My Winter Skincare Routine

How I’ve achieved my best winter skincare routine.

I’m so excited to share with you my full winter skincare routine, including bath and body products. When I look back on previous winter skincare routines, I notice I was never truly dedicated to following a routine (which is why I was always dealing with dry and rough skin. I also wasn’t taking care of myself. Nowadays, I’m going to OrangeTheory once a week, eating healthy and nutritious meals and drinking LOTS of water. I’m a firm believer in great skin starts from within but if you must know, these are the products I use in my winter skincare routine.

Starting with a good cleanser…

Glossier Milky Jelly has been my go-to for the last two years or so. I think I’m on my 4^th or 5^th refill. The conditioning ingredients in this cleanser make my skin feel so soft and clean after using. I even scooped up a travel size version so I don’t have to keep using sample packets. I keep a bottle in my shower and use this in the mornings and evenings.

When I exfoliate…

I use a chemical exfoliator twice a week. Prior to Glossier Solution, I was using a drugstore exfoliating scrub and over time, I noticed my skin was getting more and more irritated. It wasn’t until I got a facial at Bluemercury when an aesthetician told me I needed to switch to a chemical exfoliator. What a difference!  

Serums

On evenings that I exfoliate, I’ll wait a few minutes and then apply three drops of Glossier Super Bounce—a serum with Hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5. When I feel like a breakout is coming, I’ll apply Super Pure with it.

My favorite brightening serum (that also combats dark spots) is this Vinoperfect Radiance Serum—I usually apply this in the morning after cleansing for an extra boost under my makeup. I love that how lightweight it feels and how quickly it dries. It’s pricey, so I recommend waiting for another Sephora Beauty Insider sale.

On days when I’m dealing with a lack of sleep and stress from work, I’ll apply the Caudalie Overnight Detox Oil before bed. When I wake up in the morning, it’s as if my skin awoke from a deep slumber and looks refreshed.

Moisturizers

I rotate between a few different moisturizers depending on my mood and how my skin is feeling.

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet is my go-to during the spring and summer months. It’s a little too lightweight for my winter skincare routine; however, when I apply the Overnight Detox Oil, I’ll apply this on top. This might sound weird but, I just feel better using the same brand of products together. Is it a superstitious thing? No, just a random theory that I have.

Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich is basically my holy grail moisturizer and primer during the winter months. I love to slather this on my face in the morning, I love how silky it feels.

Weleda Skin Food is the newest addition to my skincare routine. ITG says it’s the $10 dupe to La Mer and after using it I understand why. The formula is super thick—like SUPER thick. I’ll apply this before bed and when I wake up, I swear my skin looks fresh and dewy and hydrated. My only drawback is how thick it is. I don’t apply this every night. I switch between this and the Glossier moisturizer. I’m thinking about mixing this with an oil to make it a little easier to apply. Thoughts?

I feel like using sun protection in the winter is often forgotten—but not this routine! If I’m going to be in my car for long periods of time, I like to wear Alchimie Forever Protective Day Cream SPF 23. It’s lightweight, doubles as a moisturizer and will definitely take me into the warmer months.

I keep so many different lip treatments in my purse, on my nightstand, at work… but I would say my absolute favorite is my Glossier Rose Balm Dotcom.

Masks

I love masking—it’s my favorite thing to do while I lounge around and binge Netflix shows.

I used to be really into sheet masks but it got expensive so I went back to my Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask. Twenty minutes of this and my skin feels refreshed and happy.

For under eye treatments, I live for Peter Thomas Roth Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches. I think the directions call for 10-15 minutes but I’ll leave these on for 20-30 and that’s when I actually notice a difference.

This Caudalie Glycolic Peel is great for removing black heads and congestion around the sides of my nose and chin in the most gentle way possible.

And I can’t forget about my Foreo UFO Mini! This is my favorite skincare device and I love using this after a long day of work before bed. It’s a quick, 2-minute mask that works wonders.

Body Care

I’m a sucker for hot showers but the downfall is dry skin. I use 2-3 pumps of Body Hero Oil Wash while I’m in the shower and I swear, my skin has never felt softer after using this. The scent is also a strong orange scent. Paired with the Body Hero Lotion, my skin feels hydrated and has a beautiful dewy sheen to it.

I exfoliate 2-3 times a week with Herbivore Coco Rose Oil Body Polish. Compared to other high-end body scrubs this one is my favorite. I’m obsessed with the texture, and how it simultaneously sloughs away dead skin while moisturizing it at the same time.

I started using Lavanila Deodorant and it’s been a total game changer when it comes to my personal hygiene. I’m embarrassed I was using drugstore deodorant for so long (aluminum in my deodorant—no thanks!).

As for hand cream, I’ve been trying out a few different drugstore brands. Right now I’m kind of obsessed with my Eucerin Hand Creme, so much so that I think I need to scoop up a second tube for my nightstand.

Face Mists

This might sound like an unpopular opinion but even as a beauty blogger I never understood the obsession with face mists. That said, I think it just took a while for me to find something that worked for me. I currently use two face mists for two different purposes.

The Daily Dew Mist is the perfect pick-me-up for my dry skin. I’m always trying to achieve that dewy look and I like that I can spritz this on makeup looks without making me look oily.

I use my Beauty Elixir more as a toning mist rather than a makeup setting spray. I’ll spritz this on the day I don’t exfoliate. I really enjoy the cooling effect it has but it’s overpriced—definitely a luxury purchase.

There is one other products not pictured that I think are just as important—if not more important—than my entire skincare collection combined.

I’ve had my Dyson Humidifier for three years now and using this in the winter is vital to retaining my skin’s natural moisture. You can read more about its health and beauty benefits in a previous blog post here.

I’d love to know if you’ve been sticking to a solid winter skincare routine. Any great product recommendations? Let me know in the comments!