin dry and itchy.
  • Holiday drinks - Drinks high in alcohol and caffeine are popular during winters. However, these drinks can be bad for your skin.

"This is the opposite of what you want, because during winter you can already be dehydrated at baseline. You not only have to compensate for the heater being on and the internal air being dry, but also the water loss that you're having because of the beverages that you may be enjoying," said Tarbox.

Drinking a glass of water between two drinks containing alcohol or caffeine can help you reduce the intake. This has two benefits because not only will you be losing less water but also saving yourself from a hangover.

  • Moisturizers - Use products that contain ceramides, molecules that contain fatty acids. Opt for moisturizers that have jojoba oil or shea butter. When in doubt, go for the thicker moisturizer instead of the thinner one.