The colder weather can do a number on my skin — my mostly normal skin is more dry and my lips are chapped. Even though our California winters aren’t the coldest, everyone can benefit from a good cold weather beauty routine. This is my winter skincare routine:
EVENING SKINCARE
Night time is basically when I do all the heavy-lifting in my skincare routine. Your body is in recovery and restoring itself at night, and I want to give my skin all of the treatments and hydration that it needs.
Every night, I double cleanse — once with an oil cleanser, and once with an enzyme cleanser. I follow up by pressing in an essence into my skin, and dotting on an eye cream.
For my lips, I usually use a lip mask which transforms my lips overnight. My favorite lip mask that I’ve used for years is now vegan so I can’t wait to use the new formula.
On most nights, I’ll just use a firming serum, a moisturizer, and my sleeping collagen cream. These serums and creams really lock in the moisture and help keep my skin plum and hydrated.
A few nights a week, depending on how my skin is that day, I will use an active on my skin. I’ll alternate active nights between using my retinol and my AHA/BHA. I only started using these actives in the last 2-3 months, but I can see an improvement in my skin’s appearance and texture.
Because actives can make your skin sensitive to the sun, I think the winter was a good time to introduce these products into my routine.
MORNING SKINCARE
On the mornings where I used an active the night before, I wash my face with my rice polish enzyme wash. If I didn’t use any actives the night before, I’ll just rinse my face with water. It’s important to remove your actives completely since they can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Then I’ll use vitamin C — a serum for my entire face, and an under-eye cream. Vitamin C is brightening and can help even out your skin tone.
I will finish up with my favorite moisturizer and a broad spectrum sunscreen. Even in the winter, it’s important to wear sunscreen everyday. I find that layering my sunscreen over moisturizer helps to keep my skin more hydrated throughout the day.
SHOP PRODUCTS
Tatcha – Pure One Step Camellia Oil Cleanser
Algenist – Genius Sleeping Collagen
SKINCARE = SELF CARE
I have an alarm set every evening to remind me to make the time for myself; I find the process really relaxing. Taking time to do something you enjoy, and something that helps you to feel good about yourself is self care. It’s important to invest in yourself and do something that your future self will thank you for.
