Cold, dry air, friction from heavy clothing, and indoor heating can turn your skin dry, itchy, and prone to cracks. To keep your skin from drying out, smooth on moisturizer—preferably with glycerin, fatty acids, ceramide, or cholesterol—after bathing, while your skin is damp. Reapply throughout the day, if necessary. Use a facial moisturizer or sunscreen with a sun-protection factor of at least 30, especially on sunny days spent out in the snow.

Read more about treating itchy skin, and if you think it's something more serious, see our Treatment Ratings for eczema and psoriasis (subscribers only).