Get ready to prepare your skin for the battle of dry heat, cold wind, and freezing temperatures by arming yourself with an arsenal of moisturizers and quality skincare products.

For many people, winter is the worst time for their skin. Hands can become raw and painful, the face wind-beaten and dry. The heat that we need to keep warm can be our skin’s worst enemy, sucking the moisture away and leaving us with red, dry skin.

And the best defense against this all-out assault on your skin is high-quality moisturizers that can not only protect your skin against winter damage, but which can ultimately make your skin healthier throughout the year.
Here are a few tips to keep your skin beautiful in the cold months:

—Look for products that contain quality botanicals, moisturizers, glycolics and hydrants. These types of products work better for winter skin because they actually keep the moisture in and tend to keep your skin softer, longer. Expect to use more moisturizer in the winter months—you’ll need it.

—Give special attention to your hands, because they contain less natural oil than other parts of your body. Anyone who has suffered from red, raw hands in the winter already knows this. With all the hand-washing going on, you should always keep a bottle of good-quality hand-moisturizer by the sink to replace the oils hand-washing removes. And don’t forget to bring a bottle with you to work.

—Don’t forget the sunscreen. The harmful UV rays can be just as damaging in the winter months as the summer.

—Don’t forget your feet. Like your hands, your feet can also become drier in the winter months. Feet love lotions with exfoliates in them.

—When you do your facial (as you should), switch to products that hydrate rather than those that remove oils, such as clay-based facials.

—Stay away from the heat and ramp up the humidity. Humidifiers are one way to keep moisture in the air and your skin will thank you. Those hot showers and long, hot baths will also do more harm than good in the winter months. Keep the water warm, instead, and resist the temptation to warm up after being outside with a super hot shower.