My face has felt like dry plastic when getting out of the shower lately. Must still be winter.
Because skin is much more sensitive in cold, dry months (hello breakouts, welcome back– I still despise you), I wanted to share a regimen that I like to follow to keep my skin healthy and hydrated in the winter. I used to have highly irritable skin, and also have a disposition for occasional cystic acne, but following this routine gives me a peace of mind that I am doing everything to keep my skin clear and healthy. I do all of these steps at night when I’m getting ready for bed. The best part is that it doesn’t take that long to do. It’s just a matter of setting yourself up into a routine and taking care of yourself. It really works for me, and I hope if you’re struggling with developing a healthy skincare routine that it helps you as well!
1. Clarisonic brush.
This step goes first because I believe this baby is literally what cleared up my skin a few years ago. I used to use makeup wipes to take my makeup off, thinking that that was enough to get my foundation and whatnot off my face, but I started noticing that even after I scrubbed with one of those wipes, there was still makeup residue that would come off if I used an additional one. I really didn’t like going through a washcloth every single day just to take off my makeup, so my mom stepped in with this puppy as a gift when I was trying to get my skin regimen figured out. It’s gentle, you can choose different brush heads for it (I use the one made for acne-prone skin), and after you use it, you just wash it off with soapy water. It even has vibration timers that let you know how long to wash each area of your face. Seriously, I love this thing.
2. Gentle exfoliant.
This was another game changer for me. Even though my cleanser was doing a great job getting my makeup off, I really think I needed a regular exfoliant to prevent my random acne bumps. This is a great exfoliant option to buy, but I’ve also found that a simple mixture of organic sugar, some cleanser, and lemon juice (totally optional – you could maybe even do an essential oil) works perfectly. I try to exfoliate 2-3 times a week. In the winter, I have flaky skin in some areas, and this helps get that all off. I also always exfoliate if I’ve been wearing heavy or thick makeup. I see a big difference between when I do and don’t exfoliate. Getting that layer of dead skin off of your face is the key to having a facial “glow” in my opinion!
3. All-natural cleanser.
I think a gentle, all natural cleaner is important, because this is the product that you use to wash your face. Products will harsh chemicals will only dry winter skin out more. I have recently started using the brand Simple from Walgreens. It’s natural, cheap, and lasts a long time. I use about a nickel to quarter size amount.
4. Face moisturizer.
This is an obvious one. Your skin is dry and thirsty, so you need a daily moisturizer applied before putting makeup on. Many makeup products have chemicals in them that while make your look last longer throughout the day, also dry out your skin. I typically have oily skin, so I opt for a no-oil moisturizing primer, actually. You could easily just go with a light moisturizer, but because I wear makeup pretty much every day, I like Laura Mercier’s moisturizer/primer combo. It’s super light and never makes my T-zone oily.
5. Coconut oil.
I only use coconut oil on my eyelashes, actually, but I consider this a part of my skin care routine. PSA: This stuff is as awesome as people say it is. All-natural is a plus, but after I started using this oil to take off my eye makeup, my eyelashes grew way longer– after only a month! I used to use makeup wipes to get my eye makeup off and was always horrified to look down and see three or four eyelashes that has broken off in the process. Now, I literally never lose an eyelash AND they’re longer. I simply use a tissue or cotton ball to take off my mascara and then apply a little extra on my lashes for good measure. This stuff can be found at any natural market. Here is a brand that is great.
6. Hydrating eye cream (all-natural).
I really like eye cream because in the winter, the skin under my eyes often feels really tight (#asianeyes). I like this all-natural option from 100% Pure. It smells good and isn’t too thick, but very hydrating. I put this on at night and wake up ready to put on my makeup. It helps my concealer keep from breaking or looking cakey, too. This is a product I would say you definitely need to go all-natural on. After all, it’s right by your eyes, which are sensitive to chemicals and can even burn if you get the wrong ingredients in them.
7. Tinted moisturizer.
I’m putting this as a step in my routine because this was another game changer when trying to clear up my face. I used to use thick, concealing foundation because I liked the coverage… Until I started getting even worse breakouts. After switching to tinted moisturizer, my skin always looks hydrated and never cakey or dry like it used to when I was fifteen (gross, Shelby)– and this is a double win in the winter when your skin is dry anyways. My favorite brand is Laura Mercier.
I’d love to hear your winter skin tips! I’m always looking for ways to make my skin healthier and for products that are all natural. Let me know if you have a suggestion I should add to this list!
x o x o
