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You may not be ready to admit it, but colder and dryer weather is just around the corner. So we want to know, is preparing your skin on your winter checklist? You may be thinking about pulling out extra blankets or swapping tank tops for sweaters, but what does your skin need to handle the seasonal change?

When the humidity and temperatures drop, following the same skincare routine year round may not work as well. Without changing your skincare, fine lines and wrinkles can become more noticeable and dry skin can itch, flake, crack and even bleed (thank you dry air). Triggered by cold and dry air, some chronic conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and keratosis pilaris can worsen in the winter.

How to Winterize for Your Skin

Therefore, we sat down with a few dermatologists to get their best tips on prepping your skin for winter. See our top changes to make:

Add moisture to the air.

This one is quite easy. Well, as easy as plugging in a humidifier (or buying one). You can also check your home heating system to find out if you have a humidifier on the system — and whether it's working.

Switch your moisturizer.

While lightweight lotions may be more suited to the summer months, ointments and creams are more effective and less irritating for winter care. Bonus tip: look for a cream or ointment that contains olive oil, jojoba oil, or shea butter to help soothe dry skin.

Change your shower habits.

In the winter, the best shower to take is under 10 minutes in warm (not hot) water. Once you're done, gently blot your skin dry with a towel instead of rubbing your skin.

Apply moisturizer after washing.

Speaking of showers, you should be sure to apply your moisturizer while your skin is still a little damp after washing. This applies for after baths or showers, as well as just washing your hands. Bonus tip: keep a bottle of moisturizer by your hand soap so it's easier to remember to apply.

Wear soft fabrics that breathe.

A great fall/winter fabric to wear is 100% cotton. If you want to wear wool and other rough fabrics, wear a soft fabric underneath.

Protect your hair.

It may sound silly, but dry air and freezing temperatures can damage your hair too. The easiest way to protect your hair is to wear a hat – pick one to up your style or just to keep warm. Either way, your hair will thank you. Also, try going natural (don't use the hair dryer or heat style your hair) a few times a week.

Get a Personalized Skincare Plan

There you have it. Super simple ways to help protect your skin once the weather changes. If you want to speak to a board-certified dermatologist and receive a personalized care plan, start a visit at DermatologistOnCall.com. Our doctors are ready 24/7 to treat patients online – without having to come into the office.