Proper skin care is necessary all year round, but winter requires special attention. Dryness, redness, and flakiness are just some of the effects of winter that can come out of nowhere. Fortunately, Marie Claire Beauty and Health Editor Taylore Glynn is tackling your most pressing ones.

After years of talking to countless dermatologists and testing (literally) hundreds of products, Glynn knows a thing or two about fighting the effects of winter on your skin. So put on your favorite moisturizing mask and read her answers (guided by dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, founder of the Hudson Dermatology and Laser Center (opens in new tab)) and product picks from Ulta Beauty (opens in new tab).

The cold, dry winter air can further dehydrate the skin, causing it to look tired and dull." Exfoliation is the key to glowing skin," says Glynn, and doing so regularly comes with tons of benefits: increased cell turnover, even skin tone, acne reduction, and deeper penetration of other skin care products to follow.

Glynn recommends using Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum in the morning. It contains vitamin C (which helps diminish wrinkles and discoloration) and botanical ingredients that help soften and smooth the skin. Glynn recommends using First Aid Beauty's Facial Radiance Pads for evening care. Infused with lemon zest and licorice root, this product helps brighten. Glynn advises those with sensitive skin to start by using the pads only a few times a week to get used to the product.

Double cleansing (the process of cleansing with an oil-based cleanser and a water-based cleanser) is the secret to removing all makeup and eliminating bad bacteria without stripping the skin of moisture and keeping it healthy, Glynn explains. She recommends starting with Clinique's Take the Day Off. It is lightweight, and when massaged into the skin, it turns into a silky oil that removes waterproof and hard-to-remove makeup products.

Glynn follows the balm with a light, foaming one. Her top choice is the Serve Foaming Facial Cleanser. A drugstore staple, it contains three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-11).

Vanusari added that double cleansing is especially helpful this winter, when most people are wearing protective masks (open in new tab). He explains that it is painless to spend the extra time to make sure you are removing all makeup and anything that might clog pores. (Just make sure to stick to products with gentle ingredients.)

Get this: you may be overloading your skin. There is only so much you can absorb at one time. According to Glynn, using the essence as the first layer allows other products to penetrate the skin more easily and work more effectively. She says, "The products penetrate more easily into damp skin, and the essence contains other actives that help lock in moisture as you apply the rest of the routine." Essences are also a great option for a quick moisture boost throughout the day, Dr. Vanusari says.

Grins Recors Hanskin Hyaluronic Skin Essence. This is made with sodium hyaluronate, a powerful moisturizing ingredient that can hold 1,000 times its weight in water. According to the brand, this essence acts as a toner, moisturizer, and serum in a single bottle, with a non-greasy formula suitable for all skin types.

Facial massage is a great DIY way to contour the face without makeup and feels great, Glynn says." Lymphatic drainage massage is used worldwide for both health and beauty reasons, and having one can really make a difference in just 15 minutes."

Massaging the face with a jade roller, like this rose quartz facial roller, improves lymphatic flow in the face (and temporarily reduces swelling), says dermatologist Melissa Kanchanapomi Levin, M.D. "It's a great way to get the lymphatic system working better," she says. Pro Tip: Keep the rollers in the fridge for a relaxing cooling effect.

The solution is simple: layer moisturizing products. Glynn recommends applying the lightest moisturizer first, followed by a richer moisturizer. For reference, products with smaller molecules (thin, lightweight formulas, such as water-based serums) can penetrate more deeply into the skin.

Glynn usually starts with a hyaluronic acid serum such as The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. This ultra-lightweight serum is designed to hydrate and support the skin barrier. The beauty editor then follows the serum with a cooling, gel-textured moisturizer, such as It Cosmetics Confidence in a Gel Lotion Oil-Free Moisturizer.

Dryness accentuates fine lines on the face, Glynn explains. The more hydrated the skin, the plumper it looks," she says, explaining that a moisturizing serum can help minimize the appearance of crow's feet. She recommends trying Juice Beauty Stem Cell Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum - a lightweight gel serum that moisturizes and hydrates skin with organic jojoba and shea.

To combat wrinkles and crow's feet near the eyes, she especially recommends Clarins Extra Firming Eye (open in new tab). This 2-in-1 formula is somewhere between a serum and a balm, and contains caffeine for firming.

Glynn says that when she's in a pinch with acne, a spot treatment to reduce inflammation and redness can be very helpful. She recommends Murad Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment (opens in new tab). It is made with a maximum-strength formula that includes a 2% salicylic acid exfoliation that claims to reduce the size and redness of spots within four hours. Plus, the clear gel treatment goes well under makeup without feeling piled on skin.