There’s lots I look forward to in winter: cozy movie nights, hot peppermint mochas, and of course the holidays. But the one thing I dread is how dry my skin becomes as temperatures drop. It’s gotten worse with age, and now that I’ve gone through menopause it’s borderline a seasonal 911. I’m not exaggerating when I say that if I don’t put moisture on immediately, my face feels as tight and dry as a corn husk!
Dry skin is aging, and in the winter I swear I look ten years older if I don’t slather on a bucket of moisturizer. I can immediately see the different hydrated skin makes. My mission this winter has been to find hydrating products that REALLY work and that last ALL day, not just until they sink in. I feel like I’ve finally cracked the code for my skin and have developed a simple winter skincare routine that creates lasting hydration! You know that youthful glow we’re all seeking? It’s totally attainable, even over 50!
my simple winter skincare that gets the glow going:
my skincare routine:
- Double Cleanse: I’ve been hearing about the benefits of double cleansing but after trying a couple of greasy cleansing balms, I thought it wasn’t for me. That all changed with Prequel Pre-Clease Cleasing Oil. It’s lightweight and doesn’t leave my skin feeling like I just dunked face first into a vat of Crisco. I massage a couple of pumps into my skin for about 60 seconds to remove makeup, working it deep into my pores. This draws out dirt and debris without harsh, drying ingredients. Then I add a little water to suds it up, continuing to massage all over my face for a few more seconds. Next, I rinse my face and follow it with a gentle cleanser. OneSkin Prep is a perfect gentle cleanser that removes my eye makeup, along with any remaining residue.
The benefit of double cleansing is that the cleaner your skin, the better your other products can soak in and do their job. The oil cleanser also adds an extra opportunity for hydration. - Exfoliate: Two to three times a week, I soak a cotton round with Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and wipe all areas of my face and neck, avoiding the eye area, to remove every last bit of dirt and dead skin. Removing dull, dead skin is crucial for glowy skin and also helps with product effectiveness.
- Vitamin C Serum: Known for its glow-boosting properties, I recently learned that Vitamin C doesn’t play well with others, and works best when applied on dry skin before any other skincare products. I’m loving the Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum. It’s very affordable and developed by Dr. Samantha Ellis, a board-certified dermatologist. Definitely check out her Tiktok account–she shares amazing skincare tips!
- Toner: After letting my Vitamin C serum soak in for about 60 seconds, I apply the Byoma Hydrating Milky Toner. Of all my skincare products, this one is my HOLY GRAIL…it’s where the magic begins! I shake a generous amount in the palm of my hand, rub my hands together, and then pat it all over my face, pressing in and locking in the moisture. The effect is immediate. It literally feels like my face just took a long, tall drink of water!
- OneSkin OS-01 Face Topical Supplement: Part moisturizer, part anti-aging product, the OS-01 peptide is clinically proven to reverse skin’s biological age and strengthen the skin barrier. It works like retinol but without the drying, irritating effects. One pump is all it takes to lightly cover my face and neck.
- Moisturizer: In warmer months, I can skip this step, but finding an additional moisturizer that lasts all day has been the missing link in my routine. La Roche-Posay Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream is made for extra-dry skin like mine. It’s thick without being greasy and lasts all day. At night I slather it on, but for daytime, I squeeze just a pea-sized amount in my palm, rub my hands together, and lightly pat it on my face, concentrating on areas where I experience the most dryness.
- SPF: I absolutely love my Paula’s Choice Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum SPF30 tinted moisturizer. I’ve been using it for over ten years and there’s nothing I’ve found that I like better. The silky texture feels great and isn’t sticky at all.
- The “Glow”: For that extra dewy factor, I’ve been loving the Saie Glow Super Gel in Starglow. One tiny pump is all it takes for a sheer layer that adds a subtle, yet next level glow. Maybe I won’t need this in the summer, but in the winter I’ll take all the radiance I can get!
After my full winter skincare routine, I add makeup and I’m good to go! My dry skin issues were really doing a number on my confidence, and now that I’ve figured out how to keep my skin hydrated all day, I feel so much better! My skin is plumper, more youthful, and has an all-day radiance that I never thought I’d be able to achieve.
The key to glowy skin is that every step in a skincare routine should be hydrating, and that goes for makeup too. I go much lighter on the powder now and choose foundations and concealers that are moisturizing. That could be a whole other blog post right there lol!
When you look at your skin and see fine lines and wrinkles, ask yourself, are these the natural course of aging, or is it dry skin? Using products that plump and hydrate the skin makes a world of difference! Let me know in the comment if this Winter Skincare Routine roundup has been helpful!
xoxo Julie
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