Shorter days, plummeting temperatures, and a sudden desire for hot chocolate can only mean one thing: winter is coming. Whether or not you’re a fan of the chilly weather, there’s no denying that harsh winter air can take a toll on your skin—especially if you’re already prone to dryness or irritation, like many men are. Thankfully, there are ways to counteract winter’s less-than-pleasant effects. It all comes down to having a proper skincare routine.

Here, we’ve compiled our top men’s skincare tips to adopt this winter. Whether you live in a frozen tundra (sorry about that) or enjoy a relatively mild winter, these tips for men can help keep your skin looking and feeling its best until spring arrives. Warm up with your favorite blanket—and of course, that hot chocolate—and read on for our top six men’s winter skincare tips.

Tip #1:

Moisturize Liberally and Often

Being proactive with your skincare routine is one of the best ways to help ward off winter dryness before it starts. If you’re not using a moisturizer already, it’s time to start. For your face, we recommend reaching for something made specifically for guys’ skin, such as Facial Fuel Daily Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men. The non-greasy formula is packed with skin-friendly ingredients—such as caffeine and vitamin C—and provides an energizing burst of moisture to help promote smooth, healthy-looking skin. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used morning and night as part of your regular skincare routine.

The skin around your eyes is super delicate and vulnerable to environmental stressors, so you’ll want to make sure you moisturize there, too. Use an eye cream, like Eye Fuel, to help keep the area hydrated and smooth. In addition to providing much-needed hydration, this men’s eye cream helps improve the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, leaving your eye area looking fresh and revived.

Lastly, treat your hands to some TLC with a rich hand cream, like Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. Upon application, this deeply hydrating cream with shea butter and avocado oil forms a glove-like protective barrier on your hands, helping to shield them from the drying effects of harsh weather. The unique formula also draws moisture from the air to help keep your hands soft and conditioned. We recommend keeping a tube at home and one in your car (or at the office), so you can give your skin nourishment wherever you are.

Tip #2:

Don’t Skimp On The SPF

While we often associate sunscreen with warmer weather, proper sun protection is essential year-round (yep, even when it’s snowing). During the daytime, swap your go-to face cream for a moisturizer with SPF. Try Facial Fuel Men’s SPF 20 Moisturizer, which has a similar formula to our classic Facial Fuel moisturizer but with added broad-spectrum protection to help keep your skin shielded from the sun’s damaging rays.

Tip #3:

Keep a Lip Balm On Hand At All Times

Cold winter winds and cracked, chapped lips, unfortunately, go hand-in-hand. Keeping a lip balm on hand to provide your lips with much-needed moisture can go a long way in helping to fend off dryness. Try Facial Fuel No-Shine Moisturizing Lip Balm, which is made specifically for men. The matte-finish formula with shea butter and squalane provides nourishment to help smooth and soften dry lips. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be reapplied throughout the day as often as you need to help keep your lips looking and feeling their best—no matter how cold it gets outside.

Tip #4:

Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate

If your skin is super-dry, you may notice it start to crack or flake, which can give you a dull, lackluster appearance. While exfoliating won’t necessarily help prevent winter dryness, it can help remove dead surface skin, which allows your moisturizers (see above) to penetrate more effectively.

Of course, you want to choose the right exfoliant for your skin—anything too harsh can do more damage than good. In the shower, smooth on a cream-based scrub, like Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish. The gentle yet effective formula exfoliates without over-drying, leaving your skin feeling smooth and supple. It’s suitable for all skin types (even sensitive skin) and can be used daily as part of your regular shower routine. Note that this is a body exfoliant—if you’re looking for something suitable for your face, check out our best men’s face scrubs here.

Tip #5:

Always Use Shaving Cream

We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: If you shave your facial hair, a good shaving cream (or gel) is a must. It’s especially crucial during the winter months, when your skin is already more vulnerable to dryness and irritation, as shaving improperly can exacerbate these concerns. After washing your face, lather up with a moisturizing shaving cream for a close, comfortable shave.

After rinsing off your shaving cream (with lukewarm water—hot water can dry out your skin), reach for a lightweight aftershave treatment. We recommend Ultimate Razor Burn & Bump Relief, which contains glycerin, aloe vera, and exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid. The unique formula moisturizes just-shaved skin to help soothe feelings of irritation for a comfortable, sting-free finish. It also helps improve your skin’s resiliency and improves the appearance of razor bumps and burn for a nourished, hydrated feel.

Next: No routine is complete without a gentle cleanser. Find your match in our article How To Find The Best Face Wash For Men.