Synthetic and plant-based ceramides are similar in structure to ceramides found in the skin, explains Dr. Peterson Pierre, a dermatologist with the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Westlake Village, California.

While synthetic ceramides are probably more common, phytoceramides have been recently gaining popularity as a skin care ingredient due to their supposed anti-aging powers.

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It’s probably a safe bet to say your hands are feeling drier than normal these days. All that hand washing you’ve been doing can do a serious number on your hands’ delicate skin, not to mention the impacts of dry, cool weather.

“The most common thing that can dry out your hands is frequent hand washing,” says dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre. “The constant wet-dry cycle of frequent hand washing can really strip the skin of its natural moisture and disrupt the protective barrier.”

That’s why Pierre says it’s important to follow up every handwashing session with a generous application of hand cream. The good news is, you can find a high-quality hand cream right at the drugstore, meaning you don’t have to shell out much money to keep your hands soft and smooth. “You want a product that focuses on replenishing moisture with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, shea butter, coconut oil, and glycerin,” says Dr. Pierre. “Equally important are ingredients that help repair the moisture barrier, such as ceramides, squalane, and essential fatty acids.”

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And yes, you should definitely stock up on your favorite lip balm — but board-certified dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre, MD also explains that lip scrubs will come in clutch. “Sometimes, simply moisturizing the lips isn’t enough,” says Dr. Pierre. “You may need to use a lip scrub to not only get rid of the dead skin cells, but to also promote better hydration of the lips, and to increase the absorption of other products.”

A couple tips: Dr. Pierre advises selecting a gentle formula to minimize irritation. You’ll also want to stick to using it once a week for the same reason. And be sure to follow up with moisturizing lip products afterwards, he adds — they’ll keep your lips looking and feeling their best.

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