For most of us, winter is a time to sob and shake our fists angrily at the sky while we douse our faces in so much mist it looks like a tsunami happened.

…no? Just me?

Just kidding. Honestly though, I know a lot of us have a hard time transitioning from summer routines to winter routines, especially when you live somewhere where the weather is unpredictable (I’m looking at you, North Carolina.).

While I can’t recommend specific products for you, I can give you a few helpful tips and tricks to help your skin from feeling dull and dry all winter long.

Swap Your Face Wash

You should already be using a low pH cleanser, but as the season changes, so should your face wash. In general, it’s really helpful to switch from a foaming cleanser to a non-foaming gel or cream. The foaming agents in almost any face wash can contribute to your skin feeling tight or thirsty, but the ingredients in cream and gel cleansers tend to be a bit more nourishing.

If you’re someone who wears light makeup or no makeup, you can even get away with simply using a micellar water in place of a normal face wash. Micellar waters are formulated to be gentle, so there’s less chance of stripping your skin of moisture.

Layer Like That Kid From A Christmas Story

Layer your skincare, that is. Winter usually means that the air is cold and dry, which will suck any existing life and moisture out of your skin. Even if your skin is naturally oily, you should still add some extra layers.

My skin is naturally oily, acne prone and also gets dehydrated really easily, so I mix light oils in with gel creams and hydrating serums to get as much moisture on my face as possible without clogging my pores. I also make an effort to sheet mask twice a day as many days as I can manage it. More sheet masks can make a HUGE difference in the state of your skin.

Pro tip: Mist your face like your life depends upon it. Because it very well might.

This might also be a good time to switch to a hydrating primer and setting spray if you use those kinds of things. NYX’s Honey Dew Me Up and the hydrating version of Pony’s Ultimate Prep Primer have saved my sad winter skin more times than I can count.

Don’t Skip the Sunscreen

Yes, yes it’s tempting to tell yourself that it’s cloudy or too cold or going to be dark soon, but you should know by now that these are all lies.

Search your heart, friends. You know there is no escaping the sunscreen. Don’t fight it.

Seriously though, even if you’re not outside as much, or it’s overcast or getting dark super early, you still need SPF. In fact, you can use your sunscreen as an added layer of skincare goodness and kill two birds with one stone.

When it’s hot, I opt for super mattifying sun milks to keep the sweat glow in check. In the winter, however, I usually ask my dry-skinned friends for their favorite sunscreen recommendations. Switching to a moisturizing sunscreen helps my skin stay glowy (re: actually glowy) and keeps my makeup from getting cakey or patchy when the weather is bitterly cold and windy.

Bonus Tip

I forget where I learned this trick, but this is perfect for those of you who hate wearing cold sheet masks in the winter.

To warm up your sheet mask, you can either stick it underneath your laptop for a few minutes or, if you’re ultra lazy like me, stick it between your thighs for a little while and let your natural body heat warm up the packet.

Silicone mask covers are also great for sealing in the warmth, though I personally can’t stand looking like Odo from Deep Space Nine.

Tell me what you think!

I’m always looking for new and better ways to make my skin glow like a kdrama star, so let me know what your best winter skin hacks are below!