My friend and reader Liz left this comment on yesterday's post:
"My winter skin is absolutely parched and cracking. I desperately need an addition to my routine to add moisture back in. My trusted Shiseido isn't working well at present."Sounds familiar?
Winter skin is frustrating, uncomfortable, and generally not pretty. No matter if we spend a lot of time in the freezing and dry outdoors or in arid overheated rooms, the result is the same. So how do you battle it?
I haven't changed my skincare routine much, but for the last few winters I've been relying more heavily on Dr. Jart+ Sleep Mask, but I use it twice a day without rinsing. In the morning it's the last step after moisturizer (or sometimes just before. I can't say I'm keeping the order very religiously), and it makes a visible difference. In general, I think that masks are the answer, and if you can find 5-10 minutes at night to do an Asian paper mask (either pre-made or a DIY), things can improve dramatically. But no-rinse masks like Dr. Jart or the various ones from Sisley are even easier and completely fuss-free.
Do you have more tips and advice on dealing with winter skin? Please share with us!
Snow Queen illustration by Artuš Scheiner for Andersen's Fairy Tales, 1934.
I got that Dr. Jaart mask some weeks ago since am on tretinoin, plus the winter situation... Also read your review on it so seem like a great idea. Gotta say that has been an amazing idea. Use it every night on top of my whole skin care army, that and some Peter Thomas Roth Squalane oiless made my skin so plumped and healthy, I bare nitice im living in the tundra.
ReplyDeleteI've been using pure Argan oil in the evenings after removing my make up and although this hasn't been a particularly cold winter (I live in Germany) this is the first winter in a long time that my skin hasn't felt tight and dry. No breakouts either!
ReplyDeleteFor legs and arms, forget all the expensive creams. I have a huge tub of Vasoline on my radiator in the bathroom. After I shower, I take equal amounts of the softened (and sometimes melted depending on how high the radiator is on)Vaseline and Cetaphil lotion, rub them together in my hands and use on all the driest parts of my body. I have never had softer skin.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to the commenter above, I just add oil to my regular moisturizer. I use jojoba oil or argan oil or the Badger rose face oil, and add it to Olay Microsculpting cream. And then I use Shea Moisture oil or Tom Ford Neroli Portofino oil on my legs and arms, and then for the final step I have a homemade blend of castor/sweet almond/avocado oil that I put on my lashes. (Yes, my evening oil routine is completely out of hand.)
ReplyDeleteI've added oil as well (Paula's Choice Resist Oil Booster). I add a few drops to my moisturizer morning and evening and sometimes add a drop or two to foundation, depending upon the wind chill. It's made quite a bit of difference - no flakes (and no break-outs either!).
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for Argan oil for the face. Though something like camellia oil (camellia oliefera) might be more hydrating for the winter. And whipped unrefined shea. Always!. I love using an unscented whipped shea on my face at night.
ReplyDeleteI love the Sisley Black Rose Oil between my serum and moisturiser, the Black Rose Mask as a night cream a few nights a week.....but when all else failed I cracked out the Sisley Creme Reparatrice and currently my skin is comfy again! I usually have a La Mer routine and oily skin, but I was seriously getting dandruff falling off my face. Not a pretty image, it wasn't a pretty look either :-O
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that moisturizer doesn't add moisture, it just holds in what is already there. I have always misted my face with water (just because it felt good) before I added any moisturizer. Moisturizer always seems to go on smoother and my skin feels softer. I actually saw this in a magazine about skin care a couple of years ago. I thought "Hey - I thought of it first!"
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else has said, oil is critical to keeping my dry skin functioning. I live in a dry, cold climate (northern New England) and have dry skin year round, but the winter is particularly hellish. The best oil I've found for my needs is Snowberry's massage oil. Their regular serums don't work for me, but that massage oil is my HG. (I can't tolerate jojoba or coconut.) I also think my general regimen helps keep my skin from being too miserable. After cleansing I use either an acid toner (like BR P50) or Sunday Riley Good Genes. Those make all the difference in keeping my skin bright and more receptive to moisture. Then I use a hyaluronic acid serum called Moisture Magnet followed by the Snowberry oil. THEN eye cream/moisturizer. Using all those things really keeps my skin happy, but I think the keys are the acid step and--like everyone else has said--the oil.
ReplyDeleteLike nearly everyone above I'm all about the oils topically but also upping your intake of Omegas really does make a difference. For the body don't scrub skin or use too hot water, tempting as it is, I rub coconut oil on BEFORE I get out of the shower - it seals in moisture then pat skin dry and moisturise.
ReplyDeleteAlso second Marsha and SosuSam - I usually apply oil to moist skin- usually Rose Water followed by a Hyaluronic acid serum
ReplyDeleteHey Lavanya: Victoria from Bois de Jasmin recommended applying sweet almond oil (or whatever oil you like) when you turn the shower off and before you use the towel. I started this and it's wonderful.
DeleteHey Marsha! I do that with body oils too! so much more fun than using lotion no?
DeleteAbsolutely! And I've not had a single bit of trouble with dry skin this winter because of this tip. In the past, the skin on my shins used to itch so much that I would scratch until, well, use your imagination. No trouble at all after doing this!
DeleteI have been using facial oils from Mountain Rose Herbs. (https://www.mountainroseherbs.com) I am not affiliated, just like their products. And drinking more water!
ReplyDeleteNatural beeswax cream with extra virgin olive oil forms a satisfying barrier against cold weather. I use a moisturising waxcream from a monastery on Mount Athos.
ReplyDeleteOils are the answer to dry and oily skin alike. Not all of them are moisturising. For example, I find hazelnut oil is astringent. Coconut oil and shea butter are too greasy and my skin reacts mildly. You have mentioned your allergy to coconut oil. I would suggest good quality unrefined cocoa butter. It is solid in room temperature. You need to warm it between your palms. I warm mine along with a spray of pure Bulgarian lavender water. I apply on the eyes, eye area and lips as well. This combination relieves any flaky or itchy area on my body, as well.
Oh, what a cold winter! The North hemisphere has been very chilly this year. I look forward to a temperate Spring.
I love emu oil nd Shea butter!
ReplyDeleteMost of the year, my skin care is very simple, but on the coldest days of January and February, I have to bring out the Crème de la Mer. I'm also finding L'Occitane Whipped Hand Cream useful (25% shea butter) useful. Occasionally, my feet start to get rough, and then I apply Bert's Bees Coconut Foot Cream before I go to sleep. One to three nights of that and my feet are back to normal. This may be the single most effective cosmetic I have ever encountered. nozknoz
ReplyDeleteLove the illustration!
ReplyDeleteThere are some great ideas here! Thank you Gaia for posting the question!
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