With winter right around the corner, Gloria shares her Winter Skincare Must-Haves to get through winter with great glowing skin!
As a SoCal native with oily-combination skin, I never truly experienced winter or dealt with dry skin during freezing months. This year it’s a tad different – I’m now a New Yorker. Instead of mild winters with cold being 50° Fahrenheit (that’s 10° Celsius for you UK folks), I’ll actually experience what the rest of the world deems a “real winter.”
Instead of my usual gentle gel cleanser and lightweight moisturizers that I’ve used year-round, my entire skincare routine is undergoing an overhaul to ensure that my skin stays hydrated and protected all winter long. Who wants to end up at a Holiday party with a dull and ashen complexion? Not this beauty-gal and certainly not you!
To get everyone ready, here’s part 1 of my 2-part Winter Skincare Must-Have series. Here’s a low-down on the best cleansers, exfoliators, and treatments masks that you must try this winter for soft glowing dewy skin!
Cleanser
Look for a gentle moisturizing facial cleanser when your skin is dry. If you’re used to a foam formula, look for one without Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) as it tends to be drying. Instead, opt for a milk or oil-based cleanser. My favorites include the Shu Uemura Cleansing Beauty Oil A⁄I (£56.50) and Clarins Cleansing Milk with Alpine Herbs (£17.50). These not only wash all dirty and excess oil off your skin; it does so without stripping your skin of its own natural oils.
If you’re just more accustomed to foam cleansers, try Purity Made Simple by Philosophy (£28.50). I personally prefer foam cleansers when using a Clarisonic (starts at £120). It’s still extremely gentle without drying your skin too much.
Exfoliator
Nothing is worse than flaky dry skin. If you’ve ever applied foundation just to find it ball up and flake, it’s time to exfoliate. In the winter when skin tends to be more sensitive, you want to use a gentle exfoliator that’s not too abrasive once to twice a week. Cindy Crawford’s dermatologist, Dr. Sebagh, makes a great azelaic and lactic acid based exfoliator, the Deep Exfoliating Mask Sensitive Skin Formulation (£59.00), that’s guaranteed to slough off layers of dead flaky skin for brighter and smoother skin. It’s so gentle that it’s touted as a pre-party ritual – your skin won’t be irritated, it’ll simply glow.
Masks
What’s the most potent way to deliver high doses of hydrating ingredients to your skin? Via masks, of course! It’s more critical during the winter than any other season to enjoy a mini-spa day at home with a hydrating mask. For an easy no-mess-no-fuss super luxurious mask, try Crème de la Mer The Hydrating Facial (£190.00). It’s a cotton mask that’s pre-moistened with hydrating ferments, tourmaline, and potent marine extracts to saturate dry, dehydrated skin.
Another favorite is the Dr. Sebagh Rose de Vie Hydrating Mask (£68.95). Infused with rose oil, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, and other naturally sourced anti-aging ingredients, this mask not only helps prevent moisture-loss, but it also maintain and boost moisture levels in the skin. Plus it smells heavenly!
“This mask that provides exceptional levels of hydration – boosts and retains moisture, which forms a critical part of the skin’s own water-based moisturising complex and protects the skin’s natural barrier function,” said Dr. Sebagh. “Use weekly throughout the winter months when central heating will leave skin tight and dehydrated.”
Check back next week for part-2 of the series where I’ll reveal the best serums and moisturizers that’ll help you get through winter with the best skin ever!
