Yogurt: Food for Your Skin and Hair

If you have dry skin, try using yogurt for your nightly cleansing. Use the full-fat, Greek style--the milk fat and lactic acid will do wonders for your skin. By the way, it also makes a great hair conditioner: Comb through hair, put on a plastic cap for an hour or so, then shampoo. The cost is low, and you're not putting chemicals on your body. Oh, and this yogurt tastes great, too!

Cold-Weather Skin Care

Most of us don't need to scrub ourselves every time we shower during the dry, cold winter months; doing so only exacerbates dry skin, causing itching and other problems. Don't skip the shower, but try using a washcloth or loofah and just water on your arms and legs, saving the soapy scrubbing for the parts that really need it (you know what they are). This will effectively exfoliate your skin without stripping it of natural oils. You'll use less water, less moisturizer and save time, as well!

Fighting Dry Skin, Naturally

If winter makes your face dry and tight, try a tip I read recently in Prevention Magazine.
Clean your face before bed, and apply a moisturizer. In the morning, splash cool water on your face, but don't use any cleanser. I've been doing this for a few weeks and it has made a big difference in my skin's texture.

Also, if you use a cleanser that you wipe off with tissues, try using olive or safflower oil instead. You'll save money, apply fewer cosmetic additives to your skin, and cut down on the number of bottles on your bathroom vanity!