Winter can be harsh, especially on your skin. Many people don’t understand why their skin undergoes drastic changes during the colder months of the year. For one, there’s less moisture, which makes your skin feel dry and irritated. When you turn your heat on, you also dry out your skin since the air indoors has less moisture.

Luckily, a little extra effort can help your skin flourish during the winter months. Here’s a list of tips to maintain healthy skin in the cold.

1. Drink more water.

Keeping your body hydrated from the inside and out is essential for healthy skin. Therefore, you can replace some of the lost moisture by increasing your water intake. Water hydrates your skin, so when your skin feels a bit dry, grab a cup, and drink up.

2. Invest in a hydrating cleanser.

In warmer months, your body naturally has more oil. When it gets cold outside, you remove more natural oil when you use your warm temperature cleansers. So, it’s best to invest in a hydrating face wash for your skin to restore moisture. Since your face is often exposed when you go outside, you should use a hydrating face cleanser during winter.

In colder months, avoid drying agents like glycolic and salicylic acid. Also, be sure to use toner and moisturizer immediately following your facial cleanser to seal in moisture. Be sure to use an oil-based moisturizer.

To make sure you retain as many of your natural oils as possible, avoid excess showering and washing. Taking more prolonged, more frequent baths or showers leaves your skin dry and brittle. Instead, bathe when necessary and pat yourself dry—patting dry leaves your skin a bit damp, which is better when you apply oil.

3. Add moisture to your home.

When you turn the heat on to warm your home, you’re also drying up the indoor moisture. Since you spend lots of time in the house, you’ll need to replace the moisture to maintain healthy skin. Using a humidifier is a great way to distribute moisture indoors.

If you don’t have a humidifier, there are alternatives. For instance, you can boil water on the stove. The steam that escapes the pot will replace the moisture lost from the heat. You can also leave your bathroom door open as the shower runs. If you’re getting into the shower, turn your water up high enough to create steam without burning your skin.

4. Wear sunscreen.

Despite popular belief, sunscreen should be worn year-round. Since the sun can still penetrate your skin during the winter months, you’ll need to apply SPF throughout the day, especially when combined with wind and snow. Healthcare experts recommend using an SPF of at least 30 during the winter months.

5. Handle pre-existing skin conditions with extra care.

Winter weather conditions wreak havoc on people with relatively healthy skin. So, when people with pre-existing skin conditions enter the colder months, they must take special care of their skin. In addition to the previously mentioned tips, be sure to remove wet clothing and wear layers for less exposure to harsh conditions. These minimize the chances of experiencing a flareup.

You don’t have to suffer from problematic winter skin. Instead, utilize these tips and keep your skin moisturized. For severe skin conditions, speak to your dermatologist for solutions.