Now Foods Sweet Almond Oil $2 at Whole Foods, Acure Organics Facial Argan Oil $14 at Whole Foods, NUDE Skincare ProGenius Treatment Oil $78 sephora.com

Think of your face like an engine: the most important mechanism of your vehicle requires routine maintenance just as the largest organ of the human body does. And, just like an engine, a face can only go unchecked for so long before it leaves you stranded and alone. In the coming winter months maintaining a healthy face is crucial to one invaluable component of car maintenance: lubrication. Just as an engine requires high quality oil, so does a face. In winter the human body is prone to dehydration; in attempt to warm itself against the cold the body depletes its water stores to maintain homeostasis. The lack of moisture in the air along with cold wind strips moisture from the epidermis, leaving skin itchy and flaky. The solution to dry skin has as much to do with how you moisturize your face as it does with how you internally moisturize your body.

Contrary to past popular belief, oils are good for your skin especially those with oily skin. In states with low humidity like Colorado, your regular cream/lotion moisturizer might not do the trick. And for those with oily/combination skin, those cream bases could inflame acne. The kitchen sink recipe of most moisturizers includes pore clogging humectants and emulsifiers, like waxes and petroleum. If your not in the mood to sift through medical language to determine what is and isn’t good on the product label, stick with those products that are simple and natural; the fewer ingredients the better.

Lab Series for Men Max LS Overnight Renewal Serum $60 labseries.com, Kate Somerville HydraKate Line Release Facial Serum $150 sephora.com, Sponge Ladi Avokanto $60 sephora.com

Natural oils like argan, sweet almond, and jojoba balance oily skin and help retain moisture in the epidermis.

These oils also contain a considerable amount of Vitamin E, an important antioxidant in the fight against aging, essential fatty acids and proteins. Use a few drops of natural oil, like Acure Organics Argan Oil, after cleansing to moisturize or in combination with a serum.

Serums are a great compliment to moisturizing with pure oils or as an addition to your regular moisturizer for added nourishment and anti-aging benefits. Look for serums with hyaluronic acid, which holds a 1000 times its weight in water, and squalane a botanical lipid similar in molecular structure to human skin lipids. Go for Sponge Ladi Avokanto, a Greek serum made with avocado oil for maximum hydration or HydraKate Line Release Face Serum for wrinkle control.

Test out products at your local Sephora to determine what treatment will be best for you. If you’re still flaking, itchy or red from the cold after a treatment it’s not doing its job. Remember to stay hydrated throughout the day and to get those Omega fatty acids. Drinking plenty of water with Omega rich foods like fish and nuts will help nourish your skin from the inside out.