Now that it's officially October and there's a definite chill to the air, I've already seen my skin start to get drier and flakier, which is why I'm all about switching my skincare up for the colder months. Plus how to take care of dry skin in winter.
As this will probably be how I'm looking after my skin until at least the end of March here in Scotland, I've swapped in skincare that is all about hydrating and boosting parched and dehydrated skin.
And here are those products, in order of use in my cold weather routine;
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Cleanse
Kiehl's Centella Sensitive Skin Cleanser (£28)
I start by cleansing with a product that doesn't strip my skin of its natural oils. And this cleanser from Kiehl's is perfect for sensitive or dry/dehydrated skin. It's really mild but removes even the toughest of makeup.
Tone
fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner (£21-34)
I have to admit, it's taken me a while to fully appreciate the benefits of using a toner. This alcohol-free rose based toner leaves my skin feeling unbelievably hydrated. So much so, that I'm a little disappointed in myself for not trying it sooner. And when the packaging looks this good, why wouldn't you want it on your skincare shelf?
Exfoliate
ARK Skincare Skin Perfector Triple Action Exfoliator* (£35)
An exfoliator, whether it's physical like this one from ARK Skincare, or chemical, is a must for the colder months for me. It's the only way to get rid of any build up of dry skin. You should instantly see a big difference when you go to apply makeup. And if your skin is particularly dry, I recommend exfoliating once a week. That way you can really keep on top of dry, flaky patches.
Moisturise
Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil (£34-61)
This facial oil is a great added boost of hydration, particularly if you've been using an exfoliator (which is why it pairs excellently with the Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos - see review here). I've never really gotten on well with facial oils until trying this one and it's one of those Drunk Elephant must-trys, in my opinion.
Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum* ($6)
Good Molecules are actually a brand that I hadn't heard of until Beautylish, their US stockist, got in touch to see if I'd like to try some of the range out. They do simplified skincare at a budget price point and are well worth trying out, particularly as they ship to the UK. This serum is incredibly lightweight but it still leaves me with the softest skin. You only need a few drops too, which makes this such a brilliant buy! Let me know if you'd like to see more of their products in a dedicated review.
boscia Revilatilizing Black Hydration Gel (£32.50)
Now that boscia is available at Boots here in the UK, I was keen to try some of their charcoal range out and that included this hydration gel. Also working well on oilier or combination skin types, this hydration gel really reduces the appearance of pores, making it a good base for foundation, as well as a general daily moisturiser.
...and moisturise some more
White Rabbit Skincare Chamomile & Carrot Seed Eye Cream* (£20)
Last month I attended a skincare masterclass with Scottish based skincare company White Rabbit Skincare and I have been loving this eye cream ever since. It's rare that an eye cream doesn't irritate my eyes but this naturally derived one gives me hydration without making my eyes feel milky (does anyone else get that feeling to their eyes when using an eye cream?). Well worth trying out!
Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Moisturizing Balm SPF 25* (£68.50)
Now if your skin is really dehydrated, try something thicker and more sumptuous. There's a reason why this is so highly rated! And I can see this being my go to moisturiser this Autumn/Winter. This balm is so sumptuous but sinks into the skin without being too heavy either. It also has the added bonus of SPF, which many of us may forget to apply in the colder months.
Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Nourishing Milk* (£56)
I saw Kate La Vie rave about this and I am now so happy to have it in my life for the colder months. I like to apply this before bed and the amount of glow that my skin has in the morning is quite literally night and day, as opposed to what it was before. It reminds me somewhat of a serum but with an added milkiness to it and is just SO good! When it comes to how to take care of dry skin in winter, this is a must for me.
ARK Skincare Skin Perfector Hydration Injection Masque (£35)
Last but not least, I'm all about a good face mask in the colder months. And speaking of milkiness, this also has a very similar texture to it. It's packed full of vitamins and hyaluronic acid and is a nice one to apply on a Sunday evening. Depending on your age, you can leave this on for anything from 5 to 20 minutes or even overnight, if you feel that your skin needs it.
So there are my top product picks to slot into your A/W skincare routine this year and how to take care of dry skin in winter.
Do you struggle with dry or dehydrated skin in the colder months especially? If so, what are your favourite products or brands to use? And have you tried anything in today's blog post before?
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