Although it’s easy to continue using the products you loved for summer and fall, winter puts a whole new set of demands on your skin, which is cause for change. The name of the game when it comes to your winter makeup routine is hydration. 

Los Angeles clinical dermatologist Jessica Wu, M.D. said harsh conditions — extreme cold, high winds and indoor heat — dry out the skin, leaving it itchy and dull. Luckily, these are all things that can be combated in your daily routine with the use of the right products. 

Starting with the right moisturizer for your skin type is essential when it comes to fortifying your skin and makeup throughout a cold winter day. Whether you have oily, dry or acne-prone skin, moisturizing is vital, and there is a moisturizer out there for you and your budget.

A common misconception for those with oily skin is that moisturizer isn’t necessary because your skin already produces oil. But oil doesn’t mean hydration. Dr. Eric Schweiger, founder of Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, explained that oil production is in response to a lack of moisture rather than an excess amount.

Skipping moisturizer will only produce more oil, which can lead to more breakouts and blemishes. This is perhaps a shocking revelation to the over 40 percent of young adults who deal with oily skin, according to the International Dermal Institute.

Once the skin is prepped with moisturizer, apply a hydrating oil or an oil-based primer as a base for your foundation. Using an oil-based product will reduce the appearance of dry skin on the face, which can be produced during the winter months, and will also act as a great base for the rest of your makeup.

After your base has set, trade the traditional foundation for a tinted moisturizer or hydrating foundation. Using a light-weight product in place of a heavy foundation will add another layer of moisture to your skin but will also provide coverage. If you don’t have these types of products in your makeup bag, mix equal parts moisturizer and traditional foundation to produce the same results.

After your tinted moisturizer, go in with a cream formulated concealer if you want some extra coverage. Opting for a liquid formula will prevent tugging on the sensitive under eye area. Cream concealers also are less likely to cling to dry patches of skin that appear more during winter months.

Winter is a time for any and all cream-based products, including bronzers, blushes and highlighters. These types of products come at all price points and provide a very natural look without looking bare. Apply the cream bronzer, blush and highlight on the same areas of the face you would a powder and blend out with a brush or beauty sponge.

A tip for a natural finish is to apply the product bit by bit and blend out before moving on to the next area of the face. For example, apply the cream highlight to the right cheekbone, blend it out and then move on to the left cheekbone. This will keep the product from settling into the skin and therefore making it harder to blend out. Blending is the key to making all cream products work together in your favor.

When it comes to eye makeup, always opt for waterproof products for longevity. Heavy winds can result in watery eyes which traditional mascaras and eyeliners do not like, and that one gust can ruin a great look. Going with waterproof is the best way to keep your look fresh all day.

Another major change to your makeup routine this winter is for the lips, and that means anything with a matte finish is your enemy. The lips lack moisture to begin with. Due to the fact that skin on the face is thinner than any other part of your body, it’s easy to dry them out.

Adding anything matte, though it’s on trend, will absorb any moisture your lips have and cling to any pre-existing dry patches, causing an unnatural finish.

The best alternative is to go for an oil-infused lip balm with some pigment. This is a great choice because the lips lack the ability to produce oil, causing them to dry out much faster. Combating that with tinted lip balm is the best way to go.

To finish off your new makeup routine, set the face with a setting spray rather than a finishing powder. This exchange will result in — you guessed it — more moisture. Applying a face powder will simply undo the adjustments made throughout the routine and dry out the entire face.

Setting sprays have been huge in the beauty world over the past year, and now they come at all price points and can accomplish many different goals. For example, Urban Decay is known for oil-absorbing setting sprays as well as a formula to make your look last all night while the inexpensive brand NYX Cosmetics has a spray on the market that will set your face with a dewy look. This last step is simple yet effective as you finish your new winter makeup routine.