Skin care should be important for all four seasons — you can’t just decide to do it in the winter time and slack in the summer because your skin changes and the weather affects it in different ways. Trust me, I was a slacker on skin care and I was rewarded with breakouts and dry skin. I went to a dermatologist for what seems like forever, shout out to Dr. Shen, she’s the best. But dermatologists can’t cure everything especially if we aren’t taking care of our skin. You have to put in the work to get the results. Straight up. There’s no going around it, you can’t just expect the antibiotics or creams and fighting it from the outside when you have to do your part on the inside.
It sucks not being like those girls that have legit perfect skin — it’s actually very irritating. Like what did you do to have this and that while she’s glowing? When you figure out the answer, let me know because I’m in the same boat. Until then, I’m working on my skin. I’m always working on my skin and you should too. There comes a point when something that worked, no longer works. There’s also that point in time when you have to upgrade because your skin either can’t handle it anymore or it’s not effective.
Let’s focus now on some tips for skin care during the winter. The cold weather can be harsh and you need to make sure you put in the work so you’re glowing despite the gray skylines.
**disclaimer: this is not a sponsored post. affiliate links are included in the post and I can gain payment from those links if they are clicked on.
Moisturize, Moisturize, and Moisturize
This is important. You know I didn’t use night cream until I was in my third year of college?! I didn’t get that my dry and tight skin needed some moisture before I went to bed. Shame on me. Moisturizer is now my best friend and keeps my face feeling smooth. It will be your best friend. Don’t skip out on it. If it makes your skin oily, invest in one for oily skin that tones the oils down. If you’re dry, there’s a moisturizer for that and if you have combination skin, there’s something for you, too. Trust me, there is a product out there for your morning and night routines, you just have to look. Right now, I’m using Aveeno Ultra Calming and Clinique Dramatically Different moisturizers in the morning… more so the Clinique and at night, I use the SheaMoisture African Black Soap facial moisturizer. All of these have been saints during this weird Ohio weather. Don’t know what to buy? Go to Sephora or Ulta and get samples — what works for someone else might not work for you so test things out!
Have a routine — day and night
Important. You need a routine. You can’t just do one thing once a week and expect to be glowing. It doesn’t work like that at all. Believe me, I’m living proof of doing everything wrong and complaining to my dermatologist. Your skin is delicate, you can’t just apply what’s on your body to your face — unless your face can withstand that then salute to you! In all seriousness, you need to get together a routine from what you use in the morning to what you use at night to what you use on the weekends. Things may vary from using a facial cleanser, toner, moisturizer and primer in the morning versus facial cleanser, toner, retinal, spot treatment, and moisturizer. Get in the habit of doing these things daily and your skin will thank you later. This is coming from someone who is twenty-four and gets asked if she’s sixteen weekly. I started taking care of my skin and it rewarded me (I still get breakouts though so I have something to work on).
Drink tons of water — hydrate!
You have heard it, I know you have. There’s no denying the benefits of water. I will tell you that I used to suck at drinking enough water — I thought I just needed products and I was wrong. Water is essential. If you aren’t getting hydrated, your skin looks dull and there isn’t that glow. I found out when I didn’t drink water, I broke out… a lot. I would contemplate what I did wrong and it was not drinking enough water. Winter is already harsh on your skin, give it a break by drinking tons of water. The cold weather is already going to dry you out and chap your lips/face, counteract that.
Invest in Face Masks
Whether you’re investing in buying face masks or ingredients for face masks, know that this is important. I use the Aztec Healing Clay majority of the time, although I do have two other masks and honey/apple cider vinegar mixes that and I put on a face mask once or twice a week. I have sensitive skin so I can’t really push it although I don’t suggest people use face masks every day or every other day. Your skin needs the nourishment, I will forever rave about using honey on your face because it calms redness and moisturizes your face. Face masks have to be my favorite part of the week. I don’t know why but I enjoy them for the period of time they are on my face. Plus in the winter time, they do wonders! I use them more during the cold season to get that extra moisture and dead skin removal.
Get a Facial
Let me tell you a facial will change your life. Now, you can do a facial yourself and if you’re a pro at it, I kinda hate you. I mean you have it all down with the steaming and extraction and everything that is hard for me to follow. Yeah, a face mask is great but a professional facial is really the business. You don’t have to splurge on these either — Ulta has $25 facials and this is how I get down until I’m a big baller. This is how it goes down if you haven’t had one — select the type of facial because Ulta has a range and your esthetician will ask you questions about your skin and what you’re looking for, be honest with them. Time to sit back and relax as you get steamed and have different masks and moisturizers put on your face followed by extraction and then finally moisturizer. What they do will range from the type of facial you pick and your skin type. It’s worth it, definitely worth it. I probably left out some details because I’m not a facial pro, I used to get them every few months but I had a total of one professional one last year. And yes, you might be a little red afterward but your skin is thanking you.
Exfoliate, it’s legit
I didn’t really exfoliate until I got my Clarisonic, I might have used scrubs with beads and thought I was exfoliating but I really wasn’t. I will say that my Clarisonic has given me acne but that was when I first started using it. After that, my skin reacted well and I can attest that it’s pretty nice. I have invested in BHA/AHA exfoliant which is a blessing to the hyperpigmentation I have from cysts. Whichever facial cleansing brush you invest in, I promise it is more than likely worth it. Just remember to clean it and take care of that tool, too. Exfoliating is good for your skin during all seasons, you need to take the time to remove the dead skin cells that are clogging your pores. If you’re not exfoliating, expect those dry patches to pop up because of the dead skin. I exfoliate at night rather than in the morning and I moisturize myself up before bed because I know I’ll be wearing make-up the next day. Exfoliate, peeps.
Take my word for it, your skin needs you to care. 365, 24/7, you need to make sure that you are putting in the work so that you can reap the benefits. I can’t suggest products to you because what works for me, might not work for you — if you need a suggestion, check out Mario Badescu for different regimens. I used those products for awhile and loved them, still use the masks.
What are some tips you have? Share the good skincare knowledge!
**disclaimer: this is not a sponsored post. affiliate links are included in the post and I can gain payment from those links if they are clicked on.
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