Your beautiful skin needs extra care and pampering during late fall and winter months as it is exposed to the harsh conditions of the season. Freezing temperatures, cold wind, dry heated rooms - all are the major threats to fresh looking and supple skin.

The skin is more sensitive to cold than it is to heat. There are approximately thirty cold receptors per square inch of skin surface, and only six of those that feel heat. In response to low temperatures or cold wind, blood vessels shrink. With limited supply of nutrients and oxygen delivered by the blood flow, the skin becomes pale, dry and sluggish.

As if the outside conditions are not enough, dry air inside robs the skin of precious moisture. Dry skin is more vulnerable to injury and infection and prone to wrinkles and fine lines.

During this season, your skin needs a more gentle and caring approach with extra nourishment and protection. Cleanser that was fine during summer may feel too harsh in winter. Replace it with a milder one. Reduce scrubbing to the minimum. Good as they feel, long hot showers are not beneficial for winter skin as they strip the skin of its natural moisturizers.

To help your skin remain fresh and supple, use nourishing and stimulating masks. Face-lift treatments will help to stimulate blood flow to the skin surface, thus boosting the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the skin and flushing it of toxins. Nourishing masks will help to combat dryness and restore moisture content. Alternating these masks will be especially beneficial to make your skin look healthy and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Fall and winter are a good time to repair summer sun damage and even out your skin tone. With less sun exposure, you can use skin lightening treatments with even greater confidence and faster success.

Moisturizing becomes more important than ever, regardless of your skin type. Even oily skin needs a moisturizer to keep oil production at regular levels. If oily skin is left to fight dryness on its own, it will start producing more pore-clogging oils, creating problems for you.

Any basic moisturizer is able to provide protection against moisture loss. But look for those that include not only oils and waxes, but quality moisturizers as well: mucopolysaccharides, sphingolipids and liposomes. These are easily utilized by the skin and work with it instead of simply sitting on the skin surface. Other ingredients such as vitamins, essential oils, enzymes and especially coenzyme Q10, MSM, natural acids and herbal extracts will provide additional nourishing, brightening and age-fighting benefits.

Don't ignore the sun screen. Even though the days are shorter now, the sun is still in, and so is the sun protection.

As a general rule, remember to apply any kind of moisturizer at least 30-40 minutes before going outside. This time is necessary for the cream to absorb, otherwise the water contained in the cream will evaporate, leaving your skin cold and causing dryness.

About the author: Natalie Katsman is a co-founder of http://www.natural-aid.com where you can find fine quality aloe vera products for beauty and well-being and subscribe to HealthySkin Newsletter filled with beauty tips, recipes and information on herbal healing, skin care and cosmetic chemistry.