The bedtime ritual with my young children always includes a mini-massage. Before they get into bed, I rub some moisturizer into any dry patches I find on their cute little, arms, legs and cheeks. Like many people in the winter, my children get very dry skin, which can be very uncomfortable for them (since it gets itchy and stings) and for me (since they're rough and scratchy instead of soft and smooth when I snuggle them).

Chances are you've noticed some rough patches on your skin during this time of year, when it's cold outside and the indoor heat keeps things dry inside. It probably doesn't help that a long, hot shower feels so good on a freezing cold morning. Dry skin, which can occur anywhere on the body, can cause itching, cracking, flaking, stinging and lead to flare-ups of related skin problems like eczema and psoriasis. So what should you do? And what should you avoid?

Apply your moisturizer regularly -- at least once a day -- to all your dry skin areas. Instead of a lotion, choose a cream, which is usually a thicker, better moisturizer.

Do bathe or shower every day since your skin will absorb moisture this way. But don't make the water too hot, remember to towel off gently when you're done and apply that moisturizer when your skin is still slightly damp (but not dripping).

Do use a humidifier at home, especially in your bedroom. There's a reason that dry skin tends to improve during a tropical vacation. If the air isn't so dry, your skin won't be either.

Buy creams with exfoliating ingredients such as lactic acid, glycolic acid and urea, which can help to smooth and soften the dry spots and roughness. And buy enough to keep your moisturizer handy when you're at home or out of the house. More frequent application can make a big difference, especially for hand creams -- these get washed off every time you rinse your hands.

Don't use harsh soap. Although a hot, soapy shower is appealing, it's not necessary to use soap over every inch of your body. Only use it on areas that really need it, and consider using only water, or a moisturizing body wash, everywhere else.

Don't drink gallons of water a day. Drink enough to stay hydrated. Any extra water that you drink will simply be eliminated by your body -- it won't seek out your dry skin.

And most important, don't get discouraged if things aren't better after one day -- your skin may need TLC for several days before it starts to improve. And don't expect improvement to last if you don't stick to your regimen. This is a maintenance kind of thing, akin to brushing your teeth and combing your hair. Finally, spring is really right around the corner, and most people find that their dry skin gets a lot better as the weather improves. You may soon be able to lighten up a little on your moisturizing regimen, and start paying more attention to sunscreen!