7 Winter Skincare Tips That Will Keep You Looking Fresh Until Spring

You pile on clothes in the winter — do the same with skincare products. Applying a face serum under your lotion, cream and/or sunscreen both A.M. and P.M. can diminish lines and pores plus firm and brighten, says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

GH Lab picks:

Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum ($42, amazon.com)

Skinceuticals Metacell Renewal ($90, amazon.com)

Seal holder No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum ($28, amazon.com)

Oil on your face doesn't seem so slick?! Au contraire! The Beauty Lab found that face oils can plump, firm, enhance radiance and reduce the look of lines. Aren't a fan of the grease? Mix a drop of face oil into a dab of your go-to cream for a boost.

GH Lab picks:

Seal holder Olay Regenerist Luminous Facial Oil ($17, amazon.com)

La Prairie Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Dry Oil ($200, amazon.com)

The last thing raw, dehydrated skin needs is a harsh face peel or scrub, which can worsen irritation. If you notice flaking or redness, switch to gentler formulas with lactic acid, fruit acids or round jojoba beads, applying no more than once per week. Avoid stronger acids like glycolic acid and rougher exfoliants like sugar and salt.

GH Lab pick: Garnier Clean+ Invigorating Daily Scrub ($6, amazon.com)

When you moisturize your face before bed, don't forget your lips. Smooth on a rich balm with a combo of natural oils and waxes nightly to fend off flakes and chapping.

GH Lab pick: Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 ($7, kiehls.com)

Dab an occlusive (read: moisture-locking) ointment over drier areas like eyes and cheeks to seal in products at night.

GH Lab pick: Seal holder Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment ($12, amazon.com)

Apply moisturizing body cream to your feet before you slip on socks to soften them all day.

GH Lab pick: Curél Ultra Healing Intensive Lotion for Extra-Dry Skin ($8, amazon.com)

Astringents, often made with alcohol to absorb oil, are best for balmier months when you're more sweat-prone, because they can exacerbate dryness, says Dr. Zeichner. Can't pass up that refreshing toner feeling? Try spritzing on an alcohol-free face mist with hydrating ingredients such as natural oils and glycerin, like Ole Henriksen Nurture Me Facial Water. ($40, amazon.com)

Or, make your own by shaking 2 cups water with 10 drops soothing chamomile essential oil in a small spray bottle, says Samantha Cooper, spa director at Canyon Ranch Lenox.

Foaming and gel face washes can leave skin squeaky-clean, but also parched due to their stronger cleansing ingredients. Trade them for cleansing balms. The rich, waterless formulas based on butters (like shea) and plant oils soften skin as they wash and double as makeup remover.

Our beauty director's picks:

Botanics Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm ($15, amazon.com)

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup 3-in-1 Makeup Melting Balm ($29, amazon.com)

This story originally appeared in the January 2017 issue of Good Housekeeping.