Fall is here and winter is just around the corner, bringing relief from the long, hot summer. Along with brisk air and cozy nights by the fire, winter also brings the dreaded dry skin. Just when you got your summer skincare routine down, it's time to start prepping your skin for cold air. Men's facial care should change with the changing seasons. As temperatures and humidity levels shift, adjust your technique to keep your skin looking great. Winter weather is harsh on men's beards and faces, so it's important to use all-natural products. When your skin is already battling the elements, you don't want it battling harmful chemicals too. Here are 4 skincare tips for men of color, to keep your skin healthy throughout the winter season.

1. LATHER IT UP

While the colder weather means you might sweat less, it's still important to wash your face daily. Colder air may dry your skin out, but as a result, your skin overproduces oil to compensate. That's how you wind up with the contradictory problem of dry skin with oily breakouts. Keeping your beard and face clean is important to prevent clogged pores and unsightly acne. In the winter, you'll want to use a mild cleanser with a moisturizing component to replace natural oils in a non-comedogenic way. Look for ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile, found in cleansers like Dapper to gently remove impurities.

2. BUFF IT OUT

Winter is when dead skin cells tend to proliferate and accumulate. This leads to a dull appearance, as well as bacteria and dirt getting trapped under the skin. Winter skincare for black men needs to include a good exfoliating product. Sloughing away the dead skin cells leads to a healthier glow and prevents breakouts and ingrown hairs. But not just any buffer will do, some are too harsh for winter skin. Refined Buff + Cleanse is infused with jojoba seed, coconut oil, and lava powder to balance out the buffing process. It's important to look for natural ingredients since buffing scratches beneath the surface and distributes products deep in the skin.

3. MOISTURIZE IT IN

Once you have cleansed and buffed your skin, it's important to lock moisture in. Harsh winds and freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on your skin, and a good moisturizer is your best defense. A winter moisturizer should have anti-aging properties too since dry air contributes to the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Winter air causes everything from dry patches, to redness, to cracked lips, so slather on a rich moisturizer before you head out for the day. Don't forget to moisturize your lips- their thin skin makes them the most susceptible to cold air. Ingredients like vitamin E and shea butter keep both your face and your beard looking supple. Smooth Face + Beard Moisturizer has the added benefit of boosting collagen to maintain your youthful appearance. 

4. OIL IT DOWN 

Winter skincare tips for men of color would not be complete without a luxurious beard oil. A pre-shave oil like Bold will tame unruly hairs and boost beard growth which slows down in the winter climate. Or soften dry, coarse, beard hair with an oil like Muse which combines argan oil, jojoba oil, and sweet almond oil to soften the toughest hair shafts. Oils are essential for winter beards, but they have the added benefit of moisturizing the skin beneath too. No one likes a scraggly beard, so keep yours looking its wintery best with an all-natural beard oil.

When it comes to winter skincare for men, an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure. It's easier to prep and protect your skin from the weather than to repair the damage it causes. Companies like Solo Noir for Men offer all-natural solutions to guard your skin against the elements. Shop for your winter cleansers, exfoliators, moisturizers, and oils now, so you'll be ready when winter rolls in.