Winter has a lovely way of wreaking havoc on our skin. Cold, harsh winds can irritate our faces, while low humidity strips skin of its natural moisture. Add indoor heating to the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for dry, patchy, and uncomfortable skin, with excess dead cells that can clog pores and lead to acne.

Not fun.

You could choose to live in an icebox, shell out wads of money on fancy moisturizers, and cover your face with a ski mask every time you leave the house — or you could try a more holistic approach.

Acupuncture for dry skin has shown itself to be a miracle worker when it comes to healthy skincare. Facial acupuncture might seem a bit scary if you’ve never done it before, but the wealth of benefits make it worth a try. (And we challenge you not to love it once you have.)

When micro-thin acupuncture needles are put into the skin, they stimulate the secretion of the sweat and sebaceous glands, which encourages the regeneration of healthy cells. This causes the outer layers of the skin to get rehydrated, while increased circulation leads to better distribution of oxygen and nutrients. Increased oxygen speeds up the release of nitrogen and carbon dioxide, which helps to deep clean and exfoliate the skin. All in all, your skin becomes softer, brighter, and healthier.

A 1996 study published in the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture found that, out of 300 participants who were treated with facial acupuncture, 90 percent saw marked results after just two sessions. Not only did they see improvements in texture and hydration, but many also had increased elasticity and a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.

A visit to a qualified acupuncturist involves addressing your overall health, not just the issue you’re looking to solve. Getting acupuncture to treat dull and dry skin will likely have other benefits as well, including lower anxiety, reduced depression, better digestion, and improved sleep — all of which play a major role in the health of your skin.