In the cooler winter months, your skin requires a little different attention than it might need in the summer.

“Hydration is one of the biggest concerns in the winter because of the temperature getting colder, as well as the humidity levels dropping,” says Licensed Medical Aesthetician Cheryl Staurowsky. However, there are several small changes you can make to your warm-weather skincare regimen to help your skin stay hydrated and healthy in the winter months, including these five she shared with us.

1. Switch to a Heavier Moisturizer

While a lightweight moisturizer might be enough to keep your skin smooth in the summer, it might not be enough to prevent dry skin, flaking, and itching caused by cooler winter air. Switch to a heavier moisturizing cream in the winter for added hydration. If you don’t want to use a heavy cream under makeup, you can simply add the heavier moisturizer to your nightly regimen.

2. Add Hyaluronic Acid to Your Regimen

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occuring sugar that is very effective at pulling in and retaining moisture, so adding a hyaluronic acid serum like PCA Skin’s HA Boosting Serum to your winter regimen can help your skin stay hydrated.

However, hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means that it will pull moisture away from your skin if there is no moisture available in the surrounding air. So pair this ingredient with an occlusive like beeswax or jojoba oil to create a barrier between your skin and the environment so that vital moisture cannot escape.

3. Use Lip Balm

The thin, delicate skin on your lips is an easy target for the colder weather, wind, and drier air in the winter. To prevent dryness, chapping, and cracking, apply a moisturizing lip balm when you go outside. Even better yet, choose a lip balm that contains SPF to keep your lips protected from the sun.

4. Moisturize the Backs of Your Hands

In addition to your lips, the backs of your hands can easily suffer from dryness and cracking in the winter. Apply a heavy moisturizing cream to the backs of your hands daily or as frequently as needed to keep them supple and soft. Wear gloves when outdoors to protect them from the dry air and wind.

5. Wear Sunscreen

You may not realize that the sun’s UV rays can still reach and damage your skin in the winter, even if it is snowing, raining, or overcast. In fact, if you live in a snowy climate, the sun’s rays can reflect off of snow, making them even stronger when they reach your skin. Therefore, it is important to wear daily SPF all year-round, even in the winter.