My Winter Skincare Routine

I’m a little obsessed when it comes to skincare and finding the right routine. I’m always changing it up and adding new products to the lineup. But, I also try and stick to a single product for at least 4-6 weeks before switching it out as I believe that it takes at least a month to see results. However, I don’t know about you but when I walk into a Sephora or browse past the makeup counters in Nordstrom, I get really overwhelmed. There are so many products and reasons why you should buy a particular serum, cleanser, moisturizer or eye cream. I’m more interested in the science behind each product and why it’s good for me and my skin. In addition, what my skin needs in winter (moisture, moisture, moisture) differs from what it needs in summer (SPF, SPF, SPF).

With all that being said, below is a current list of my morning and night routine and some of the masks (or is it masques? seen it both ways) I’m currently loving this winter. I’ll also touch on a few products I’ve found that help rejuvenate my skin after a long night and not enough sleep (aka champagne binge). There’s also some science woven in there for my fellow geeks.

Morning Routine: The first thing I do every morning is wash my face. I just bought this cleanser with neuropeptides and so far it’s a goody (I basically bought it after reading the 5 star reviews). This Perricone MD is really milky and leaves my skin feeling conditioned and ultra-soft. Neuropeptide skin care products claim to fight wrinkles, sagging skin, and other signs of aging. This cleanser is meant to increase collagen in the skin, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles and makes the skin’s surface smoother. Neuropeptides act by affecting neurotransmitters in the skin. When this happens, nerve cells in the skin cease communicating and relax. The overall effect is that skin becomes smoother and wrinkles disappear. Ok, sold. So I don’t need Botox anymore, right? Wink. Jk I don’t wink, it gives me wrinkles.

After I cleanse, I apply this SkinCeuticals vitamin c serum that lightens lines, firms skin and brightens your complexion. Worth. Every. Penny. Let me tell you why: C E Ferulic features a synergistic antioxidant combination of 15% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), and 0.5% ferulic acid to enhance protection against environmental damage caused by free radicals that can contribute to atmospheric aging. This vitamin C serum helps neutralize free radicals induced by UVA/UVB, infrared radiation (IRA), and ozone pollution (O3), which may lead to visible signs of accelerated skin aging. In addition to antioxidant protective benefits, C E Ferulic improves signs of aging and photodamage, the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and the loss of firmness, while brightening skin’s complexion.

But if the price tag is a little too overwhelming, I’ve also used this Clarins serum and heard good things about Mario Badescu’s version here.

Then I spray some of this Beauty Counter facial mist all over, which reduces the appearance of age spots and promotes a brighter complexion. It also sets makeup – and smells so good. I decided to go with the Vitamin C line because it’s one nutrient that’s proven to be worth the hype. Vitamin C is a powerful, safe, science-backed compound that doesn’t just refine your complexion, but actually protects it from future damage. If it’s good for me to put IN my body, then it’s good to put ON my body. Using both the SkinCeuticals and Beauty Counter vitamin C serums may seem overkill and I could probably use just one but I figure doubling down on anti-aging, antioxidants and brightening can’t be a bad thing.

Lastly, I apply a moisturizer for the day and I have been alternating between this La Mer Moisturizing cream that I bought literally 2 years ago and this Khiel’s lotion (and more budget friendly). As for La Mer: people either love it or hate it..probably because of the cost. I honestly don’t think it’s worth the price when you have SO many other really amazing and effective moisturizers at your disposal. I bought it during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and have made it last a long time. I find it to be a little thick but extremely moisturizing in the dry winter months. I’m savoring every last drop and after late nights, I mix the La Mer cream with my vitamin C serums and it’s like magic. Instant glow.

Night Routine: Every night I remove my makeup with this Clinique cleansing balm. It really works wonders and strips all of the makeup off your face without leaving residue. I’ve used a number of facial wipes in the past but nothing gets my makeup off like this.

I like to exfoliate every 2 days so at night, I’ll alternate between the cleanser I used in the morning and this Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant. Rice powder absorbs oil while lactic and salicylic acids remove dead skin cells. The strawberries and rhubarb infuse my skin with antioxidants. Cha-ching!

At night is when I like to experiment with masks. I’ve already touched on why I purchased the Vitamin C line from Beauty Counter and it came with a mask that I use 2-3x a week. I leave it on for 15-20 minutes and leaves my skin feeling rejuvenated and bright. But if I don’t do a mask, I’ll apply my Beauty Counter facial oil and call it good. Night night! When I wake up, my skin feels hydrated and awake-something I always need. Ps. did I mention Beauty Counter is committed to to a health and safety standard that goes well beyond what is legally required in the United States? Super clean, super safe products but still highly effective.

This Eminence Probiotic masque is another favorite that I alternate with my Beauty Counter. When I feel like I’m breaking out, I always bust this bad boy out as it’s meant to revitalize and repair blemish-prone skin. I still suffer from some hormonal acne so this masque is my saving grace during those times. It reduces inflammation and purifies/detoxes my skin. But I usually reach for the Beauty Counter after a late night. That Vitamin C, man. It can’t be beat.

And last but not least, I feel like my lips are chapped 99% of the time so I always apply this all-time favorite before bed. I found mine at the checkout line at Nordstrom Rack – sorry honey!

Now – let’s talk ice rolling. It seems to be the new “it” item and for good reason. No, it’s not going to cure your skin problems overnight and make zits go away. But I’ll tell you the many reasons why I do love this product. For starters, it’s cheap. I got mine off Amazon for $12. Secondly, it does wonders for calming down the skin, especially after a workout, late night or if you’ve been crying. I use it after working out and before applying makeup to reduce redness. And every morning after a long weekend, I roll it over my eyes and I can instantly see a difference in puffiness. Miracle worker.

Now, if you can remember to use your ice roller every day (I find it hard just because it’s downstairs in the freezer and not readily available every morning when I wake up and wash my face in my bathroom), people swear that it can change your skin and reduce wrinkles. I’ve also read that using an ice roller after putting on your expensive facial oils helps seal in the product after application because the cooling effect seals everything into your pores. That’s reason enough for me to bust this out daily.

And of course, I can’t complete this post without talking about water intake.

The fact is that skin is an organ and just like any other part of the body, your skin is made up of cells. And skin cells, like any other cell in the body, are made up of water. Without water, the organs will certainly not function properly or at their best.

If your skin is not getting the sufficient amount of water, the lack of hydration will present itself by turning your skin dry, tight and flaky. Dry skin has less resilience and is more prone to wrinkling.

As water is lost in large quantities every day, you need to replace it somehow. The unfortunate truth about drinking water and skin is that water will reach all the other organs before it reaches the skin. So, it’s important to apply water to our skin and keep it there – this will not only show a visible difference in hydration, but it can prevent wrinkles, as well.

So what is the best way to add water to the skin?

• Apply a hydrating moisturizer within 2 minutes of leaving the bath or shower. The skin is still porous and is vulnerable to products that are applied following the bath or shower, allowing better absorption.
• Apply a product containing hyaluronic acid prior to your moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid holds 1,000 times its own weight in water, thus attracting water to the skin and holding it there.
• Drink more water. Drinking at least 8 glasses a day will help rid the body and skin of toxins. Everyone will not agree that water consumption will improve skin but it certainly can’t hurt. Many people often report that by increasing their water intake, their skin has a more radiant glow. Those who suffer from acne have reported the same results. Nothing will happen overnight, but even a good couple of weeks of increasing water intake should be enough for you to see how hydration affects your own skin.

So start sippin!

As for some products that I recently purchased but haven’t had enough time to really see results yet:

Origins Ginzing eye cream– a friend uses it for puffiness and swears by it. And I was in the market for an eye cream since that seemed to be missing from my routine. It was also one of the first products that popped up after I searched for the secret magic potion to apply after a hangover. Don’t judge.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Moisturizer: I really like my Kiehl’s moisturizer but when I saw this as I was walking through the check out at Sephora, it spoke to me. It contains 30% hyaluronic acid and is supposed to keep skin hydrated for up to 72 hours. I might start using this more during the dry winter months and switch to my Kiehl’s in summer. I’ll keep you posted on this one but so far, it’s a keeper.

Too Faced Hangover Rx: This was just too funny not to buy and is another product that shows up in a search engine if you’re looking for a skincare hangover cure. If you have to put on makeup the day after a late night, start here. It’s packed with coconut water, a probiotic based ingredient and skin revivers. Oh, and it smells like vacation. Yes, please.

Are there any products I am missing out on that are a must-have? What do I need? Like I said, product whore over here. I want it all. So send me your suggestions! Meanwhile, I’ll be over here chugging my water.

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