At no time of the year do you need naturally effective means to prevent dry and itchy skin than during winter. A good moisturizer and drinking lots of water can ward off flaky, tight and rough skin.

But in case you need more preventive measures, try the following tips:

- Hot water dries skin even more, so always rinse with cool or tepid water and minimize your rinse time.

- Exfoliate regularly with a washcloth or gentle scrub to get rid of dead cells that block moisturizer from reaching the healthy skin underneath.

- Use thick lotions or dry skin formulas – it’s best to avoid products containing drying agents, such as alcohol, clay and glycerin.

- Maximize your moisturizer with some massage and using an upward, circular motion to lightly massage the moisturizer into your skin. For oily skin, avoid prolonged massage that stimulates the oil glands, understandably causing excessive oiliness.