BLOGMAS DAY TWO: My Winter Skincare Routine

We are back with day two of blogmas, mes chéries! I hope you enjoyed getting a quick tour of the fun places to visit this holiday season in New York for day one. Today, we’re going to be talking about preparing your skin for the winter time.

I don’t know about you, mes chéries, but there is nothing I hate more than painfully dry, cracked, and wind-burned skin. Every year when November comes to an end, I start changing up my skincare routine to make sure my skin is moisturized, protected, and soft throughout the colder months.

Winter Skincare Morning Routine

Since I shower at night and use my Clarisonic, I add moisture back into my skin before bed (which we will get into in the next section). During the night in the winter, the air in your home can get really dry both naturally and if you have the heat on. To prevent stripping my face from moisture in the mornings, I usually try to wash my face with lukewarm water and a very small amount of cleanser just to lightly clean around my eyes and T-zone.

After rinsing my face, I gently pat it dry before applying my Origins No Puffery Cooling Roll-On tube to my eyes and patting that in. Afterwards, I pump my Shiseido Balancing Toner onto a cotton pad and gently sweep it across my face to help prep my skin for a smoother makeup application. Sometimes, I replace this step with spritzes of Mario Badescu facial sprays if I just plan on staying at home and not putting anything on afterwards. After all of that dries (usually takes about a minute), I apply my daily moisturizer followed my primer and makeup.

I used to use Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion in the winter (gel in the summer), but felt like it did not do enough for my skin. Currently, I’ve been trying out sample sizes of three different moisturizers because I’m unsure about which one to pick. They are Jack Black Clean Break Oil-Free Moisturizer, Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream, and Farmacy Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer. It’s been about a month in, and I have to say so far Drunk Elephant wins the skincare game for me, again. I’m going to give it more time before I jump on and purchase the product.

If it’s the weekend, or I know I will be out in daytime under the sun, I opt for my Aveeno Daily Moisturizer with SPF protection. I know that it’s winter time and the sun isn’t as “strong” but that doesn’t mean the UVA/UVB rays are not present or harmful! This moisturizer usually goes for about $8.99 at drugstores and is the perfect amount of lightweight but effective. I’m a huge fan of it for spring and fall seasons. It’s a little bit creamy for me in the summertime.

However, there are some days where I am in a rush and don’t have time to wait for my skin to fully absorb my moisturizer before I prime my face. Those days, I’ve been reaching for my mini size Hello Fab Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer. If you have ever used First Aid Beauty (FAB), you know that their creams and lotions are absolutely wonderful and drench your skin with just the right amount of moisture. This primer is a two-in-one and one of my favorites for when I’m in a rush. I highly recommend it for anyone who prefers to mix two steps in one!

 

Winter Skincare Nighttime Routine

There is nothing more important in your winter skincare routine than what you do at night before bed! Your skin heals and rests as you rest, so you want to make sure you’re protecting it and giving it some R&R if you’ve been out and about or wore makeup all day.

I take my makeup off at the end of the day with a combination of a makeup wipe and a balm-to-oil makeup remover by Banila Co for eye makeup. Then, I use my Aveeno Positively Radiant cleanser with my Clarisonic and gentle cleansing head (the light pink on) in the shower. I make sure the water is not too hot, as that strips your face and skin from its natural moisture.

Once out of the shower, I apply Kiehl’s Calendula toner. Next, depending on the day, I’ll use a face mask or go straight to my skincare products. I apply my Drunk Elephant TLC serum and Drunk Elephant Marula Luxury Facial Oil. When applying serum and oil, a little goes a long way. Don’t overdo it because your skin will have a tough time absorbing all of it. Be sure to apply it evenly to your entire face to prevent breakouts

Note that it may seem counterintuitive to apply oil if you have naturally oily skin. However, in the wintertime your skin will overproduce oil even more because the air is dryer. In order to trick your skin into thinking you have enough moisture so it doesn’t become so oily, you apply oil and let it soak lightly into your skin.

Afterwards, I apply my Clinique All About Eyes eye cream to keep fine lines at bay for as long as I can. I drink a large gulp of water to keep my body hydrated and head to bed.

 

I hope this post helped answer any minor questions you may have about prepping your skin for the winter season. Remember that my routine may not necessarily be best for your skin! It took me a while to find a routine that fit my skin’s needs, so don’t be frustrated if you’re struggling to find the best products for you. All that aside, let’s get baby butt smooth skin together this winter and stay moisturized!

See you tomorrow! Bisou, bisou…