Generally, I have pretty normal skin–a little oily in the T-zone but nothing too fussy on the rest of my face. Except this winter season has been a bit different for me. I’ve been noticing my skin getting drier and more irritated. It hasn’t been particularly cold in WV yet, but I figured it was time to start switching out my skincare anyway.
In the spring and summer I try to keep products light to avoid buildup and overall oiliness. In the autumn and winter, though, I like to focus more of moisturizing and luminizing since the winter weather can cause my skin to look dry and dull. Let’s chat about a few of my skincare favorites currently and for winter.
I’ve been using the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel as my main cleanser in place of my beloved Purity, but it’s really good. It’s gentle and effective at removing makeup and cleaning the face. I’m a double cleanse kind of gal, so I apply this to a dry face, rub it in circular motions to really work that makeup off the skin and then remove with a warm cloth. Why? I’ll let you know in a few minutes. I’ll then go in once more to cleanse my skin. Afterward, my face feels smooth and soft. Even if you don’t use this, I would recommend switching from a foaming cleanser to something thicker and creamier for winter.
In the winter especially, exfoliating is so important to me. It really keeps my skin in check, and none of your fancy skincare will work if your face is full of dead skin cells and build up. I alternate between a few different products depending on how much exfoliating my skin needs, but I’d say bi-daily I use the Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder from Tatcha. It’s really gentle but is effective and just feels good on the skin. A little goes a long way, which makes it easier to spend the money on it. I have been using the travel size for maybe 4 or 5 months, and it’s only about 3/4 of the way empty. So it will last a long while. Also, I mentioned I liked the remove my cleanser with a hot cloth, and it’s partially because it’s a gentle exfoliation every day. If you get those little under-the-skin bumps on your cheeks or chin, try doing this. I noticed mine going away after.
I love Ole Henrikson’s Truth Serum. My skin reacts really well to Vitamin C, and it’s a good thing too, because Vitamin C is hydrating and brightening making it great for winter. However, I wanted to see if I could find something else I like as well, and I did in the Vitamin C serum from Mario Badescu. I use this after cleansing and applying a toner.
I have recently been turned onto beauty oils, and I use them twice a day–once in the morning and once at night. In the mornings I Like to use the Daily Reviving Concentrate from Kiehl’s. It’s not too heavy and sinks into the skin well, and makeup applies over top beautifully. I also like to use the Midnight Recovery Concentrate from Kiehl’s at night after I have applied all of my skincare. In combination, my skin just feels hydrated and soothed.
I use a pretty lightweight eye cream in the mornings from 100% Pure–I like the coffee eye cream. It’s light and makes my eyes look awake, when in reality they are very, very sleepy. But at night, I like to go in with the Creamy Avocado Eye Treatment from Kiehl’s. It’s thicker and feels really nice on the skin.
Of course, a big part of my dry skin fix comes from a really good moisturizer. I have been loving First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream. I use it at night, in the morning. I use it all day if I don’t wear makeup. It’s the best. This also comes in a few sizes, so you can buy the smaller tubes for travel or just to test it out.
Another favorite recently has been a sleeping mask. I use masks frequently throughout the week, depending on what my skin needs. If I need something to really suck out the stuff from my pores, I’ll use a mask that does that. If I need even more hydration, I’ll use a mask that does that. I’ve also been using a lot of sheet masks, and I have seen a great difference in my skin. But almost nightly, I will apply the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask right before bed, after I’ve done the rest of my PM skincare, and when I wake up and rinse it off, my skin feel so plump and full of life and hydration. I really suggest trying something like this if you haven’t already.
Right beside my sleeping mask on my nightstand is my lip balm. I can’t go to bed without applying the Jouer Conditioning Lip Treatment. It’s thick, and I can still feel it when I wake up. My lips feel so moisturized and luscious when using this, and I notice a different when I don’t.
My skincare cabinet is always changing, but I am really starting to figure out what my skin responds well to and what is helpful for my needs. If you have a favorite skincare routine or product for winter, let us know in the comments as well as what kind of skin type you have.
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