Even if you have a skincare routine already, winter skincare is a whole different ballgame.
Today is officially the first day of winter, and… it’s 55 degrees and raining in NYC. Hooray!
In all seriousness, though, today marks the beginning of the end when it comes to carefree skincare. Winter temperatures, precipitation (NYC is known for something we lovingly refer to as a “wintery mix”), and cold wind can give your skin a huge beating and easily undo all the hard work you’ve done on keeping it looking youthful and glowing. While a lot of us will want to just wrap our faces in a giant scarf and huddle on the couch all day, that’s kind of impossible. But fear not, there are products made specifically for the issues that wintertime can bring to a head because even if you have a routine already, winter skincare is a whole different ballgame. From dry skin to redness to overall tightness, hydrating skincare is your BFF (and maybe that alpaca wool scarf your aunt gave you for Christmas last year).
Here are 8 skincare products that will help you give the finger to dull, dry winter skin.
Skyn Iceland Winter Rehab Kit, Ultra
Skyn Iceland is a favorite here at The Gloss, and it’s no surprise why. I got a sample of this kit, and let me tell you, my skin hasn’t been softer or more hydrated. I take super hot showers, and my skin usually hates me in the winter, and yet, I haven’t seen a single flake of dry skin after using this kit. The serum is great for soaking into your skin after a battle with winter winds, and the face wash is cooling and gentle but makes your skin feel fantastic.
Vitamin C Instant Glow Enhancer, The Body Shop
A lot of winter is spent bundled up in scarves and hats, battling against the wind, and that can take a toll on the luminosity of the skin. Dab this on your cheekbones and across your forehead, and you’ll instantly see more revitalized and glowy skin. It’s got a subtle rosy tint to it that makes you look perfectly wind-swept and is super soft. Pair it with the Vitamin C Skin Boost, and you’ve got a skincare routine chock full of sunshine even on the snowiest days.
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, Target
Like Heather said the other day, this is a cult-favorite. A sleep mask will help reinvigorate your winter-damaged skin and rehydrate any spots you’re struggling with. It’s got a nice, subtle scent which won’t compete with any other nighttime skincare products you’re using and even has chestnut extract, which is a quintessential wintertime ingredient. The best part is you wake up feeling refreshed rather than your skin feeling tight or brittle.
GLAMGLOW THIRSTYMUD™ Hydrating Treatment, Sephora
There’s a reason you see GLAMGLOW products all over beauty blogs and Instagram photos. It’s because it works. The THIRSTYMUD mask works with something GLAMGLOW calls “Dewdration” that helps keep your skin looking youthful and bouncy. This mask is for skin that is begging for some hydration.
Montagne Jeunesse Dry Skin Mask, 7th Heaven
I have professed my love for Montagne Jeunesse masks before, and I will continue to. I tried their Black Seaweed Peel-Off Mask, and I’m addicted to it. It’s really amazing. But this one is on the opposite side of the spectrum from the sauna masks I previously touted. This is a soufflé mask and a serum, and it’s got a whole bunch of fruit like blueberries, raspberries, and red grapes for antioxidant-rich skin care that will help any level of dry skin. The foolproof 2-step process will give you softer, more hydrated skin even in the dead of winter.
Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm, Kiehl’s
If you’ve already done damage to your skin (I’m definitely guilty of this throughout college, where I skipped moisturizer altogether and then walked through a mini-blizzard on a regular basis), this Deep Moisture Balm can help rescue it. Kiehl’s is already known for simple, effective skincare, and this balm is no different. After you cleanse and tone your skin, use this moisturizer filled with Edelweiss flower extract to help lock in the hydration. It’s made for even the driest skin.
Blue Marine Algae Mask. Peter Thomas Roth
Peter Thomas Roth’s masks are unlike any others. This algae mask may seem the opposite of what you want for winter skin, but it delivers a punch of nutrients to combat the effects of dehydration on the skin. It’s got something called Antarcticine in it, which helps create what they are calling an “eco-bubble” around the skin the keep any environmental damage at bay.
Mizon Night Repair Seruming Ampoule, Peach & Lily
If there’s one thing K-beauty does best, it’s hydration. We’ve mentioned ampoules before, and winter is a perfect time to try them out. This nighttime ampoule is made to help skin recover from the harmful effects of the wind and cold while firming tired skin and keeping it looking radiant, even with winter bearing down.