Snap, crackle and pop! With dry, cold weather, less moisture and unforgiving temperatures, my skin has experienced the worst of it. No wonder I escape for winter sun in the middle of the January. Trying to curate the best winter skincare routine for my sensitive and combination skin is not always that easy. Attempting to get the products in time is another challenge in itself.
The world of skincare can be overwhelming at times as new and cult favourite products stack up on the shelves. And I, like most, like to experiment with new products from time to time. Though this past winter, I decided to stick with what I already had on my shelves to see if I could make these products work for the season. The realisation of creating the best seasonal skincare routine did not come to me until very late. However experimenting with what I already had, helped me to understand my skin more on a deeper level. This led me to knowing what I needed for the next season, spring, to keep it looking its best.
Let me not get ahead of myself. Spring has just started. Although my skin did not look its best this past winter, this was the first time in a very long time that I had minimal to no breakouts. That is a big thank you to the following products that I kept in rotation during the colder months.
My Best Winter Skincare Favourites
It is no secret that when the weather gets cold, some people will head over to the slopes and embrace the cool temperatures. While the rest of us will gladly sink into hibernation mode with scented candles and a cozy blanket. Cold weather can also mean dry and irritated skin due to the unforgiving climate.
Best Winter Hydration Products
One thing about me? When I love something, I indulge in it like it’s going out of fashion tomorrow morning. I love hydration on my skin, I mean I love drinking water. So best believe, I want my skin drunk in love with hydrating skincare products. I pretty much live for it. Over the years, I have found that by keeping my skin as moisturised and hydrated as possible, the more smooth my skin feels and looks. Here are three of my favourite hydrating products that I used in the last few months.
Disclaimer: This post does include some affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I have personally vetted.
Byoma Hydrating Recovery Oil
I’ve been an avid user of the Byoma Hydrating Recovery Oil for nearly a year now and I’m continually impressed by how it keeps my skin smooth throughout the night. Byoma values restoring your complexion with science-based skincare formulas that focus on skin health. It doesn’t matter if I’m in a humid or dry environment during the colder months, the protection is still the same. When I wake up the following morning, my skin is still infused with the rich essential oils in this product. It looks refreshed. How do I know this? There is no residue sitting on my pillows.
Garnier Moisture Sheet Masks
I’ve been using the Garnier Moisture Sheet Masks years before I got into skincare, specifically the pomegranate extract and hyaluronic acid mask. Regardless of the country, it is a staple in most drugstores. This was one of the only skincare products that I was able to afford in my late teens and has been a staple since then. It is one of the best winter skincare products that I use consistently on a weekly basis.
Once I’ve finished applying toner to my face, I throw on their moisture sheet mask for about 15 to 20 minutes. At the same time, I put on my foot mask and do a random task while I wait for my skin to absorb the moisture. If your skin is prone to dryness in winter or you just want to add a boost of hydration, these sheet masks will not disappoint you.
Cosrx Snail 96% Mucin Power Essence
Lastly, I don’t think this particular product needs an introduction as it is everywhere. Two things that Korean skincare does well is a) promoting hydration in absolutely everything and b) experimenting with natural ingredients like bee venom, snail slime and volcanic ash. Cosrx Snail 96% Mucin Power Essence is one of my holy grail products. A friend of mine recommended this product to me in 2017/2018 when she was heavily influenced by Korean skincare. I dabbled with this product here and there during those years. It wasn’t until 2019 that I started using this product consistently.
‘Using this product’ really understates how much I use it. Before I get into why this is a great product to have in the winter, snail slime? Snail slime does not sound enticing at all. Why would I put snail secretion on my skin in the first place? The reason is that it keeps my skin structure smooth and healthy while restoring the life in my skin. The consistency of the product is slimy and gel-like. My skin absorbs this quickly and it feels like it has penetrated the multiple layers that make up the skin. Another thing that makes this one of the best winter hydration products to have is that it’s full of nutrients. Winter can strip the skin from nutrients and this replenishes it.
Best Winter Exfoliating Products
For me, two steps that go hand-in-hand when developing a skincare routine is exfoliation and hydration. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and hydration allows your skin to drink in the moisture. The same way you can’t revive a dead leaf, you can’t revive dead skin cells.
I am very strict with the products that I use to exfoliate my skin because it is highly sensitive. If I use an ingredient that my skin does not agree with, it can take me at least 4 weeks to get rid of the irritation. One of the products below I’ve been using for the last four years. The other product is something that I’ve been testing out for nine months.
Fenty Skin Cookies & Clean
I bought the Fenty Skin Cookies & Clean while I was in New York last May to see if it would make the pores on my nose smaller. Some of the reviews I read before purchasing this indicated that it wasn’t great for sensitive skin and I haven’t had any issues with it. Although it is a good exfoliating product for the colder months, it can leave your skin quite dry after use as it is clay based. It does pull out the dirt from your pores and leaves your skin feeling clean. However, I don’t recommend using this product often in the winter. I would say once a month at best. It works better in the summer months so I would reserve this for humid temperatures.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is my favourite all year-round exfoliating product to date. It leaves my skin even and radiant after shedding the dead skin cells. I use this product twice a week maximum, during my evening skincare routine, on my face, neck and ears with a three day gap in between. It shrinks my pores to a point that I can’t see them clearly. In comparison to the clay based exfoliant, you leave this exfoliant on your skin and I feel that it preps the skin to retain and absorb the moisture coming from the subsequent products. The description says you can use it daily but I think that it is too much exfoliation on something so delicate.
Overall, I’ve enjoyed using these products for the last three months. What I have learnt about my skin is that I need to add more hydrating and moisturising products to build upon at each step of my routine. This is not only for my face, but also for my body care routine. I’ve just put in a huge order for both body care and skincare products to build upon the consistency of the last three months. That way my skin will be more hydrated and will glow even more by summertime.
Thank you for reading this post and share with a friend who has sensitive skin and is looking for the best winter skincare products. Make sure to hit that subscribe button to join the community and never miss out on a post. Find me on Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok for more powerlifting and wellness content.
Until next time,
Folakemi
