Welcome to winter! It’s cold, it’s harsh and, if you’re not careful, it’ll wreak havoc on your skin. This isn’t an exaggeration: plummeting temperatures combined with arid central heating can strip your dermis of moisture faster than you can say hyaluronic acid. If you’re currently scratching your head (and struggling to pronounce hyaluronic acid), then you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a crash course in winter skincare to get you up to speed.

A good moisturiser is your first line of defence in winter, replenishing your skin’s hydration levels in the morning and at night. If you’re used to lighter lotions during the warmer months, consider stepping things up a notch with a more intense formulation, such as this one from Augustinus Bader. Developed by its professor founder of the same name, the label’s signature concoction – pragmatically dubbed “The Cream” – is available in two distinct weights: normal and rich. The latter is fortified with a trio of cold-weather-combating ingredients, including argan, avocado and evening primrose oil, as well as the brand’s patented TFC8®, a potent blend of amino acids, omega-6 fatty acids and a wealth of vitamins, devised to mimic and promote cell renewal.

Despite the plethora of hard-to-pronounce, multi-syllabic skincare ingredients, it’s plain old oil that still generates the most controversy. Particularly among men, who, after all, are more prone to have so-called greasy skin, a side effect of elevated sebum production post-puberty. The most obvious ramification of excess oil is clogged pores resulting in acne, but those who fear revisiting their teenage selves should know that the situation is a tad more complicated than that. Your skin loves oil – it’s a natural moisturiser, improves skin elasticity and fights the signs of ageing. Oils are also lipophilic, which, without getting too technical, means they create a protective water-resistant barrier, locking in moisture to keep skin hydrated and healthy looking. That is not to say that all oils are created equal and finding the one that’s right for you will require a little trial and error. Enter Haeckels’ mix-and-match set of four, which includes the nutrient-rich Kelp Bioferment, calming Borage Seed Oil, brightening Sea Buckthorn Oil and acne-fighting Raspberry Seed Oil.

If you’re staunchly committed to a trusty three-step, wash, shave and moisturise regimen, more power to you. But there are small adjustments you can make to supercharge your routine, and serum is one of them. Mercifully, it requires minimal effort for maximum reward. Look for a formula that contains hyaluronic acid (HA, variously known as glycosaminoglycans or sodium hyaluronate on the ingredients list). And don’t let the mention of acid spook you – HA is a naturally occurring hydrator that binds to your cells and holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Simply apply a light layer after cleansing and before your usual moisturiser while your skin is still damp, to help it retain water and lend you a healthful glow.

Even the most rigorous grooming regimen can let you down in winter. For those eventualities, it’s a sensible idea to replenish your emergency reserves, by which we mean using products that will provide near-instant relief for dry, damaged skin. As well as a decent lip balm and a rich hand cream, it’s wise to keep a couple of sheet masks close to hand in case your skin gets into a spot of bother. Masks are especially handy during the colder months because they can both visibly boost skin’s plumpness while giving it time to absorb active ingredients. Plus, they feel like an indulgence on grey, drizzly days. This set of five from Harley Street wonder brand 111Skin is infused with soothing damask rose and real 24-karat gold (yes, really) that promises to bestow you with a year-round summertime glow.

There are shaving creams and then there are Marram Co’s shaving creams; each tube is packed full of natural ingredients, specially formulated for different occasions and times of the year. The It’s Cold formula is fairly self-explanatory – tailored for the depths of winter, it was designed for those dreary mornings when dragging yourself out of bed becomes that much harder than usual. As well as a bevy of moisture-boosting ingredients – notably vitamin E derived from carrot seed oil – it’s loaded with spicy ginger and sinus-clearing ravensara (also known as clove nutmeg) to give you a post-slumber boost. For optimum results, don’t forget to exfoliate prior to application, as the relative lack of moisture in the air during winter causes dead skin cells to build up faster. Sloughing them off with a gentle scrub or an alpha-hydroxy exfoliant (such as glycolic acid) beforehand will drastically reduce irritation and ingrown hairs.

You’ve no doubt already heard that sun protection isn’t just for when it’s sunny. But, according to a poll by YouGov in the UK, a surprising number of us still don’t use it: even when it is sunny, it seems that almost a quarter of the population skip sunscreen, with men significantly less likely to apply it than women. Most people are also guilty of not using enough sunscreen, while others rely on moisturisers with built-in SPFs, which has the unfortunate tendency to slip or rub off throughout the day. To be on the safe side, then, pick a product that’s specifically designed for this purpose, such as Soliel Toujours’ Organic Extrème Face + Scalp Sunscreen Mist – the water-resistant, factor-50 formulation offers broad spectrum protection, won’t leave white streaks behind and can be spritzed on your scalp, too.