Summer is gone, and so are the days of constantly having to reach for my oil blotting sheets every hour. Fall is here, and my skin is now controllable due to the cooler weather, but not for long. Winter looms ahead of us with visions of dry, cracked skin that cries out for moisture and relief, and chapped lips that peel like a snake constantly. However, there are ways to prevent this disaster from happening and to keep your skin dewy and fresh like it is when the leaves change colors, and it all goes back to your routine.

Before you consider what products to look for, identify your skin type. There are four general types: dry, normal, combination, and oily. Your skin type can be tested with a simple oil blotting test. Take an oil blotting sheet and dab it onto your forehead, nose, chin, and both cheeks.

No oil from any of these places results in dry skin, and oil in all places results in oily skin. Combination skin types will find oil in their T-Zone: forehead, nose, and chin. Normal skin types will find a little bit of oil in each area, but will not saturate the blotting sheet.

Not every person will fit perfectly into one category; most people can fall into multiple, and skin types change with weather and age. For example, my skin is normal-combination during spring and summer, but normal-dry during fall and winter.

Now that your skin type has been deduced, it is now time to consider your skin care routine. The routine I recommend and follow consists of using cleanser, exfoliator, mask, toner, serum, and moisturizer.

Cleansing is the first step because it is key in removing impurities and makeup in order to maximize the benefits of your following products. If you wear a full face of makeup often, try a two step cleansing method; use a cleansing oil or balm to remove the majority of makeup, and then follow up with a foaming cleanser. This will ensure that no traces of makeup are left.

To remove dead skin cells and regenerate new cells, make sure you follow your cleanser with an exfoliator. Generally, more oily skin types exfoliate 2-3 times per week, while drier skin types only do it 1-2 times per week.

One of my favorite rituals are face masks. There are a plethora of types that all focus on different needs- clay masks, sheet masks, peeling masks… the list is never-ending. I treat myself with a mask three times a week to target specific issues.

Next, apply a toner in order to balance your skin’s pH levels after cleansing. Avoid drying agents, such as alcohol, to avoid stripping your skin of its natural barriers. Find a toner with loads of botanicals.

Serums are optional, but they are great for focusing on specific issues, such as pores, acne, redness, and anti-aging. I use a pore one for my T-Zone and a redness serum for my flushed cheeks.

Finally, finish off your routine with a solid moisturizer. Use one that will hydrate your skin, but keep it in control. Moisturizers seal in all of your previous products, so make sure that what you are using does not disrupt your skin.

As a final tip, if you cannot pronounce the ingredients on the list, do not consider the product. Many skincare items use multiple chemicals that are unrecognizable, so be safe and avoid them. Happy skin days to you.