Winter Skincare Routine + Product Favorites
I get a lot of questions about my winter skincare (& favorite products in general), so I thought I would share that today! I switch up my skincare for the seasons/based on what my skin needs, so this post is all about my winter skincare routine. Read on to see my favorite skincare products for winter that keep my skin looking & feeling its best, no matter how frightful the weather.
For me, beauty starts with the skin. I turned 30 in November & it really motivated me to perfect my winter skincare routine– and by that I mean establish a skincare routine! I was never the best at taking care of my skin. Growing up in Florida I would bake in the sun for hooours on the weekends with friends– at the pool, at the beach after, of course, removing leg hair at Touch Up Laser, on the boat… everyone spent their time outside. I have olive skin so I tan really quickly, but once my skin got super dark I wouldn’t even wear sunscreen. You guys, some days we would be at the beach for 7+ hours– AND I DIDN’T WEAR ANY SUNSCREEN. *cringe* That tan was on point, but now I realize just how bad that was for me. Now we live in the north & I basically get no sun for half the year. So things even out, right? Haha.
Winter in Chicago means relentless cold temps outside + dry heat inside, sooooo… dehydration much? I have dry skin as it is, so it’s important for me to use hydrating & nourishing products to get me through the cold, harsh season. So here we go:
my winter skincare routine + favorite products:
1. Makeup Remover & Face Wash
My skincare routine happens at night before I go to bed. If I’m wearing makeup, I’ll start with a makeup remover wipe while I get the shower going. I get them in bulk at Costco & they’re just the Kirkland brand. The wipes get rid of the bulk of my face makeup, but they don’t do much (if anything) for my stubborn eye makeup, so I go in with an oil based remover once I’m in the shower. I love the Sierra Sage Face Wash for removing the rest of my makeup. It has nourishing/soothing ingredients like olive oil & calendula flower. It’s also 100% natural so there’s no harsh chemicals that strip the skin. I also love the Jane Iredale Magic Mitt— you literally need zero products, the special knitted microfiber cloth clears everything off, even waterproof mascara. No joke. It’s amazing.
2. Exfoliator
If I’m not wearing makeup, I’ll skip right to an exfoliating cleanser. The Jojoba Company Bead Facial Cleanser is by far my fav! It’s gentle, clears out my pores & gives me some added moisture. Full of antioxidants & rich in vitamins, it soothes, calms, tones and rejuvenates.
3. Toner
I’ve never been a huge fan of toner, but I recently found one that I love–the Botanical Tonique from Pharmagel. It’s a botanical based formula that feels really refreshing on the skin & helps promote clear, youthful, radiant skin. My absolute favorite part about it is that it comes in a spray bottle. Other brands seriously need to take note of this! I hate wasting product on a cotton ball, so I love that I can spritz it directly on my face & be done. It also feels extra refreshing in this form for some reason, haha.
4. Moisturizer
This stop is obvious in any winter skincare routine –>The very first thing I do when I get out of the shower is pat my face with my towel (leaving a little bit of moisture on the face) & apply an intense overnight moisturizer while my pores are still open & most accepting. I have 2 favorites–
Both moisturizers give intense hydration (key ingredients include hyaluronic acid, which gives the skin the ability to retain moisture) and they don’t feel too heavy or greasy on the skin. Both are made with gentle and nourishing ingredients that the skin benefits from. If I had to pick just one, I’d go with The Jojoba Company simply for the fact that I like the way it smells a little bit better. But other than that, I love them both!
5. Sheet Masks
If I’m feeling a little extra, I’ll put on a face mask before bed. My absolute favorites are the Dermal Korea Collagen Face Masks. They come in a combo pack of 16, with options like wine, honey grapefruit, rose, acai berry, & even gold. I try to wear them for as long as possible. The longer you leave them on, the more benefits for your skin :) Sometimes I even fall asleep with them on– Believe me when I tell you these will make your skin look & feel amaaaazing!!
6. Spot Treating
If I have a breakout, I use something kind of unconventional to treat it– Jane Iredale Disappear Concealer. (I know, I know, JI again? But I just love her products so much!) It’s highly pigmented, like, covers up tattoos pigmented, so it gives full coverage & literally makes the blemish disappear. It’s also PACKED with antioxidants like Organic Willow Bark, which treats the blemish & speeds up recovery. If I see a blemish starting, I use the concealer immediately & then I also make sure I dab on a bit before bed & let it sit overnight. If it isn’t 100% gone the next day, it’s significantly smaller & will clear up completely in the next day or two– it’s magical, guys. Highly, highly recommend!
7. SPF
I don’t use nearly enough SPF in my winter skincare routine (especially since 90% of the UV rays reflect from the snow) but it’s only because I’m not spending a lot of time outside. Instead of a dedicated sunscreen, I use beauty products with SPF built in; specifically, Jane Iredale face makeup. These are the ones I use & LOVE:
Even their pressed powders look amazing on my dry skin– I usually can’t wear powder foundations bc my skin gets flaky! They’re def a bit of an investment, but I proooomise you won’t be disappointed.
8. Fake Tan
I haven’t actually done this yet this year (I considered it yesterday, but realized that would require shaving my legs & I just didn’t have the energy, haha!) but I thought I would share it in case you were interested. Sub zero temps obviously means I’m not getting any sun, so if I’m feeling extra extra, I’ll use a fake tanner to give me that golden glow I love & miss so much. I’ve used a few self tanners before, but the only one I will ever use again is by Loving Tan. I get the 2 Hr Express in Ultra Dark bc it gives such a deep, natural (hint: NOT ORANGE!) tan & it’s really easy to blend out. If you guys are interested in a separate post on how to apply, maintain & remove it, just lmk & got you.
& that’s it for my skincare routine! Do you switch up your routine seasonally? When I lived in FL, that was never a thing for me, but living in IL it’s definitely necessary & makes a big difference in my skin. & I have to know, what are your favorite skincare products for winter, or in general? I love trying new things!
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Be sure to check those out before you leave! Thanks for stopping by!
Crochet Hats by Yali's and Yabo's
