Winter-ize your beauty routine

[skincare_expert]

I may be a little late to the game, but I'm still mourning the passing of summer. As the weather goes through some schizophrenic swings trying to find its new personality, I'm busy preparing myself - and my beauty routine - for chillier days ahead. Here are some tips to stop living in the (sunny) past and ease into winter with glowingly beautiful

Comments

[jadorelefromage]

yes, hot water is bad for your skin. i bathe (and wash my face) with coconut oil and cool water and when i get out of the shower i just dry off but there is still some coconut oil residue, just enough to moisturize but not enough to be greasy. coconut oil is the best thing that's ever happened to my skin!!

[skincare_expert]

that sounds wonderful! i've used coconut oil for my hair, but haven't tried it on my skin yet. i tend to have dry skin on my legs in particular, so i think i'll add this to my bath/shower routine. what sort of changes do you notice in your skin since adding coconut oil?

[jadorelefromage]

well i have completely stopped breaking out and my skin is just nice and softer in general!

[skincare_expert]

Wonderful! I used to use jojoba oil on my skin instead of cleanser, but in the warmer months it made my skin too oily. I'll try coconut this winter. :) Do you ever use regular cleanser these days?

[lisbet]

Thanks for the reminder about the exfoliators. I have some, but always forget to use them.

I'm already feeling the dry facial skin & tightness due to climate/seasonal changes, and have had to step up my moisturizers.

[skincare_expert]

You're welcome! I've been feeling the same way. What kind of moisturizers are you using?

[lisbet]

Right now I'm broke and I told myself I couldn't buy more til I used up what I already had lying around, so currently using...Clinique DDML every day, Clinique Youth Surge SPF 15 (I like this one, and it will be great for extreme winter...it's still kind of heavy for the face right now, so I just use it on my neck). Also Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift and Intensive Lift (mostly used at night, these are also heavy), and some Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion, which I haven't tried yet, but looks awesome. Everything except the Clinique items were gifts with purchase or Sephora bonus items.

Oh, and Estee Lauder Intensive Lifting Eye Cream... every day and night without fail. That and the Clinique DDML are probably my two "can't live without" items; the rest usually vary depending on who's having a gift-with-purchase special:)

[skincare_expert]

That sounds like a great (and thorough) regimen! I tend to get lazy with my anti-aging routine, but I really need to be more consistent with night cream and under-eye serum in particular. I started noticing lines around my eyes about 5 years ago, and I have some great products from the Osmotics line - Osmotics Blue Copper 5 Firming Eye Repair and Osmotics Eye Surgery Undereye Rejuvenator. For my skin I use my Clarisonic Mia religiously, with Juice Beauty Cleansing Milk because it's so gentle.

I also really like Peter Thomas Roth. Have you tried their Radiance Oxygenating Masque? I have the AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel and the spot treatment, and both work really well (and quickly).

What's your skin type?

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[anonymous]

When winter comes I find myself taking hotter and hotter showers, probably partly due to the cracked hands I always get in the winter. What I don't get, though, is how so many lotions, that supposedly "moisturize" your skin, have alcohol in them.

Re: -

[skincare_expert]

I'm the same way! Even though I know hot water will dry out my desk, it's hard to resist a super hot shower on cold mornings. :) And yes, it's bizarre that some brands use alcohol in "moisturizing" lotions. For this reason, I often use oil instead of lotion for dry skin - particularly jojoba oil, which I can apply when my skin is still damp and it'll absorb really nicely.

Have you found some lotions that work for you, especially in the winter months?