We know how eagerly so many of us wait for winter because of ‘winter hair’ and ‘winter skin’ which roughly translate to non-oily skin and hair that will stay put. However, every winter we are reminded that the cooler weather brings its own challenges. While your face may glow with the flame of a hundred candles, and your hair may flow more smoothly than any relationship you’ve ever had, everyone has a problem area that acts out in winter.

The answer to most skin challenges is hydration. But you don’t just want any hydration. We may not need to even say this, but break up your skincare by ingredient and make sure you have a bit of everything.

Here are the three things you want in your skincare all the time, and especially in winter:

Humectants: These bind to water, pull water out to surface and keep everything hydrated.

Emollients: Soften and moisturize

Occlusives: Soften, moisturize, and also retain moisture

So let’s move on to the products you’ll want to toss into your handbag or briefcase this winter, and won’t mind using lots of as they’re quite affordable.

Dry, tight, itchy skin

It may be winter, but we still need to wash our faces, right? Soap, combined with those chilly winter breezes, will make the skin on your face feel tighter or drier than usual. Enter Nivea cream. Yes, one in the blue tin you remember your daadi using. It is also hyped as Creme De La Mer’s inexpensive cousin or dupe, and is priced a little under Rs 300 per tin.

Super rich and hydrating, if you feel your facial skin is maybe too oily for all the hydration, definitely have it on hand for the rest of your body. And even if your skin is on the oilier side and you don’t have other massive skin concerns, ending your nighttime skincare routine with the Nivea Creme once or twice a week will leave skin thoroughly moisturized.

Chapped lips

Not only do lips lose moisture quicker than the rest of your skin because they don’t produce their own moisture to begin with, some of us bite and pick on our lips when they are already dry and chapped, causing further damage.

You might be a little wary of celeb skincare lines, but all the feedback on Nur by Juggun Kazim has so far been positive. And the Nur lip balms are really terrific. Available in strawberry, mango, shea, and peppermint, they smell heavenly, and will keep dry lips and cuticles hydrated through the coldest, driest day.

Dry heels, elbows, and knees

Like all moms ever, we believe in glycerin’s healing properties for dry and cracked skin, but unlike all moms, we don’t enjoy liquid-y textures for hands and feet. Or that specific way that glycerin-rosewater concoction just drips everywhere. Meet your new best friend, Glysolid. This is solid glycerin, comes in a similar handy tin to Nivea’s, and can be applied absolutely anywhere needed. The plus is that glycerin’s a humectant, while paraffin acts as an occlusive, locking moisture in.

Dry ends and flyaways

We’re pretty sure that we’ve mentioned apricot oil before, but here’s our winter special: because it smells delicious, and isn’t greasy as much as rich, it would be safe to pour some into a tiny bottle and keep in your purse for a quick run through your hair, taming staticky hair and moisturizing it. Don’t want to risk an oil spill? Just slick a drop or two through hair right after washing, and mix in with your post-shower moisturizer for an extra moisturizing kick!