It can seem feasible to skip exfoliation in winter, in the mistaken belief that it will further dry out the skin. On the contrary, gentle exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and flaky patches, while also helping your moisturizer absorb better. What you need to avoid is over-exfoliation, which can disrupt the skin's outermost layers, leading to dryness and irritation. Opt for a gentle exfoliator such as Neutrogena Hydro Boost Daily Gel Cream Exfoliating Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid once a week.