Winterizing My Skincare Routine
Let’s talk skincare for a sec…more specifically winter skincare! Today on the blog I’m sharing how I winterize my skincare routine. This time of year is when I really take my skincare much more aggressively and ramp up the two keys to staying young; hydration + retinol use! The cold, dry weather in the winter leaves my skin feeling super blah and I like keep my skin dewy and plump so to combat that, I switch a few things up in my routine and pay extra attention to the hydration of my skin. I also take this time out of the sun to reintroduce retinol back into my regime which is basically the foundation of youth 😜 Here are a few tips on how to winterize your skincare routine…
Daytime:
In the morning my routine goes a little something like this: I single cleanse with my tried and true Tula Purifying Face Cleanser and follow that with my favorite toner and then I apply U Beauty’s Resurfacing Compound (P.S. OMG…if you haven’t tried U Beauty yet, you need to asap. I discovered it this year and it has totally changed the texture of my skin). My next step is moisturizing followed by SPF (I ramp up to a mineral sunscreen during this time since I really need the extra protection from retinol use which I cover later in the blog) and that’s it!
Evening:
At the end of the day, I always double cleanse! Double cleansing is the best way to make sure you’re really getting all of the makeup and outside elements off of your skin. I start with this cleansing balm and follow that up with my Tula cleanser. To dry my skin, I use these muslin cloths to make sure there’s no residue left over from my balm cleanser. After cleansing, I tone my face and then I apply my retinol face oil (I only do this 3-4 nights a week). I really like this particular retinol because it’s gentle and still makes my skin feel hydrated while renewing my skin effectively. Lastly, in the evenings I apply this retinol eye serum by Collen Rothschild and finish up with my rich and super hydrating moisturizer.
A Bit More About Retinol:
If you’ve followed for a while you know my love for retinol products and really attribute using this ingredient for slowing the clock! I would always check with you MD or dermatologist before starting a retinol routine. Retinol is a more aggressive product used for anti-aging but don’t let that scare you because trust me it really works!
Since I’m not spending as much time in the sun, I reintroduce my retinol use in the winter. Because retinol decreases the skin’s protective capacity your skin is much more vulnerable to sun damage so I usually take the summer off treatment products that contain retinol.
RETINOL HOT TIPS: First off, it’s important to build your tolerance up slowly! Any products that contain retinol should be phased gradually into your routine because it is an aggressive treatment and can cause irritation if it’s not introduced properly. Also, I only use retinol at night because it makes your skin ultra-sensitive to light. Because your skin becomes even more sensitive to the sun, it’s superimportant to wear SPF every day to protect your skin even if you are going to be indoors all day!
Hydration:
As much as I love retinol, it does dry my skin. If you’re experiencing the same thing (or just have dry skin in general) I highly suggest switching out your nighttime moisturizer to a richer formula for extra hydration in the fall and winter. For example, in the evenings I use The Rich Cream by Augustinus Bader whereas in the mornings I use their lighter formula. Another step I take for extra hydration in the winter is incorporating sheet masks into my routine here and there when my skin needs it.
What products are you ladies using this winter? I can never have enough skincare recommendations!
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