As much as I try to take care of my skin all year round, I always need to step it up during the winter months. My skin really struggles during the winter, and there are a few things to blame for this. Firstly, I live in a very hot and humid country and going back home at Christmas time involves a lot of flying (to see both Dan’s family in London and mine in Ireland) – and everyone knows how tough flying is on your skin! Coupled with the travelling aspect, there is the extreme weather change from hot and humid to rain, wind and frost for my skin to deal with. This is probably the worst combination of factors for anybody’s skin, but it is a great excuse for me to up my skincare routine, which I am always more than happy to do :).
When it comes to winter skincare, I have six absolute essentials. These are the products that I swear by in the winter months, and they really help my skin to remain as good as it can be given the conditions. For me, winter skincare is all about packing on the balms and oils, and locking in as much moisture as is physically possible! The following six items certainly do this for me…….
1) Glossier Moisturising Moon Mask (link)
Finding a great moisturising mask can be quite tricky, but it is absolutely essential! Using a moisturising mask can make your life so much easier when it comes to caring for your skin in winter. It’s like giving your skin a head start. If you are like me, then your skin will be extra dry and sensitive in the winter and no matter what you do, your skin just won’t look good. Well, if you get into a routine of using a moisturising mask once or twice a week the benefits will really pay off. Keeping your skin moisturised is the biggest battle in winter, and if you can get this under control then you are winning! The rest of your products will work so much better on your skin if it is already somewhat hydrated and cared for. I must admit that I have always found it quite hard to find a really good moisturising mask. They just don’t seem to do what they promise. That was until I discovered the Glossier Moisturising Moon Mask. Now, I know Glossier has taken the beauty world by a storm this year, and most people are probably sick to death of hearing about it, but I for one am a really big fan of most of their products. I honestly believe that the Moisturising Moon Mask is worth all of the hype and more! It is, by far, the most moisturising mask I have ever (EVER) tried!! It is marketed as an ‘intensely hydrating treatment’ and that’s exactly what it is. It contains sweet almond oil and hyaluronic acid to help plump skin with hydration and smooth the appearance of fine lines and restore elasticity. The mask also contains liquorice root and lemon fruit extract which work to brighten and even out complexion, while the honey and aloe in the mask help to sooth your skin. I have been using the mask for a couple of months now and I am genuinely obsessed with it. The mask has a thick cream consistency and I try to use it about twice a week. I apply a thick layer and leave it to soak in for about 20-30 minutes before rinsing off. You will not believe how good your skin will feel afterwards!
2) Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm (link)
I feel like a broken record when it comes to talking about this cleanser, but it deserves all of the attention I give it. I talked about it in my Christmas Gift Guide (which you can read here) so I won’t go into too much detail, but this balm cleanser is hands down my favourite cleanser, especially in the winter months. It is packed full of amazing nourishing ingredients which make my skin feel moisturised and hydrated. This is exactly what I want from a cleanser in the winter. It is a pleasure to use and smells amazing! It feels like a real treat for your skin, especially when it is feeling dry and dehydrated because of the colder weather. This honestly leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated even before putting on a moisturiser. It’s amazing!
3) Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist (link)
Staying on the hydrating and moisturising theme, I absolutely love this Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist. I am such a fan of facial mists in general as I think they can provide an instant boost of moisture which feels amazing on your skin. This Pixi one is the absolute PERFECT facial mist for winter as it contains hyaluronic acid which helps to plump the skin and provides an instant surge of hydration. It is marketed as ‘a deeply hydrating mist that provides an invisible layer of skin-soothers, making it the ultimate remedy for dry skin’. I like to use this mist after I cleanse and before I use an oil, serum or moisturiser. It is very gentle and suits all skin types. It also provides the perfect base for makeup application. The mist is very fine and it applies very gently to the skin, making it feel hydrated and nourished. On days where my skin feels very dry, I will just mist this on top of my makeup throughout the day for an instant boost of moisture. It feels so lovely and refreshing and is full of great ingredients. I’m obsessed!
4) Pai Rosehip Oil (link)
During the winter I really like to use a facial oil before bed, rather than just a moisturiser. Facial oils really help my skin to feel so moisturised and nourished. They really do the best job at locking in moisture and they feel so luxurious on my skin. There is a very common misconception that facial oil is only for people with dry skin and that oil skinned people should stay away. This is not the case whatsoever!! If you starve your skin of oils then it will over produce to make up for the imbalance, but if you add oil onto it, then it will balance out the oil levels and you will see the benefits instead. I have tried many facial oils but my favourite one to use in the winter months is the Pai Rosehip Oil. It contains organic Rosehip Fruit and Seed Oil, which aids essential overnight regeneration and intensely nourishes my skin. This highly concentrated blend of Rosehip Oil helps to improve dryness, blemishes, dull skin, fine lines and scaring. I like to apply this right before bed after cleansing and in the morning my skin feels so incredibly moisturised. It has a very strong black tea scent but I don’t mind that. As you can see from the image, mine is practically empty! Time to re-stock! Trilogy and Kiehl’s also do amazing facial oils – Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate is an amazing cult product and is perfect for use all year round.
5) Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment (link)
Another Kiehl’s cult product is their Creamy Eye Treatment with avocado. Because the skin around my eyes is very prone to dryness in winter, I want an eye cream that is thick and hydrating and that’s exactly what this one is. This is an eye cream that I have been using on and off for years and I go back to it often because it is uncomplicated and gets the job done. It includes Beta Carotene, Shea Butter and Avocado Oil for skin hydration. This eye cream can be used day or night, but I prefer to use something lighter in the day time and save this thicker, more nourishing one for the evening. I am always on the look out for new eye creams so please let me know if you have any recommendations.
6) Bobbi Brown Lip Balm SPF 15 (link)
This won’t come as a surprise to anyone, but a good lip balm is hands down my number one essential for winter time. I have quite dry lips all year round, but when I go back home in the winter, they become a whole new level of dry and you will never find me without a lip balm! I have tonnes of favourites, but the one I love most in the colder months is Bobby Brown’s lip balm with SPF 15. It is formulated with wheat germ, avocado and olive oils and has a thick, waxy consistency that lasts so well on my lips. It is non greasy and sticky, and is very comfortable to wear. It does a great job at keeping my lips moisturised when it is freezing cold outside. Plus it contains SPF which is good all year round!
That’s its for my six absolute winter skincare essentials. I’d love to hear what your winter essentials are too 🙂 – let me know in the comments section below.
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