Trends come and go with the seasons, but some things (in theory) should always stay the same. When it comes to your skincare regimen, especially, consistency is one practice that may just trump all the others when it comes to your effectiveness.

Not that this process doesn’t require trial and error, of course. You may go through several face washes, toners, lotions, masks or serums before you find the one that best enhances your skin. Once you’ve found guns that you can stick to, however, it’s generally advised that you don’t fall prey to the temptation to switch it up based on – well, anything, really.

“Revamping your entire skincare regime for no other reason than the change of season is one of the less helpful pieces of beauty advice I have read. For a start, continuity is one of the secrets to good skincare,” writes Kate Shapland of The Telegraph. “There has to be a really significant temperature change to cause skin to become so much oilier or drier.”

If you’re wondering how to get ahead of the learning curve and arrive to your ideal skincare set sooner, seek out a professional who can appraise your skin or look for products designed for your particular skin type. Also, stick to the skin care brands and products you’re familiar with.

You can usually tell if you have dry, oily or combination skin based on how often you wash it and how it reacts to various products.