During the winter, your skin, hair, and the chemistry in your body starts to change into full-on hibernation mode. You probably noticed your face get dry, your follicles begin to break, and you may start to put on weight. It’s essential to maintain your overall health and body during this time, so you keep in tip-top shape before the summer. Here are some tips on how to do that.

Continue to Workout or Workout More!

The greatest thing about working out in the winter is that it’s more comfortable and less hot, but that can also mean you shed fewer pounds because you don’t sweat as much. You may need to workout 5-10 minutes longer to sweat as much as you used to during the summer months, but don’t forget to pay attention to the scent and amount you’re sweating!

While sweat doesn’t necessarily smell, it can start to if you eat the wrong foods or specific bacteria starts to break down in your body. If your traditional deodorant doesn’t mask the smell, you can reach for hyperhidrosis medication over the counter for excess sweaters.

Shower Only Sometimes

After telling you to workout a lot, it sounds counterproductive to shower as little as possible, but if you can get away with it, do it! Whether it’s hot or cold, excess water will dry out your skin and damage hair follicles, which makes it necessary to layer on the hair masks and creams. It’s better to let those natural oils do their job, so stay out of the shower for at least a day. You may also want to consider taking colder showers when it becomes warm enough.

If you’re worried about the smell, you can clean underneath your armpits and other areas and add perfume to problem spots. Add dry shampoo to your hair and use chapstick to keep your lips hydrated. If possible, keep the water on the cold side because it helps slightly.

Use a Humidifier and Drink Water

If you live in a dry climate and you crank the heat in your home, you’ve probably noticed how dry the air is. Your skin may start to itch, and you may have more dandruff than usual, but you can fix this problem by placing a humidifier in your home. It’s recommended that you put one humidifier in your bedroom and another in the room you spend the most time in.

While you’re getting more moisture in your skin, you should also up your water intake. Even though you don’t get as hot as you usually would in the summer, you should still prioritize how much water you drink so your skin stays fresh throughout the winter.

Exfoliate Your Skin

Taking off dull and dead skin cells promotes new cells to grow that look fresher and cleaner. If you shave your legs or other parts of your body, you’re already doing some form of exfoliation. For any body parts that you don’t shave, purchase a natural exfoliator that doesn’t use plastic beads. Sand like particles are best because they’re biodegradable and softer on the skin.

Just be careful not to scrub your face too hard, or you could do more harm than good. Mix your powdered exfoliator with soap and water and form circles with your fingers on your cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead. Wash off the excess with water.

Stay Moisturized

Instead of treating moisturizer as a last-ditch effort to add hydration to your skin, make it a routine for the morning and evening. You should put moisturizer on your skin year-round, but it becomes more critical during the winter months. Add under eye cream, anti-aging cream, and toner for a more dramatic effect on your overall looks.

Try to stick towards products that use natural ingredients because they’re less likely to cause an allergic reaction on your skin. Pick skincare products that are light on the skin and make your face feel soft rather than sticky or oily.