Now that winter is finally here, it’s time to upgrade your skincare routine to help combat the dry, cold weather. Exfoliating, keeping your skin hydrated, and moisturized, with the best winter skin care products, will help you maintain a radiant glow during the gloomiest months. Whether you have dry skin, combination skin, or oily skin, these 10 products will keep you shining throughout the holidays. I have been using and loving these high quality skin care products to help my skin survive the winter! If you’re looking for products that work right away and have lasting results, keep reading!
1. Cleanse with The INKEY Acne Solution Face Cleanser
I was first introduced to the INKEY List acne cleanser when they asked me to take a six-week challenge, documenting my face before and after using the product. When I first started, my face was really inflamed and I had bad cystic acne that would not go away. It was also very painful. However, after using the product for just six weeks, I noticed great improvement. The acne started to clear up and eventually disappeared altogether. I was so impressed with the results that I continue to use it and recommend it to others all the time. This gentle cleanser has been a lifesaver for my skin.
In the winter, my skin tends to get more dry and sensitive, but this cleanser has helped to keep my skin clear and bright. It’s also gentle enough to use on a daily basis. It battles acne prone skin or blemishes while keeping your skin’s pH balance maintained. The 5% Benzoyl Peroxide in The INKEY List SuperSolutions kills bacteria that may cause acne, and exfoliates by helping your pores shed dead skin cells faster which gets rid of blemishes and leaves your skin rejuvenated and fresh. When trying to heal your skin during the winter, it’s important to switch to a calming cleanser that doesn’t strip away much needed moisture.
Related: The Truth About INKEY List SuperSolutions 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cleanser
2. Exfoliate: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator
Exfoliating is key in any skincare routine, but it’s especially important in the winter when your skin is extra dry and needs a boost. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator contains natural ingredients like rice-based powder which releases salicylic acid to help balance uneven skin tone, Tea tree oil that clears the skin while being anti-inflammatory, and colloidal oatmeal to help calm sensitive skin. It is paraben -free making it less harsh and leaves my skin feeling baby-soft afterwards thus making it one of my must-have micorfoliants in my skincare routine.
Related: Get Clear Skin with Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator (Paraben Free)
3. Nourish with The INKEY List SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum
I love using The Inkey List SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum because it helps to calm and soothe my skin, while also working to reduce the appearance of blemishes and redness. It’s a great serum to use during winter when my skin is feeling extra sensitive and irritated. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that offers a variety of benefits for the skin. It helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and can also help to improve the appearance of wrinkles and uneven skin tone.
Since I’ve started using niacinamide in my skin care routine, I’ve definitely noticed a difference in my skin’s texture. It feels smoother and softer, and my acne scars seem to be fading. The serum is lightweight and hydrating, and it has helped heal and treat my acne over time. I never miss a day of applying niacinamide, because it works so well. It’s become an essential part of my skin care routine, and I would never want to go without it!
4. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer
If you’re trying to keep your skin moisturized but don’t like a greasy residue this is the perfect product. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains alpha and beta hydroxy acids to help gently exfoliate the skin while also hydrating it deeply. It contains willow bark extract to brighten discoloration and dull-looking skin and combines it with hydrating ingredients enhancing smooth and soft skin.
5. Seal in moisture: Sunday Riley UFO Oil.
This oil is super light yet incredibly nourishing, making it perfect for wintertime use. It contains 1% retinol to help fight fine lines and wrinkles, as well as vitamin C to brighten the skin. Using Sunday Riley UFO Oil to seal after your moisturizer will leave your skin nourished and rejuvenated. I like to pamper myself at night giving my skin the chance to soak up nutritional facial oil while sleeping. This will have you waking up with bright, glowing skin that’s ready to tackle the cold during the day.
6. Protect with La Mer The SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid
Even when the sun is minimal, like during the winter months, the sun rays can still damage your skin. A quality sunscreen needs to be worn all year long and be reapplied on a consistent basis. I like to top off my skincare routine with a good sunscreen, but certain sunscreens get greasy after being on the skin too long and leave a residue. I find that La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Protecting Fluid is perfect for wearing over my moisturizer and under makeup in the winter; it gives the most wonderful glow to my skin because the formula infuses the skin with the cell renewing energies. It is a chemical sunscreen so it does not leave a white cast and absorbs quickly. You don’t need much; just apply a dime-sized amount to your face and neck.
7. The eyes: Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening + Depuffing Eye Cream
So far we’ve gone through the simple steps of my skincare routine like cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and seal, but the skin around the eye is very delicate and needs extra care as well. I am very prone to dark circles under my eyes, so I need a good eye cream and this one lives up to its promises. It instantly brightens and depuffs tired-looking eyes, while rapidly reducing the appearance of dark circles and fine lines. The caffeine and Brazilian ginseng root extract in the eye cream are active ingredients that reduce puffiness and dark circles.
If you’re looking for an eye cream that really works, then I highly recommend Auto Correct! Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening + Depuffing Eye Cream for Dark Circles has been in my winter skincare routine because it tightens and lifts the eye area, reduces the look of dark circles and diminishes puffiness. I came across this Auto Correct Brightening + Depuffing Eye Cream for Dark Circles when I was browsing Sephora for new beauty products. When I spotted the product in the Sunday Riley aisle, the name caught my eye. I was intrigued by the claim that it could brighten the look of dark circles in 10 minutes, so I decided to give it a try. And I’m so glad I did!
8. The eyes: Shiseido Benefiance Smoothing Eye Mask
These eye masks are soaked in a serum that contains pure retinol, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and laugh lines. The eyes are the window to the soul and it’s an area on the face that you shouldn’t skimp on when it comes to anti-aging. You don’t have to wait for lines or wrinkles to appear before starting to use retinol. If you notice bags or dark circles, using a mask with retinol can help reduce the appearance of lines and brighten your skin. I told myself that I would want to invest more in this area because I definitely want to do all that I can to prevent wrinkles, crows feet and also just give my eyes an overall refreshed looking appearance. Plus, who doesn’t love an excuse to put eye masks on their eyes?
I picked up the Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask during the Sephora sale randomly because I’m such a sucker for eye masks. But in all seriousness, these patches really did brighten and smooth the appearance of my under-eyes. After just one use, my skin looked significantly more hydrated and plump around my eyes. My fine lines were visibly softened and my under-eye bags were non-existent. I like to use this Smoothing Eye Mask once or twice a week for an extra boost of anti-aging power. Overall, I was really impressed with how well these worked and I recently just repurchased a 12-pack when I ran out.
9. Moisturize lips with La Mer The Lip Volumizer
Don’t forget about hydrating your lips! If you’re looking to treat dry or cracked lips, this is one of the best products for hydrating and also getting fuller lips. It will last you because you don’t have to use much to see results. Apply it 1 to 3 times a day as a lip balm or use it as a lip treatment. La mer contains peony extract to plumb up your lips while leaving it with a refreshing tint. My lips always get super dry in the winter, so I make sure to carry this hydrating lip volumizer around even after I complete my daily skin care routine.
10. Weekly Deep Cleanse: Caudalie Pore Minimizing Instant Detox Mask
Certain masks and formulas can be too drying in the winter months, but it is still important to treat your skin with a mask. Leaving exfoliating or a hydrating mask out of your skincare routine this winter will only clog your pores and damage your skin in the long run. Clogged pores are one of my main skin concerns, so I like to use this detox mask once or twice a week at really any time of the year. Using a mask like Caudalie Pore Minimizing Instant Detox Mask, with antioxidant benefits that can help limit sebum oxidation responsible for blackheads, will have lasting positive results on your skin. This face mask also contains clay and zinc oxide to draw out impurities and shrink the appearance of pores within 10 minutes!
This list will have you prepared for the harsh winter months to come and have your skin glowing throughout the whole holiday season. These are just some of the products that have been helping me combat dryness and dullness this winter! What products are you using in your winter skincare routine? Do you change up your skincare routine as the seasons change? Let me know in the comments below! Stay safe and stay warm!