Every winter it's the same deal. As the temperature drops, your skin gets increasingly drier and flakier, until you're contemplating hibernating until spring. Bears do it, how bad could it be?

OK, since camping out in a cave isn't exactly a viable option, it's time to make this year different. Which is why we decided to get to the root of this winter skin problem and take a look at the science of dry skin -- and the innovative ingredients that'll help you stay smooth and look well hydrated. Because wouldn't it be lovely to survive the season with a soft, supple face and body, and leave the hibernating to the bears?

Winter is basically a perfect storm for dryness. First, the air outside has less humidity. Then, the indoor air is heated (which also reduces humidity). Add in a little cold wind and your skin is on a path to serious dryness. Houston-based dermatologist Jennifer Peterson, MD, explains what all this does to our skin.

"Due to the drop in humidity, the skin is not able to retain as much water," she says. "We call this increased transepidermal water loss. As a result the skin becomes dry and is prone to cracks. Once the skin is dry and cracked it becomes more irritable, red, and itchy, and becomes prone to irritants such as soaps, wools, and other rough-textured clothing (which we like to wear in the winter), and fragrances."

Since the dry air makes our skin more prone than usual to irritation, it's no surprise we end up with red, flaky faces and bodies. Darrell Rigel, MD, a dermatologist in New York City, says there's another factor when it comes to flaky skin: "We tend to take hotter showers [in winter], which lead to a loss of moisture in our skin and eventually flaking, cracking, itching, and general discomfort."

Aside from taking shorter, cooler showers, there are a few other things we can do to best prep our skin during winter.

First up is cleansing correctly. In winter, switch to a creamier cleanser and skip harsh soaps, says Arielle Kauvar, MD, a dermatologist in Los Angeles. Basically you want to avoid anything that will cause irritation and strip your skin of what little moisture it still has.

However, while you definitely want to use a gentle cleanser, it's also important to thoroughly cleanse your skin and get rid of dead skin cells. If you don't, you're simply putting moisture on top of dead skin once you're out of the shower, and it won't be able to reach the healthy skin underneath. To gently, but deeply, cleanse your skin, try Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System, $119. It will help gently buff away the dead skin cells without causing irritation, and prep your skin so your moisturizer will absorb better.

Also, as soon as you're out of the shower -- and while your skin is still damp -- pat on moisturizer. This will help trap in that extra water and prevent your skin from drying out, says Brad Katchen, MD, a dermatologist in New York City.

As you probably know, not all moisturizers are created equal. That's why it's crucial to use the most hydrating ingredients possible in winter -- and to avoid any that will cause irritation. Here's a rundown:

Look for:
• Oils, like olive, coconut, or aloe vera, says Rigel, since they seal in moisture and can soothe the skin.
• Humectants, like dimethicone, glycerine, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid, says Kauvar, since these ingredients will draw water from the air into your skin.
• Moisturizers with ceramides, which is a fat naturally found in the top layers of your skin and helps retain the water in the skin, says Peterson.

Avoid:
• Moisturizers with added fragrance and essential oils (like peppermint or eucalyptus oils), says Katchen, since these can cause irritation in some people, especially if your skin is already dry and cracked.

Just like the right ingredients are crucial, the right application can also help you maintain soft, supple skin even in the coldest, harshest weather. The most important thing is to apply your moisturizer while your face and body are still damp. Peterson says to pat yourself dry but still leave a little water on the skin, then apply moisturizer within two minutes.

And if you need help with the skin around your eyes, try Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion System with Anti-Aging Sea Serum, $185. It uses a sonic device to infuse the skin with a hydrating serum to make skin look firmer and younger and feel refreshed.

Kauvar also suggests applying a heavy lotion before going out into cold, windy weather. If you overdo it and are feeling greasy, she says you can always pat off excess lotion with your bath towel before you get dressed.

Another important tip: Don't be afraid to reapply lotion throughout the day. Peterson says some of her patients apply moisturizer four to eight times a day. Keep a bottle of moisturizer on your desk and stash a travel-size version in your purse, she suggests.