I’m always in denial when it comes to winter. I long for the many hours of daylight and warm, balmy breezes of late summer, and romanticize autumn with all the flavors and colors. In all this, somehow, winter just doesn’t seem possible…
Until boom! The daylight hours are shorter and those chilly breezes become sharp and, well, just downright cold. I can feel my skin becoming dry and dehydrated from a lack of humidity in the air, the dry indoor heating, the cold, and the wind from outdoor excursions chapping my lips.
(Lucky wearing the Cozzzy Set in Smokeshow)
That, my friends, is our cue to lean in and start to enjoy all that comes with winter — hot chocolate, big puffy coats, shopping for warm boots online, and taking a little more time to care for our skin. Yes, your skin can look plump and dewy in the cold winter months, but it does need some help.
Allow me to take you from drugstore to luxury with some of my favorite winter-friendly skincare products.
Everyday Tweaks That Will Make Your Skin Sing
Put a humidifier in the bedroom. Your skin rests and repairs while you sleep — however, the dry air in our homes as a result of heating can really do a number on the skin. Providing a more balanced environment for your skin with a humidifier is a game-changer.
Use a skincare tool like a Gua Sha. Taking a little extra time to massage facial muscles after you’ve applied your skincare makes a difference — and your skin will thank you for it. Not sure how to use one? Here’s a tutorial.
Get yourself a ZIIP. This little gadget has gotten rave reviews from pretty much every celebrity I’ve ever worked with — and they’re right. It’s all about the glow and plump that comes from within, and this gadget is the luxury that gets you there.
Sometimes, less is more. Is your skin feeling sensitized? Try using fewer products and skip the AHAs and retinoids for a while. Lay off the exfoliants and use a gentler cleanser. Think about adding serums that draw moisture to the skin and provide a barrier to protect and keep moisture in.
Cleanse it All Away
These are my favorite cleansers for the winter months.
Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water. This cleanser is safe for the eyes and gently melts makeup away.
The Rice Wash by Tatcha. This cleanser contains hyaluronic acid and is pH neutral.
The Matinee Gel Cleanser by Jordan Samuel Skin. A gel, non-foaming cleanser with chamomile and cucumber to soothe the skin.
Glycolic Mousse Cleanser by NeoStrata. Say goodbye to rough skin texture. This cleanser also helps prep the skin for your regimen.
A Little Spritz Goes a Long Way
I love to use a spritz of facial mist between all skincare steps. It takes hydration to another level. Don’t blot the skin after you spritz, just go forward with your next steps.
Intense Hydration Complexion Mist by Temi. It contains a blend of botanical extracts to soothe, balance, and firm the skin.
Grape Water by Claudalie. This mist hydrates like crazy and is fragrance-free.
Get Serious About Serums
Face serums can contain a higher concentration of active ingredients. They absorb very quickly into the skin, and their consistencies can range from almost water-like to a more oily texture. Some serums help brighten your skin or reduce redness or blemishes, while others focus on boosting hydration or tightening and lifting the skin.
H.A. Intensifier by SkinCeuticals. This serum helps amplify your skin’s hyaluronic acid levels.
Hydrate Facial Serum by Jordan Samuel Skin. The name says it all — and gives an immediate result.
Vino Perfect by Claudalie. A serum that’s good for all skin types, and makes your skin look radiant.
Gel Phyto Correcteur by SkinCeuticals. If you are like me and suffer from a touch of rosacea, or your cheeks become very red in the cold, this complexion calming gel may be for you.
The Serum Essence by La Mer. This Serum hydrates, blurs fine lines, and makes the overall appearance of the skin more even.
Feed Your Skin Some Much-Needed Moisture
It’s true, we do need to change up our moisturizer in the winter months. Our skin needs more protection and deeper hydration, which can feel instantly gratifying.
Weleda Skin Food. The company’s best-selling moisturizer for good reason. Plus, it’s reasonably priced and has high impact moisture.
The Silk Cream by Tatcha. Rich, yet weightless, gel creme that gives the skin a much-needed boost of hydration.
SOS Intense Moisturizing Cream by Claudalie. A moisturizer that delivers intense hydration, calms redness, and repairs dry skin.
Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream by Youth to the People. A hydrating moisturizer with superior plant extracts and a pro-grade peptide complex formulated for dry, reactive, and sensitive skin.
The Moisturizing Soft Cream by La Mer. This can help renew your skin’s barrier to strengthen and protect from environmental stressors, like pollution.
Ultra Moisturizing Face Cream by NeoStrata. It’s great for sensitive skin, and you can count on it to moisturize and smooth.
Don’t Forget About SPF
SPF is still crucial even when we can’t see the sun.
I love the SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50.
Show Your Under-Eyes Some Love
The Eye Concentrate by La Mer. This eye cream is fast absorbing and deeply hydrating.
Dream Eye Cream by Youth To The People. An overnight eye cream that actively hydrates while you sleep.
Brightening Eye Cream by Neostrata brightens AND hydrates.
Premier Cru The Eye Cream by Caudalie. It’s great for sensitive eyes, hydrates, and smooths the eye area.
Kiss Cracked Lips Good-Bye
Lip Wrinkle Repair by NeoStrata. I love this non-goopy lip repair that hydrates the lips and visibly reduces vertical lip lines. Yes, please!
The Kissu Lip Mask by Tatcha. Contains Japanese peach extract for soft, pillowy lips.
Everything Herbal Balm by Shiva’s Delight. This cult-favorite can be used, yes, for lips, but also for dry cuticles and anywhere on the body that needs a little TLC.
Treat Your Skin to a Mask
Bionic Oxygen Recovery by NeoStrata. A little facial in a bottle! It leaves skin energized and plumped.
Botanical Masque by Temi. A mild, anti-inflammatory masque for sensitive skin
Moisturizing Mask by Caudalie. This rich, dewy mask nourishes and soothes irritated skin.
Let’s Talk Body
Don’t forget that the rest of your body needs winter love, too. I like to keep a body lotion or oil near (or in) the shower and apply while the skin is still damp (not wet).
Olio Per Il Corpo Body Oil by Jordan Samuel Skin. Take your skin on holiday to Italy. Prepare for your body to glow and your skin to feel soft and supple.
Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Lotion by NeoStrata. This lotion promotes skin rejuvenation for the whole body.
Sleepy Honey Butter Cream by Temi. Like honey, it soothes skin irritations — like eczema, psoriasis, and stress hives. It also smells divine.