Idaho winters are cold and dry, and every year I watch the same thing happen in our house. Somewhere around November, everyone starts scratching. Shins, hands, backs, the kids' cheeks.

Here's what we've learned helps.

Why winter makes skin itch

Cold air holds very little moisture. Then we go inside where the heat is running, which dries the air out even more. Your skin is constantly losing water to that dry air, and the protective oils on its surface can't keep up. Add a long, hot shower to warm up, and you've stripped away what little protection was left.

8 things that actually help

1. Take shorter, warmer showers

I know. The hot shower is the best part of a cold morning. But hot water strips oils fast. Go for warm, and keep it to 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Switch to a gentler cleanser

If your soap or body wash leaves you feeling tight or squeaky, it's taking too much. Choose something gentle, and save the lather for the areas that really need it.

3. Moisturize while your skin is still damp

This is the single biggest change. Within a few minutes of turning off the water, put on your moisturizer. It traps the water in your skin instead of letting it evaporate.

4. Use a thicker moisturizer in winter

Light lotions are great in summer. In winter, creams, butters and ointments hold up better. Look for ingredients like shea butter, glycerin or ceramides.

5. Run a humidifier

Especially in bedrooms. You spend 8 hours a night breathing that air, and your skin is sitting in it too. Keep it clean so it doesn't grow mold.

6. Wear soft layers

Wool can be scratchy on dry skin. Wear a soft cotton layer underneath, and wash clothes in a gentle, fragrance-free detergent if you're prone to itching.

7. Don't forget your hands

Hand washing is important, and it's also rough on skin. Keep a hand cream by every sink and put it on after you wash, especially before bed.

8. Don't scratch (easier said than done)

Scratching damages your skin and makes the itch worse. Try a cool compress or a dab of moisturizer instead. For kids, keep their nails short.

When it's more than dry skin

See a doctor or dermatologist if your skin is cracked or bleeding, if you see red, scaly patches that don't improve, if the itch keeps you up at night, or if nothing on this list helps after a couple of weeks. Eczema and other conditions often flare in winter and may need treatment.

For most of us, though, a few small changes are enough to get through to spring comfortably.

What we use in our house

The Routine

Goat’s-milk body bars with no SLS, plus a face bar and a shampoo bar. Handmade on our farm in small batches.

See the Routine →

Lauren Stewart makes Tyme Soap by hand on our family farm in Idaho, with milk from our own goats.