According to New York City dermatologist Doris Day, M.D., you should look for creams that contain oil since it traps moisture in the skin better than water (which is often found in lighter lotions). She also suggests looking for oil in the first five ingredients to ensure it’s a major part of the product’s formula.

Being proactive with your skincare is one of the best ways to help ward off winter dryness and itchy skin before it starts. If you’re not using a body lotion already, it’s time to start. You want to hydrate the skin before you feel tightness or rough, scratchy patches forming. Apply after showering—ideally while the skin is still damp—to allow an even spreading on the skin’s surface while encouraging optimum penetration. This vitamin-packed fragrance-free lotion with shea butter forms a protective barrier, shielding skin from the drying effects of harsh weather.

Even before it gets too cold, you’ll notice your lips getting drier. Keeping a quality balm on hand to provide your lips with much-needed hydration will go a long way in helping to fend off painful, cracked lips. No one wants to kiss that, right? There’s plenty to choose from, but the legendary Burt’s Bees is still an excellent choice. The beeswax-based balm is infused with Vitamin E and peppermint and offers a subtle, matte finish that isn’t sticky.

While exfoliating won’t exactly help prevent winter dryness, it can help remove dead surface skin, which can give you a dull, lackluster appearance. Get rid of that dry, dead skin and you also allow your products to penetrate more effectively. But you need to be mindful of scrubbing chapped or wind-burnt skin. The key is a good chemical exfoliant. Dr. Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, says they can often be more effective and consistent than physical scrubs because ingredients like glycolic or salicylic acid dissolve the dead skin cells rather than just manually scraping them off. For both your body and face, you’ll notice these products will help correct uneven texture and reveal smoother, healthier skin.

If you notice your feet getting drier and cracked from being stuffed into boots and being dragged through cold, wet conditions, then you need to treat them to restore and heal the skin. Dr. Scholl’s makes an ultra-hydrating (yet lightweight) cream formulated especially for this. The potent blend of 25% Urea, essential oils and Epsom salt work overnight to smooth and soften the toughest dry, cracked feet. Once your feet and heels are smooth, regular application once or twice a week will keep your dogs feeling good until spring.

Staying in and avoiding the weather outside? Treat yourself and your face to some concentrated hydration. Once a week (at least), kick back with a sheet mask on and let those potent ingredients soak into your skin and do their thing. This K-Beauty favorite not only soothes and hydrates, but is clinically proven to strengthen your skin’s natural moisture barrier.