Hey there! I had to take a long break from social media and this blog due to some health issues I’ll explain on another post, but I’m back, bitches! It’s been such a long time since I wrote a beauty-related post, so I’m very excited about this one – I’m sharing my daily skincare routine during winter!
You might be thinking, ugh another girl sharing her skincare routine. But, let me tell you why you should trust anything I recommend. I’m working on a more comprehensive blog post explaining this, but below is the short version.
A bit of insight about my skin, is that I have combination skin. Meaning that my T-zone is oily and the rest of my face is normal and sometimes dry. I don’t suffer from acne, however I do get occasional breakouts during that time of the month. I’ve been following this routine for a couple months now and it helps to keep my skin hydrated, glowy & healthy during the cold NYC winter.
Some of you might think it’s excessive to use all of these products, but I always prioritize skincare and I believe all of these steps are 100% worth it! Besides, this routine is maintainable – it only takes from 5 to 10 minutes.
MORNING SKINCARE ROUTINE
CLEANSING
I start my mornings by cleansing my skin. Sometimes I do not use any cleansers and wash my face with cold water only – I do this when my skin is feeling dry.
Anyways, I just started using the Squalane Cleanser from The Ordinary. And I love it! It is very gentle, but it removes my makeup completely without drying out my skin. It has a creamy consistency, but when you rub your hands together it turns into an oil and removes dirt and makeup. It is very affordable, vegan & cruelty-free, also available at Sephora!
Before, I was using the Blue Lagoon Foam Cleanser, which is one of my favorite cleansers. It smells heavenly and removes everything without leaving your skin dry. It is on the expensive side, but I think it’s worth it, especially if you have sensitive skin.
EXFOLIATE (not daily)
I only exfoliate once a week, otherwise my skin gets irritated. By exfoliating you get rid of dead skin cells and it leaves your skin feeling soft. I have been using the Hawaiian Detox Anti-Pollution Volcanic Clay Scrub by Alba Botanica, which also detoxifies your skin. I have been using it for months, but here is another alternative I used for years and it works amazingly: St. Ives Fresh Skin Face Scrub.
TONE
I alternate between two toners: the Pixi Beauty Vitamin C Tonic and the Dermatologica Clear Start Breakout Clearing All Over Toner. I use the Pixi Beauty one on a daily basis and the Dermatologica one only when I’m breaking out.
The Pixi beauty toner leaves your skin glowing and bouncy, it promotes collagen production and skin’s luminosity, while gently exfoliating your skin. I take a cotton pad and dab it on my face avoiding the eye area. The first time I used this toner, it sting a little but that is normal because it is a vitamin C toner. However, it shouldn’t sting to a point it hurts. If that happens stop using the product right away.
Like I said before, when I have breakouts I use the Dermatologica toner and it works wonders! It is somewhat harsh on the skin and leaves it feeling dry, but it effectively makes your breakouts go away fast and it prevents them from happening on the first place.
APPLY SERUM
After toners I apply my serum by dabbing my fingertips with the product on my face. I am currently using the Buffet Serum from The Ordinary, also available at Sephora. It targets signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. I know I am only 19 (almost 20), but prevention is so important! It is water-based, made for all skin types and the best part is that it is super affordable!
Recently, I have started using the Full Brow Serum from Provence Apothecary in hopes of making my brows look fuller and fingers crossed it actually works. I’ll definitely report back in a month or so, once I have a verdict and can see a result.
APPLY OILS
Because it’s winter I like to keep my skin extra moisturized and that’s why I apply The Rejuvenating + Hydrating Face Serum from Province Apothecary. Which technically is a serum but has an oily consistency. This is hands down one of the BEST products I’ve ever tried, it is on the expensive side but it is definitely worth its price. It is very lightweight and absorbs fast into the skin, while leaving it baby smooth, not to mention it smells amazing. It is anti aging and promotes skin’s elasticity.
I apply 3 drops on my face and massage it into my skin in circular motions. You’re supposed to wait 5-10 minutes before applying moisturizer and makeup, which I only do at night.
MOISTURIZE
Applying moisturizer, especially during the winter is very important. I just started using the Sebium Mat Control from Bioderma, since I have oily skin on my T-zone. This moisturizer reduces shine a bit and it takes a longer time for my skin to get oily and shiny again.
A moisturizer I highly recommend and have used for months is the Chok Chok Glowing Moisturizer from OH K! Beauty. This moisturizer is very gentle – suitable for sensitive skin, it hydrates and moisturizes, besides it smells great!
SUNSCREEN
Lastly, I apply sunscreen. It is so important to apply sunscreen daily, even if it’s cloudy and even during winter. Sunscreen prevents aging by protecting your skin from UV rays.
The sunscreen I use and absolutely love is the Full Spectrum 360° Sun Silk Drops Organic Sunscreen SPF 30 from Coola. It is definitely on the expensive side, but what I like about it is that it has a serum consistency and it is very lightweight. It absorbs into the skin very fast and it doesn’t leave a milky white trace. It protects against visible signs of aging caused by the sun, pollution, and digital overexposure. So, if you spend a ton of time in front of a screen, this protects your skin, as well. It also doubles as a primer, because it leaves your skin even and ready to apply foundation. It is vegan, cruelty free and comes in recyclable packaging. My only complaint is that it runs out fast, considering how expensive it is.
The Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen Lotion is another option. It is very lightweight and absorbs into the skin without leaving a white trace.
Related: 4 face masks under $20
NIGHTLY SKINCARE ROUTINE
At night I repeat almost all of the steps I do in the morning, with the exception of applying sunscreen. I also use the same products except for the moisturizer. At night, my routine goes as follows: cleanse, tone, apply serums & oils, moisturize, apply lip mask.
Right after applying my serums & oils, I apply the Rose Deep Hydration Moisturizer from Fresh Beauty. This is hands down the best night cream I have EVER tried. I can’t put into words how much I love this moisturizer. It leaves my skin feeling bouncy, hydrated and the next morning it always feels baby soft. I personally can’t stand products that are too heavy and feel greasy and this cream is super lightweight + absorbs fast into your skin and the fragrance makes me feel like I’m at a spa surrounded by roses. Since it is a intense moisturizer, I thought it would make my T-zone oilier, but it did not! I totally recommend it!
The last step of my nightly skincare routine is to apply a lip mask. I have been using the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask and I really like it. I have chapped lips, especially during winter and it helps a lot! However, I feel like you could get the same results by using a lip balm. It definitely depends on your budget, since the Laneige mask is $20
I have previously tried the Awake Lip Therapy Mask and also liked it. The only thing that I didn’t like as much was that it felt a bit sticky, but it did work and hydrated my lips so well! If I had to chose, I’d such the Laneige mask though!
And that is my skincare routine for winter! Thanks for reading and you can shop all the products mentioned below!
To shop, click over any product.
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