Over the years I have tried so many drugstore and high-end skincare products. I was always into skincare but during my college years I got even more interested in it. College in Chicago during the winter is cold and I mean teeth chattering cold. So it’s no surprise I started to get really dry and dehydrated skin.
As a result I tried so many drugstore and high-end skincare. I was determined to find skincare that would help my skin feel and look better. Some of them were good and some of them were really bad. The good news is that now I have a list of winter skincare essentials that I turn to every winter. Since then my skin has thankfully gotten a lot better.
For this post I am going to be focusing on moisturizers, oils, serums and masks. These are the products that helped my skin when it was the most dry and dehydrated. However, these are not the only products that I use in my winter skincare routine. I use an acid exfoliator every night and sunscreen every morning as well as eye cream. You can shop my current favorites below.
Skincare Must Haves: Moisturizers
I am very picky with moisturizers. I don’t want them to be super sticky or heavy. These moisturizers have been my absolute favorite to use during the winter.
The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream (ad) and The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA (ad) are tied for my number one spot. They are super hydrating and they almost have a calming effect on my skin. I have repurchased these moisturizers countless of times; they are that good.
The Glow Recipe Banana Souffle Moisture Cream (ad) and the Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream (ad) are also two of my favorite products to use. The Glow Recipe Banana Souffle Moisture Cream smells like bananas so this one might not be for everyone. However, it is super lightweight and a fantastic moisturizer. The Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream is also a great moisturizer with a very subtle scent. All of these are lightweight and great under makeup.
Winter Skincare Essentials: Oils and Serums
The Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate (ad) is the best facial oil I have tried so far. I love using this product in the winter but it’s one that I also like to use throughout the year. It leaves my face feeling so soft and smooth the next morning.
Hyaluronic acid is an absolute winter skincare essential year round but especially during the winter. The Glossier Super Bounce (ad) is a skin essential that has done wonders for my dehydrated skin. Another great one is the Moon Juice Plump Jelly Hyaluronic Serum (ad). This one can be a little sticky when you first apply it but after a while that goes away. Both are products that really helped my skin during the winter.
Skincare Add Ons: Masks
I like to use masks every now and again when I want to feel pampered. In the past, masks would irritate my skin. The one that never did when my skin was the most dry was The Kiehl’s Ginger Leaf & Hibiscus Firming Mask. The one I am currently using is the Truly Goodnight Moon (ad) mask. This one is a little sticky when you first apply it, and it smells like cotton candy. In the morning my skin feels so hydrated and plump; I love it.
