My Easy Winter Skin Routine

I never get bored with skin care. This could be because I live upstairs from my business and I have my own personal party of any beauty product at the literal tip of my fingers. This would have been my personal fantasy when I was a teenager, as I was a skin care and makeup junkie.

So many years later, I use fewer and fewer lotions and potions and I am confident that this is the result of all of my years of great skin care. This coupled with genetics and mostly healthy eating equals better skin as I head to my late fifties.

Benefits of a Good Skin Care Routine

I am still convinced that a good routine plays one of the most important roles in better skin. I have seen the results of a few simple routine changes in the thousands of clients I have had the privilege of caring for during the span of my thirty-five year career in skin care. If injections are not something you are really interested in, a great routine is definitely something that will make a more natural impact.

Skin care has become a confusing mess though if you ask me. Just like what to eat for optimum health, the infinite amount of choices in the lightly regulated world of skin care can not only create complete confusion for the layperson, but also havoc on your unsuspecting skin.

Start with the Basics

I always start people off with the basics.

Cleanser and moisturizer.

Starting here is the easiest way to make a good impact on significant skin changes. Often just finding the right combination of these two products can point your skin in the right direction, then from that point you can more easily add the bells and whistles of serums and exfoliants.

Sometimes I rediscover an old faithful that I had forgotten about and am pleasantly surprised as the first drop hits my face. Winter in New England is on its way so as I find myself post beach season with the cooler weather headed our way I begin shifting towards my routine for the winter. This is the stripped down version for those of you who just want to keep it simple and affordable. This routine is for dry skin or anyone who likes their skin to look luminous and does not mind a more moist feeling and look.

Recommended Winter Skin Routine

Step 1: Cleanse

So many choices- I know, but they are all amazing AND remove makeup. I list them below in order of my favorite. I always go back to the old faithful Dermalogica Cleanser and I always wash my face every night 100% of the time.

Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Cleanser ($62)

This is a great old school water soluble creamy, rinseable cleanser for skin that likes the feel of a creamy cleanser- moisturizing without leaving a greasy residue.

Jurlique Replenishing Cleansing Lotion ($34)

This cleanser is best suited for dry or sensitive skin, especially if you need a boost of moisture in the winter months. As skin is cleansed, it is hydrated and soothed.

Glo Skin Beauty Essential Cleansing Oil ($38)

This cleanser boasts a powerful blend of skin-healthy oils that provide deep cleansing action by dissolving excess oils, impurities, and makeup.

Use one of these three cleansers to maintain a healthy glow during winter weather.

Step 2: Phyto Active Conditioning Oil Drops

This nourishing and moisturizing oil based moisturizing serum is a great addition to your winter routine. Layer under a moisturizer to give it an extra jolt or use as a stand alone. Use morning or night or both. You can also add a few drops to your moisturizer (the lazy way out, Alayne's personal preference) or add to a mask for more moisturizing benefits.

Step 3: Glo Skin Beauty Restorative Cream

Glo Skin Beauty Restorative Cream ($50) moisturizer has reentered my routine and replaced a Jurlique moisturizer that I have been using for the past year. I have loved Jurlique Rich cream ($125) as much as I have loved Glo Phyto Active Face Cream, ($150), but the price point is really high and if you are trying to stay within a more reasonable skin budget, Restorative Cream (also our number 1 seller) is an incredible moisturizer priced at $50.

And check out the 5 star reviews for this popular moisturizer.

If you are a daily sunscreen wearer, then add Glo Skin Beauty Oil Free SPF 40 ($38) to the routine and this will add the protection you need.

My skin advice is to see how your skin responds to cleansers and moisturizers to get your skin back in check- give them 3- 4 weeks. You may be surprised at how much this simple change helps make your skin shinier, brighter, and happier and you may even find you won’t need as many extras as the skin care world wants you to believe.