10 ways to Beat dry skin.

6 Hold on to hydration.

Hold on to hydration. Many of the most effective moisturizing ingredients work because they seal existing water into the skin -- so give them something to work with. Slick the lotion or cream over damp skin, just after you get out of the bath or shower. "Studies show that if you apply a moisturizer within five minutes of bathing, you lock in additional moisture," Fein says. Baumann adds her own nourishing twist to this advice: "I apply Johnson's Baby Oil to my skin with a wet washcloth while still in the shower. Then I pat my skin dry and layer cream over the oil."

7 Take it inside.

Take it inside. Just because you've heard something 100 times doesn't mean it's true. You can't hydrate skin by drinking more water. That said, some experts believe other oral treatments can treat stubborn dry skin. "No matter how much grease they put on their bodies, some of my patients can't heal their dry skin -- you have to think internally, too," says Howard Murad, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at UCLA. To help skin cell walls attract and retain moisture, he tells patients to boost their consumption of lecithin (which comprises the cell membrane and is found in spinach, eggs, and soy) and essential fatty acids (EFAs), which make up the skin's lipid barrier. Rich sources of EFAs include flaxseed and evening primrose oils, as well as fish such as salmon and mackerel. And borage-seed oil may be especially promising: In a German study, elderly patients who ingested the oil suffered from significantly less itchiness and epidermal water loss. Ask your dermatologist about proper dosage.

8 Wear protective gear.

Wind can do more damage than make your hair tangle and your eyes tear up. "It removes surface lipids from the skin, resulting in water loss to the outer layers," Lupo says. "That's when those layers can become inflamed and chapped." So in addition to bundling up in your puffy coat and knit hat, cover other exposed areas, advises Lupo, who wears an emollient lip balm and wraps a silk scarf around her mouth and nose.

9 Sleep on it.