For a long time, I thought I had oily skin. But recently I've realized my skin type is actually quite dry. If I don't take good care of it, it can end up very red and sometimes a little scaly. I have psoriasis as well, and while it doesn't affect my face, I often get tiny little splotches on my arms and legs (it was worse when I was a child). Winter can be a difficult season for those of us with dry skin and skin conditions. The low environmental humidity can sap the life out of already dry skin. Even if you don't have dry skin, it's still a time of year you should take extra care of your skin. Here are 10 of my holy grail products for keeping my skin glowing through this dreary season.
1. Lush Dream Cream - $29.95
Lush's Dream Cream is a soothing hand and body lotion with a light, pleasant scent. It's great for sensitive and chapped skin, making it invaluable during winter. I love the creamy texture and the way my skin just soaks it up. I use it year-round and especially love it on my legs after shaving. On Lush's website, reviewers claim its best uses are for after shower/bath dry/chapped skin, winter dryness, bedtime, and deep moisturization.
2. Tarte Mermaid Skin Hyaluronic H2O Serum - $42
Tarte's Mermaid Skin is a vegan hydration serum that delivers moisture to parched skin. Tarte Cosmetics recommends putting it on before your regular moisturizer for extra effect. It's not a product I use daily; I usually use it once I notice the scaliness coming back. A little goes a long way and it feels really nice on your skin.
3. Hey Honey Active Propolis Cream Concealer - $36
I actually got this product as a sample in an ipsy bag, but once my sample runs out I definitely want to buy the full-size product. Hey Honey's Trick and Treat has become my new favorite concealer. It feels so nice on my skin and my trouble spots look better after using it, not just covered up. It's a really nice product, the only downside is that it only comes in two tones.
4. Formula 10.0.6 Pores Be Pure Skin Clarifying Mask - $6.99
So you've been loading your skin up with moisturizers and makeup. Formula 10.0.6's Pores Be Pure Mud Mask is the perfect solution. I love this product because it doesn't irritate my skin while still getting it really clean.
5. Mario Badescu Facial Spray - $7
Mario Badescu's facial spray comes in four fantastic scents. I love to use this to hydrate and refresh my face throughout the day. I have the lavender one, which is really nice to spritz before bed. I use this product everyday and it lasts a while!
6. Pacifica Dreamy Youth Day & Night Face Cream - $16
This is one of the lightest moisturizers I have ever tried and I love it. I've used some moisturizers that are tingly, which leaves a stinging sensation to any already-irritated spots on my face. This product is just soothing and doesn't feel like it clogs up my pores too much. The morning after application, my skin already feels so much softer and calm.
7. Tarte Quench Hydrating Primer - $32
If you use makeup primer, this is a fantastic product. Formulated with many of the same ingredients from their Mermaid Skin serum, the Quench primer is meant to extend your makeup wear and keep your skin hydrated.
8. Burt's Bees Lip Balm - $3
Lip balm is a staple during the winter months, since chapped lips run rampant. I like the Burt's Bees lip balms because you can find them almost everywhere and they come in a variety of fun scents (if you don't buy the pumpkin balm in the fall, who even are you?). I don't find them sticky at all, which is a plus.
9. Seaweed Bath Co. Hydrating Body Wash - $12.99
To keep your skin healthy during this time of year, sometimes just switching up your bath products can make a difference. You don't want to use a drying soap product, so the hydrating body wash from the Seaweed Bath Co. can be a great winter substitute. It's made with really great ingredients straight from the sea to help you escape the winter blues.
10. Tarte Deep Dive Cleansing Gel - $25
The deep dive cleansing gel washes your face without being too astringent. It's made with a lavender oil that won't leave your skin feeling tight and dry after you wash.
In winter, it's important to think about the different aspects of your skincare routine to add extra hydration. If you usually go full-glam, changing up your primer and concealer products for the winter can help combat the effects of the drier atmosphere. If you're a skincare queen, think about switching up your cleansers and toners. You can even make such a minimal change as using a more hydrating soap in the shower. If you have dry and sensitive skin like me, it's always important to care for your skin, but especially so in the winter.
