Winter (skincare) Is Coming
Question: Are Game of Thrones references getting too old? Because Winter is coming and I can’t even think that phrase without hearing Jon Snow’s voice.
Anyway, does your skin freak out a little when the seasons change? As we move into winter it can be a rough time of year especially for the dry/dehydrated/sensitive types. But I hear a lot from people dealing with all kinds of skin issues saying their skin gets finicky anytime the seasons change. I’m one of those people 🙋🏼♀️ So how can you prepare for winter? If you know you need a change to something more suitable for Winter or just want to switch it up, here are some recommendations from lines I use and trust:
Cleansers:
Gentle cleansers good for sensitive skin are typically great for this time of year for many skin types. After you wash your face, if it feels tight and dry, it may be time to look for a new cleanser.
My top picks: Blissoma Skin’s Fresh or Free Facial Cleansers. Fresh is a creamy cleanser, that many of my clients love. It smells amazing and leaves your skin feeling cooled and calmed. The Free Cleanser is a gel, suitable for all skin types including sensitive, bonus it acts as an eye makeup remover too.
Chemist Confessions wins for most efficient & affordable with their Blank Slate PH Balanced Gel Cleanser, it should work for all skin types but beware if you have dry skin in the winter a cream or oil cleanser may be better for this time period.
Code of Harmony OCD Cleansing Oil is one of my favorite cleansing oils. Thats because when you apply a thin layer on your skin and then apply a little bit of water you can see it start to emulsify and know the grime and/or makeup from the day is being washed off. The same goes for Marie Veronique’s Pure & E.O. Free Oil Cleanser, this is an oil cleanser great for all skin types but especially sensitive skin.
Hydration:
If you are dealing with dehydrated skin, you need something hydrating, makes sense right. Usually humectants or some type of water based solution will be helpful here. Oils and oil blends won’t do much for you if you have dehydrated or dry skin without some type of hydration applied first.
Chemist Confessions- Aquafix Hydrating Water Gel. gel toner good for all skin types. I love this product. I recommend it to clients all the time for it’s straightforward formula, price point and ability to hydrate snd calm the skin.
Storyderm- Time Machine Aqua, best for sensitive and dry skin. It smells so good, client’s will be relaxing mid facial to stop and ask what I’m using. A good amount of humectants and suitable for sensitive and acne prone skin.
Lark Skin Co- Aloe & Lime Toner, good for oily skin types. This is a little more on the astringent side so if you are dealing with break outs or want oil control it may be a good option.
Blissoma Skin-Serene Sacred Tonique, this is a water based infusion with fresh herbs, no ethyl alcohols and includes MSM a sulfur based ingredient good for redness and blemishes. It’s gentle and is great for sensitive skin types as well as all skin types.
Something to note for water based toners or mists, spray them on and press into your skin, then spray on another layer or two. Press these into the skin for better results.
Serums:
I have been digging into and testing out a lot of serums from my professional grade Korean skincare collection. I’ve been having good results and am incorporating new options into my backbar as I learn and understand the two lines I use (Storyderm and Isov) even more. Korean skincare is some of the most innovative in the world, here are a few of my current favorites for winter along with my favorite anti-oxidant serum from Blissoma as well.
Isov Skincare- Complex Repair Serum, a thin gel based serum best for irritated, barrier impaired skin. A serum that focuses on barrier repair? Yes please, it’s also lightly scented and a lightweight formula great as a first step after toning and layering a moisturizer on top.
Isov Skincare- Oligo Serum, best for normal to dry skin types. This has gel/oil texture that I love. It starts out feeling like a lightweight gel but then applies more so like an oil. I absolutely love it, especially when you want a dewy look for the day or underneath makeup.
Blissoma Skincare- Aura Brightening Serum, best for all skin types especially sensitive. It’s an anti-oxidant serum, feels like a lotion but definitely contains some oils for a smooth finish but again not too greasy or heavy. It contains a Vitamin C derivative, so if you know you are sensitive to L-Ascorbic Acid as your Vitamin C option, this is a great choice.
Honorable Mention- I’m not sure if this falls under a serum or moisturizer but I’m going to add this here. Storyderm’s Osmocell Snail Mucin. Best for barrier repair, hydration and moisturizing for all skin types. May also help w/ hyperpigmentation over time. Client’s have loved this option to use at home. If you’ve never tried snail mucin before, yes I know it sounds a little iffy, but it’s been a wonderful addition to my routine and backbar in the treatment room.
Exfoliators:
Exfoliation can help speed up cell turnover giving skin a smoother looking appearance plus some really do help unclog pores. The catch is we don’t want to over exfoliate, this can do more harm than good over time. It can cause a disruption to the skin’s barrier making it more prone to sensitivity and irritation. I usually suggest exfoliating either once a week or once every other week depending on the skin type and product used.
Chemist Confessions- The Specialist Exfoliating Treatment, best for oily/acne prone skin, contains a Mandelic/Saliycilic Acid & Niacinimide blend. I would suggest starting with using twice a month and bumping up to once a week if you can tolerate. Chemist Confession’s website does a great job explaining the different ways you can use this. Same goes with their Baby Steps Exfoliating Treatment good for anyone with sensitive skin or new to chemical exfoliants. Contains Gluconolactone & Lactic Acid, I sometimes personally use this as a spot treatment but beware because it’s sticky so you don’t need a whole lot.
Blissoma Skin- Good Earth Exfoliant, best physical & enzyme exfoliant, good for all skin types. This comes in a powder form and you blend with water in your hand to form a paste. Provides gentle physical exfoliation in the form of a scrub but also contains fruit enzymes and anti-inflammatory ingredients. I would suggest using this once a week.
Moisturizers:
One of the last steps of your routine, you’re sealing everything in and heading out for the day or getting ready for bed at night. I suggest moisturizing morning and evening, it can be two separate products with two different purposes or you can use one moisturizer day and night, it really just depends on your goals and preferences.
Storyderm A-Z Cream or Isov Meso Fills Cream, best for mature/dry skin types. Both contain a healthy dose of peptides and the ISOV Meso contains PLLA, an advanced anti-aging ingredient that’s a great collagen booster, good for elasticity and dermal thickener when used consistently. The A-Z Cream is a lotion consistency and the Isov is a cream.
Blissoma Skin- Pure Moisturizer, best for sensitive skin, this unscented and buttery lotion is one of my favorites for client’s dealing with sensitive or inflamed skin. It’s soothing and also good for dry skin types as well.
Chemist Confessions- Mr Reliable, best for all skin types but I typically recommend for oily/acne prone skin. Lightweight and layers well over any serums or under any face oils.
Face oils:
Blissoma- Restore Omega Miracle Face Oil, for normal/dry skin, over ten cold pressed seed oils offer an intense boost of natural vitamins and phytonutrients, among my favorites included in this recipe: SeaBuckthorn oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Pomegranate Oil and Cranberry Seed oil.
Flawless Clear Condition Face Oil, for normal/acne prone. This oil blend contains super absorbent oils. It’s a little lighter than Restore, mentioned above, and contains Hemp Seed Oil as a main ingredient.
Lark’s Coffee Avocado Under Eye Oil, roll on oil serum for the eye area. I love the delivery of this product as it comes in a tube with a little roller ball. Easy to apply, easy to travel with and provides some good moisture around the eye area for the winter months.
Sunscreen:
Yes, still use sunscreen in the Winter. This probably deserves an entire post on it’s own. I’ll list some of my faves:
Storyderm Super Ultra Nutrition SPF 50- best all around
Blissoma Photonic SPF 25- best natural option
Elta MD- a range of options
Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30- best for leaving no white cast
I hope this info is helpful. Most of these options can be found online or through my business, Moonlight Rituals. The Storyderm and Isov collections have been curated by me and cannot be found online regardless as they are only sold to licensed professionals, please feel free to email me at Lauren@moonlightrituals.com if you would like more info on Storyderm or Isov products.