My Winter Skincare Routine

I would link up my winter skincare routine for your guys TODAY. So here it is. No frills, no fuss. Just a step-by-step with links. There are some steps here beyond my go-to skincare order that are specific for wintertime. I always keep Skincare section on my site updated with the current products I’m using!

If you want the bare minimum for good skincare it’s cleanse + vitamin c + sunscreen in the am and then cleanse + retinoid + moisturize in the pm.

However, if you want to take a deep dive, here are my current favorites for winter skincare!

Morning Skincare Routine

CLEANSE // I’ve been using this cleanser by Revision and have loved it!

TONE // Currently my two favorite toners are this one by BioDerma or this Garnier dupe. I also love this toner but wouldn’t use it if you use the treatments below.

EXFOLIATE // I have been exfoliating daily with these M-61 Power Glow Peels and swear that it has changed my skin along with the use of a steamer and BeautyBio (more on that in the nighttime section). I started three times a week and now do them every day.

If there is time here I will put on some eye patches! I love to keep these in the fridge & wear while I get my coffee.

TREAT // For my vitamin C I use SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF. I was using the C E Ferulic but found I was still breaking out. Phlorentin is better suited for people with acne but it doesn’t have as many anti-aging properties in it. This is also an excellent vitamin C! If you are going to splurge on one thing for skincare I would say do this and get a generic retin-a rx. I would also only buy from a reputable source because how a company stores vitamin C factors into the potency.

MOISTURIZE // I have been using this ELEMIS moisturizer lately and SWEAR by it for helping my skin retain hydration during the winter. It feels almost like a very lightweight gel lotion and seeps into your skin immediately. I love it. I also love this one by Obagi if you want something lightweight.

PROTECT // This is the sunscreen I wear every day! If I’m not dry and it’s not the winter then I will just wear this as a moisturizer and sunscreen in one.

Follow with a CC Cream or a Primer and then a Foundation!

Evening Winter Routine

CLEANSE // I use this cleanser by Revision just like in the AM! If I have on a full face of makeup I sometimes will use this product by itCosmetics product first and double-cleanse.

In the winter, I will steam my face after I cleanse. I typically will stand over this steamer for 3-5 minutes while I’m brushing my teeth or scrolling Instagram. Steaming your face opens up your pores, allowing you to really get all the dirt out. But the real reason I do it is so that my Retin-A & creams can seep in and work harder! It also just feels awesome and is very relaxing! I think steaming has allowed my nighttime treatments to be even more effective.

TONE // I love using a micellar water toner like this one by BioDerma or this Garnier dupe, especially after steaming. I also love this toner if you aren’t exfoliating otherwise.

EXFOLIATE // Once a week I double clean my face, make sure to remove any trace of makeup, tone and then dermaplane. Whenever I have time in the evenings, I will also use this GloPro here. I only added this to my skincare routine a couple weeks ago, but I think that this along with the M-61 Pads and the face steaming are really helping my skin this winter!

TREAT // At night I mix my retinoids (I use tretinoin, a generic retin-a). I started off at the lowest dose and now am up to .1%. You have to be prescribed the version I use and you can read more about retinoids here. Since I have discoloration and redness due to sun damage, I mix the retin-a with two different Obagi products on the back of my hand. The ones I use are an Rx form of this one and this one so the percentage of active ingredients is slightly more. A little dab of each will do!

MOISTURIZER // Winter is where moisturizer is most important to your skincare routine. I have been using this ELEMIS moisturizer at night as well but also love this one by Obagi if you want something lightweight. I also apply eye cream at night and eye serum if I have time. I love my eye serum from Tula but I also want to try this one! I personally can’t tell a huge difference from any of the eye creams that I have used but I do think that an eye serum helps a ton! Serums are thinner and can get into fine lines so maybe that is why! If I’m feeling really dry I will also sometimes sleep with this mask on!

LIPS // I have to have something on my lips to sleep! My two favorites are this lip plump or this sleeping mask!

I’m constantly trying new skincare products so it was hard to narrow this routine down but I have found myself using the products above consistently over the past few weeks of winter.