Here are some tips to help keep dry winter skin at bay and looking its best. Use a mild facial cleanser. Dove and Basis are both good, non-drying choices. Switch to a richer facial moisturiser. Drier times call for more intense moisturisers. Avoid exfoliating. The dry air in many homes actually exfoliates skin. So you need to moisturise.

Apply moisturiser to damp skin after shower. Patting without wiping your body with a towel and slather on a rich cream. Pare down your shower schedule. Long, hot showers can rob your skin of much-needed moisture. To avoid this, shower as infrequently as possible — every other day if you feel comfortable. Also, keep showers short and opt for warm water over hot.

Run a humidifier in the bedroom. Letting a humidifier run while you sleep will help by putting moisture back into the air. Don’t skip the sunscreen. You cannot protect yourself enough from the sun so don’t be lulled into thinking that the rays aren’t reaching you in winter. Continue to apply sunscreen, or a moisturiser with sunscreen, daily.

Dry and cracking hands and feet are common in colder months. To treat hands, reduce the frequency of hand washing (which saps moisture from skin) and apply a hand cream. For feet, apply an antibiotic ointment, while feet are still damp after shower.

Skin really takes a beating from wind and cold and needs extra protection — for example, an active daily moisturising lotion with SPF 15. If you have dry skin, consider changing your moisturiser to one that heightens moisturisation.

For those with oily skin, not much change in regimen is necessary, unless you’re being exposed to harsh outdoor elements. Stay with a light moisturiser, preferably one with a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) whose gentle exfoliating properties lift away dull skin for a more radiant complexion. However, do not exfoliate with scrubs or masks as frequently as in warmer months.

As the area around the eyes can become dryer too, make sure they are receiving optimal moisturisation. Factor in individual skin type and geographic location when adapting your skincare regimen for winter. If your skin is dry, you’ll be more prone to suffering the effects of harsh weather.