Hot Skincare Tips for Cold Weather

The temperatures in Colorado right now are downright upsetting — highs in the teens, low in the negatives (in Fahrenheit, of course). While I work from home and have mostly been blessed with not going outside, winter still takes its toll. Knowing that many folks are currently facing the same issues, I wanted to share what’s been saving my skin this winter.

Moisturize early and often within your routine

During winter everyone — even those who AREN’T skincare fanatics — start thinking about moisturizer. But what you might not be thinking about is moisturizing more generally. After all, why leave that to one of your final steps when you could bring it in earlier?

For me, I was excited to finally bust out the Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Essence this month after hearing so much about it for months and lusting after anything and everything propolis for months. The royal jelly, propolis and honey make it a wonderfully healing and moisturizing essence. And yet it doesn’t feel like a moisturizer, given that it’s an essence/serum type texture, so everything else in your routine still layers well.

This month I also opened the Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer. After all, if you can’t open that up in the depth of winter, when can you? The most-touted ingredient in this is the white tea, but higher up in the inci list and an absolutely fabulous ingredient is meadowfoam seed oil. It’s one of my favorite oils, and the inclusion of it in there makes this toner/moisturizer feel like a hug for your face. Just know that it’s not really a moisturizer — just the heaviest of the toners you’re apt to use in your routine.

Layer at bedtime — on your bed and your face

I’ve been sleeping under five blankets at night, and my skin’s been sleeping under three layers of occlusion (if we’re talking actual layers/steps, I think I’m up to 15? Send help). If you’re just using a moisturizer (I love the Pyunkang Yul Ato Cream Blue Label) the last step of your PM routine, it might be time to up the ante.

Some people like using a full-on petrolatum-based product after their moisturizer to “slug”. The idea is that petrolatum truly locks everything in. But hey, petrolatum can be boring and not everyone likes it, so let’s talk other options.

Consider a sleeping mask. Originally out of k-beauty, these are essentially super lightweight moisturizers that pack a yummy punch of ingredients while giving a good bit of occlusivity. I’ve been loving the A’pieu Madecassoside Sleeping Mask. It almost feels cooling at first, but it really soothes.

You might also like a facial oil. I started using an oil after my moisturizer during the summer, when I wound up with a night cream that wasn’t quite enough for my skin. I’ve stuck with it ever since because it makes me feel fancy. Lately I’ve been using my custom oil from Chiasm Skin, which helps tackle my skin concerns while giving me some moisturization and occlusivity.

And hey, if you’re still struggling? Do all three! I find that everything sinks in nicely, and I wake up in the morning with just enough of a film on my skin that I know it kept everything protected.

Don’t forget your lips

Winter is also when lips seem to chap the most. It might be tempting to go out and buy ALL THE CHAPSTICK, but you really don’t need to. Make sure to take all of your skincare onto your lips (well, hydrating/moisturizing products anyway — probably keep the retinol away). Be sure to rinse your lips after toothbrushing (this was a gamechanger for me). If you’ve got a hydrating eye cream, pop it on your lips, too. Keep a nice occlusive on hand to seal it all in — I’ve been enjoying the Biossance Squalane + Rose Vegan Lip Balm because it does the job but doesn’t melt off and cause blackheads, like the Glossier Balm Dotcom did for me.

And, as always, don’t forget sunscreen! Important regardless of the time of year.

What are your hot tips for cold weather?