Dr. Eliot Mostow has been a pharmacist for eight years. He said that although dry winter skin is easy to treat, it is a very common problem.

"One reason people experience dry skin in the winter time is due to a constant change of environment," Mostow said. "We tend to go from a cold environment to warmer areas like homes and schools. This leads to the drying out and eventually cracking of skin."

But just as dry skin is a common problem, the solutions are also quite simple.

"The three things I tell people are: Use less soap, lower shower temperature, and put on a moisturizer," Mostow said.

"I haven't used soap for years. The only times I use soap are under my arms or in my groin area."

Mostow said if the skin is moderately dry, soap just dries it out more.

Lowering the shower temperature is another crucial step in avoiding dry skin. Mostow used the example of washing a skillet after frying an omelet, to demonstrate how water can affect the condition of one's skin.

"Imagine you have this skillet and you run it under cold water," Mostow said. "Most likely the grease won't budge.Now take this same skillet and run it under warm water you'll loose a little of the grease. But if you take that skillet and run it under hot water, you'll wash away any site of the grease especially if you're using a cleanser with it."

The most important step comes after the shower. Mostow said a moisturizer should be applied before the skin is completely dry.

"In terms of a moisturizer, something you scoop out of a jar is better than something you pump out of a bottle," Mostow said. "Lotion and things like that tend to be more watery."

Mostow said to look for a moisturizer that contains lactic acids or alpha-hydroxy acids. Another ingredient to look for is urea.

A sales representative at the Clinique counter in Kaufmann's recommended Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion for people of all skin types. A 4-ounce bottle costs $19.50.

Junior Dorothy Aaron has found a solution for treating her dry winter skin at a low cost.

"I found a wonderful lotion at the Dollar Mart," Aaron said. "It's called F&M Dry Skin Moisturizing Lotion and it's really good. If you put it on in the morning, you will still feel it at 5 o'clock."

Not only is the price appealing but it's fragrance free. Mostow said that was important for people with sensitive skin.

The two products Mostow recommended were Neutrogena and SBR Lypo-cream.