This time of year is notoriously tough on our skin. And even though our heads are often covered with caps and hats most of the time outdoors, the scalp can still suffer. Dry, irritated skin on your scalp leads to itching and flaking. Not to mention stress and a lack of sleep (how are you doing on those lately?) tend to kick dandruff into high gear. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 50 million Americans deal with dandruff year-round, but it's made worse by air pollution and extreme weather. “People often think that they have ‘a dry scalp,’ when in fact it's dandruff,” says Dr. Angela Lamb, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital. “At the first sign of dandruff, do not be in denial.” The flaking skin is actually your scalp's overreaction to yeast or fungus that occurs naturally on the body. Which means it's not something that can be fixed by drinking more water or using extra conditioner. Here are the best ways to get your balance under control and stop the skin from drying and flaking off.