Cold-Weather Skin Care

"The surface skin can get very dry because of the elements, though heavier moisturizer can lead to breakouts," Marshall says. "A rejuvenating mask is cooling, soothing; it calms and removes redness for oily skin with large pores. Night conditioner brings skin back to a state of balance."

Escaping the Cold

Heading for a more temperate climate is appealing, but it may not solve all seasonal skin situations.

Flying is notoriously dehydrating, and going from cold to warm temperatures causes capillaries to contract and dilate, creating more sensitivity, Guichon-Lindholm points out.

Besides drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated from within, Chin shares another in-flight tip: "An instant hydrating mask is great for long flights. I call it the 'lazy mask.' Once you put it on, you don't have to remove it. It's milky, fresh and colorless. You could put makeup over it, and use it under sunscreen, too."

And once you arrive at your destination, switch to daily skin-care products that are appropriate for the climate.

Professional Help

It's easy to gravitate toward a sedentary lifestyle during the winter, leading to sluggish circulation, which can manifest itself in dull skin. Acupuncture, facials and relaxing in a sauna are helpful tools in keeping the blood flowing.

Or try acupuncture facials, which bring a glow to weather-troubled skin by stimulating the circulation and adjusting imbalances that keep the skin from looking its best, says Dr. Kim Tsao, the director of Acumed Medical Care PLLC in New York City. "It works internally, not externally," she says.

During the hourlong process, the client reclines in a darkened room as a dozen or more ultra-fine needles are inserted into facial acupoints; the needles' impact can be boosted with electronic stimulation.

Tsao positions a heat lamp above the face, and urges clients to take a nap as she leaves the room. While the vibrating needles initially feel energizing, rather than relaxing, many clients admit to eventually drifting off to dreamland.

Acupuncture facials also address acne problems through treating the conditions causing the breakouts: Lack of sleep triggers breakouts on the forehead, digestive problems leave their mark on the cheeks, and hormone imbalances lead to chin blemishes, Tsao says.