Winter Skincare Refresh
There is so much I love about the cold winter months. (Sigh) for one the holidays! I'm a sucker for those cozy/cuddly vibes. Busting out the warm coats, boots, and layering up. Chic snowy activities. Hot toddy's. But damn, the winter months wreak havoc on my skin!
The cold temperatures, dry air, and chilly winds put a lot of stress on the skin and damage the most vital skin cells that keep you looking young and fresh. The older I get, the more I understand that I have to treat my skin different with almost any change of weather. It’s super important to reevaluate your skincare and make the proper adjustments. So, for my winter skin refresh, I switched up my routine, changed a few habits, and added some new products - and no joke - my skin has never been so happy in the winter!
I've put together some fun tips to keep your skin hydrated all winter long, as well as easy changes to your everyday routine to help your skin feeling moisturized!
First and foremost, moisturize frequently, especially your hands. I always stock up on hand cream and lip moisturizers. I put have a set in my home office, purse, car and next to my bed. Extra dry? Run a humidifier in the rooms you spend the most time in, including your bedroom.
Next, cancel your boiling hot shower, it's actually not doing you any favors! According to the CDC, if your skin turns red, it's too hot. Your skin will stay more hydrated with a 5 to 10-minute lukewarm shower. Pro-tip: washing your hands in cooler water appears to be as effective at removing germs as warm water and is less irritating to the skin.
After your not-quite-so-hot shower, blot your skin dry and do a facial skin care routine (especially moisturizer) within a few minutes after bathing to seal the water into the skin. If you're unsure of what to use on your face, try out this fool-proof "thirsty skin" regime I've been doing at home!
My Thirsty Skin Regime
Morning:
Step 1 - No cleanser in the winter. I wake up and rinse my face and neck with cool water only. Even a gentle cleanser can dry out my skin during the winter!
Step 2 - Brighten up my face with Summer Fridays CC "Vitamin C Brightening Serum." Featuring two super-powered forms of Vitamin C, a Peptide Complex, and soothing Squalane. Been loving how Summer Fridays CC Me Serum goes to work on my dark spots & hyperpigmentation - goal is filter-free!
Step 3 - As I age, the dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles are trying to settle in. While I combat these issues with products and treatments, a tanned face helps camouflage impurities... which also means wearing less makeup. I can't express how much this step has helped with the overall appearance of my skin! A few odorless drops have helped me bronze up my face, neck & neglige without any risks of sun exposure. N°12 "Bronzing Face Drops" seamlessly integrates into your skincare routine without disrupting your process or products. It's buildable too, add a few drops to the moisturizer am, pm, or both.
Step 4 - Slap on a thick moisturizer. I love Dr.Roebuck's No Worries Hydrating Face Moisturizer because it's super hydrating but still lightweight. I loved this product last winter, I'm brought it back again!
Step 5 - Protect your gorgeous skin with SPF! Sunscreen has come such a long way and there are so many fantastic options these days. My absolute go-to sunscreen is the EltaMD SPF40 Daily Tinted Face Sunscreen Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid.
Evening:
Step 1 - Cleanse and remove your makeup. I always start off by splashing my face with cool water. Then, wet a washcloth with warm water and add 1-2 pumps of Botanical B Enzyme Cleansing Oil. I massage this all over my entire face. It even takes off the darkest eye makeup without any sting!
Repeat step 2 & 3 from the morning routine!
Step 4 - Moisuring with a retinol night cream. These can be pricey, but I found a really great drugstore brand that I'm happy with. I recommend Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer with Vitamin E.
Additional TLC for Thirsty Skin
On mornings when I'm just hanging around the house, I rinse my face with cold water and then apply this oil to my face with fingers or better yet, a roller or gua sha. Use my discount code SHAWNA15 for 15% off!
I have also been applying a nightime moisturizer/mask before bed. The Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask with Vitamin C is next level hydrating!
Okay, before we're done here, I have a little secret to let you in on. I haven't had a facial in almost a damn year! What a wild year. I've learned that a corrective face mask is a must, from home, at least once a week these days. My go-to's are the Yerba Mate Resurfacing + Exfoliating Energy Facial with Enzymes + Niacinamide by Youth to the People + Exfoliating and Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask by Herbivore Botanicals.
If you're on the go, sheet masks are fabulous and great to travel with (when we can!) Farmacy has a brightening mask, as well as a hydrating mask that both smell incredible.
