My Updated Winter Skincare Routine - What's stayed the same and what's changed
It’s officially winter here in Chicago. The season has played chicken with us for a bit and lulled us into a false sense of security with mild temps, but those days are over. And my skin is feeling it . My winter skincare routine is not that different from my summer one with the exception of how much I hydrate my skin. I have oily/dehydrated skin that is sensitive and acne-prone so this leaves me with a specific set of issues that I need to address and watch out for. My skincare journey is currently in a state of flux since my skin has gotten used to certain products and I am no longer seeing the results from them I once was. And so I am slowly replacing them with other things or swapping them out temporarily. My main skincare goals are: maintain clear skin, balance oil production and hydration, minimize texture, reduce dark spots and acne scars (I am also looking into micro-needling to help with this) and reduce under eye puffiness. Though I am 38 I am not overly concerned about anti-aging as I don’t have many visible wrinkles (knock on wood). But I feel that a lot of what I use addresses anti-aging anyway though that is not my main purpose for using them. My winter skin care is all about balancing actives like retinols, AHAs and Vitamin C with lots of hydration.
AM Routine
Le Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water Spray (not pictured)
Sunprise by Etude House Sunscreen SP 50++ (not pictured)
My AM routine has recently changed quite a bit. I used to use mjy Differin at night but have switched it to my morning routine. I have also recently added the Biossance Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel in hopes of combating the under eye puffiness that plagues me due to sinus issues. I have only been using this a few days but wanted to include it (so far I haven’t noticed much of a difference) I have also at the advice of an aesthetician flipped the order in which I apply my Vitamin C serum. I used to apply it before moisturizer but she suggested applying it after. As I sated earlier, my skin is in a state of flux and I am experimenting with not only what I sue but what order to give my skin the optimum benefits of each item.
PM Routine
Vanicream Cleanser
Le Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water Spray
The Ordinary Marine Hyaluronics Acid
Biossance Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel
Ole Henriksen Sheer Perfecting Moisturizer
The Ordinary Rosehip Seed Oil
A recent addition to my night time routine has been the Ole Henriksen Glow 2OH Dark Spot Toner. This toner has been advertised everywhere on social media lately and my curiosity got the better of me. I’ve been using it for about two weeks now and so far I like it. My skin has felt softer and smoother but I haven’t noticed any difference as far as dark spots and scars fading. We shall see. When I got the Biossance Eye Gel I also got a small sample of the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil which I plan on trying soon. I am looking to swap out my The Ordinary Rosehip Seed Oil. I have been using it for about a year now and am looking to dabble in other face oils. The Biossance one has the added benefit of Vitamin C as well. Because my skin is so sensitive I only add one new item to my routine at a time. I like to wait about two weeks between new products (I made an exception for the Biossance eye gel since I am only applying it to my under eye area). This gives the skin a chance to acclimate to the new product (especially if it has actives in it) and if I have a reaction I don’t have to guess which product is the culprit.
What are some of your favorite skin care products to use in the winter? Also…face oils! I am on the look out for new ones so let me know of any suggestions you have in the comments!
