Winter has officially arrived (the snow is falling as I type this), and with it the woes of winter skin. Many of you probably know that I’m a little bit obsessed with skincare, because when my skin is healthy I feel amazing all around! There are small, everyday things that I do to keep my skin healthy like hydrating and eating nutritious foods, but in the winter my skin definitely needs all the help it can get!
I thought I would show you all of my winter skincare essentials, and what my winter skincare routine is (especially for Finals!). At the end of this post there is an exciting giveaway announcement, so stay tuned! 🙂
Winter Skincare Essentials: Face Masks
Face masks are one of the most relaxing ways to take care of your skin in the winter. I love to put one on while I am cleaning my room, reading for a class, writing a paper, or relaxing and watching YouTube. They are very versatile and each have their own benefits for your skin! I have been loving three that I recently got, and they have helped to keep my skin clear when it normally flares up from stress.
The first two that I am loving at the moment are both from the Feeling Beautiful line: the Dead Sea Minerals Anti-Stress Mask and the Sparkling Pear Pore Cleansing Mask. Both of these are very cooling for the skin, and each have their own benefits depending on what your skin is in need of. I love to use the Anti-Stress mask to calm irritated skin, or when the wind has been particularly harsh.
It tones down redness and calms irritations! The Pore Cleansing mask is perfect for when you feel as though your skin needs a little extra detox from the stress and environment of exams and hectic schedules. One of the things that I love most about these masks is that they don’t dry and crumble like most masks I’m used to. I’m not sure why, but I am definitely not a fan of that tight and crumbly feeling, so I love these for that reason. They are also quite cheap, and the bottles are huge! They are perfect for ending the semester on a good note.
I am also loving the often-raved about Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask. I was given this as a holiday gift and tried it out today after coming back from a long paper writing session at the library. Besides the fact that it has an adorable pig wearing a face mask on the front (and we all know how much I love pigs…), this is one of the strangest masks I have ever tried. It has a very odd consistency, and when you put it on your face it tingles and foams up. After about six minutes the mask is completely foamy! As soon as I washed it off (which definitely took some effort because there was a layer of product under the foam) my skin felt very hydrated and healthy! I highly recommend it, especially since it always gets some great laughs and is a fun way to take care of your skin! 🙂
Winter Skincare Essentials: Moisturizer
Over the years I have come to realize the importance of wearing sunscreen on your face every day. This may sound odd to some people, especially during the winter, but the sun’s rays are damaging to skin all year round. I started using sunscreen on a daily basis a few years ago, and the difference is phenomenal. All of my dull skin is gone, and my skin is left a lot softer and hydrated.
I love moisturizers that have SPF in them, as this is a great way to combine the benefits of both. The moisturizer that I have been loving lately is the Lumene Bright Now Vitamin C Moisturizer in SPF 15. This moisturizer wakes up your skin with Vitamin C extracts, and also protects it with its sunscreen formula. It wears well under makeup, and isn’t oily on the skin. I wear this under another tinted sunscreen for my skincare routine, as this gives my skin an even tone.
Winter Skincare Essentials: Facial Cleansing Tools
I have always gone the route of using my hands to apply facial cleanser, without thinking too much about it. When I was on ULTA the other day, I saw the Dual Action Cleansing System and knew I had to look up reviews and learn more. The reviews were raving, and I thought I might as well try it out (especially since I was approaching one of the most stressful times of the semester).
In all honesty, my skin has never felt cleaner. The brush isn’t too rough, and never leaves any irritation. It cleans away more dirt than I thought possible to have on my face after washing it with a facial wipe and balancing toner. I use it with my Burts Bees Deep Cleansing Cream, which has menthol in it for soothing irritation and cleaning pores.
I use this brush at night to make sure that I thoroughly cleanse my face of all impurities before bed, but don’t use it twice a day just to make sure that no irritation develops. In the morning I use my balancing toner instead to cleanse my face before applying moisturizer and sunscreen. So far my skin has improved, and it feels much cleaner with this new routine!
Exciting Giveaway!
I knew that I had to give one of these cleansing brushes away, because I am such a huge fan! I am running a giveaway through the New Year, which is open to all U.S. residents. I promise I will have a worldwide giveaway at some point! 🙂 Enter below (there are three different ways to enter), and good luck!
Click the link below to enter! 🙂
a Rafflecopter giveaway
©2016 The Wise Willow and Alyssa DeBella. All rights reserved.
My absolute favourite winter skincare item is Neutrogena face wash and mask 2-in-1. It’s the best for soothing dry and irritated skin!
That sounds wonderful! It’s always great to find a 2-in-1 product!
xx Alyssa
Mine is NOT wearing make-up 😉 An essential to keep away dry skin 😛
That definitely helps! Once I’m done with the semester I always try to have more no makeup days to pamper my skin 🙂
xx Alyssa
Face masks are possible my favourite skincare product everrr!
P.S. I love how your blog is snowing now, it’s soooo cute!
https://ciaraslittleblog.wordpress.com
They’re so great! I love trying new masks, there are so many to choose from! Especially during the winter when the wind is so harsh on skin! 🙂
xx Alyssa
My skin has been so dry, I definitely need some face masks to help my poor skin.
Angela | GoGypset.com
Hydrating face masks definitely help! I love the bubble clay mask for hydration, as well as any mask with anti-stress labels. Coconut oil is also great for adding moisture!
xx Alyssa
Face masks are my favorite! I love to buy and try new ones, but I also love to make homemade ones. One of my favorite thing to use in winter is plain coconut oil, as it moisturize my skin so much and I always desperately need it during the cold months.
They’re so amazing, definitely my favorite too! I’ll have to try making homemade masks! I LOVE coconut oil, it’s one of the best things!
xx Alyssa
My essential right now is moisturizer!
A good moisturizer is definitely a must! I’ve been loving the ones I’ve been using recently, they make my face feel so fresh and moisturized! Do you have a favorite moisturizer?
xx Alyssa
my favorite is moisturizer and chapstick
That’s a great combo! Do you have any favorites at the moment?
xx Alyssa
a good moisturizer is a must
It really is! One of my favorite skincare products! Do you have a favorite product at the moment?
xx Alyssa
During the winter I end up with crazy combination skin. Crazy oil acne and then out of nowhere dryness and flaking! So I use a good oil free moisturizer
I’m the same way! Not sure what it is! I love my moisturizer at the moment (the Lumene) because it’s light but also moisturizing enough 🙂
xx Alyssa
I usually don’t keep up with my skincare but moisturizing is a lifesaver. Today I resorted to Hempz hand lotion because my face was burning.
Moisturizing is definitely a life saver! I think Hempz might actually have some facial moisturizers, I might have to try them out!
xx Alyssa
my winter skincare essential right now is burt bee’s lip balm. I don’t know if that counts as skin care but i think of my lips as skin and they def need more attention this time of year.
Definitely! My lips tend to get chapped in the wintertime, and I love Burts Bees products and other natural lip balms!
xx Alyssa
Vaseline! For chapped lips. I’ve had awful chapped lips and apparently never tried vaseline. It’s been a life saver lately!
I haven’t tried that! I bet it’s wonderful, especially for windy days!
xx Alyssa
A good moisturizer.
Definitely! Do you have a favorite product at the moment?
Moisturizer and chapstick- both from lush if possible
I’ve never tried their moisturizers and chapsticks! Which ones are your favorite?
One of my winter skincare essentials is Simple facial scrub its gentle on the skin but leaves my skin feeling deep cleansed
It is great, I love that one too! 🙂
As a single working Mama of 3, I am getting DRY SKIN the older I get…my Winter Skincare Essential is VASELINE!! Great info in the post!
I’ll definitely have to try it out! I’ve heard it’s great for the winter! And thank you so much, I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for reading!
xx Alyssa
Chapstick. My lips get so dry this time of year!
Chapstick is one of my favorite essentials for wintertime!
A good BB cream
Agreed! I love the BB cream from the Body Shop with Tea Tree Oil, it’s so nice for dry skin in the winter!
I love using coconut oil in the Winter to help keep my skin moisturized.
Coconut oil is so amazing, and a great natural alternative to a lot of moisturizers!
My favorite beauty product at the moment is Palmers Coconut body butter for my dry skin
I’ve heard good things about that coconut butter!
My favorite product right now to battle dry skin is Bath & Body Works body cream. Not only are they scented nicely but they are rich and creamy hydration.
I love them! My favorite scent is currently the Caramel Pumpkin from their Fall selection!
That one sounds nice! I am currently using Winter Candy Apple.
My winter skincare essential thick moisturizer to keep my skin hydrated.
A great moisturizer is perfect for cold and windy winters!
My favorite in Curel skin hydrating lotion, i have very dry skin and this is my number one favorite!!!
I’ve never tried that brand, I will have to check it out!
I get really dry skin in the winter, I am using Eucerin right now.
Eucerin is great! I love moisturizers for the wintertime!
Burts Bees lip balm and hand cream because my lips get chapped and my hands extremely dry during the winter so I always carry those 2 items with me every where or find small tubes all over my house
I love everything Burts Bees! They have great face wash that keeps my skin moisturized in the winter as well!
Right now my chapstick is my favorite item — I’ve had a cold and my lips are really chapped. My Aveeno Hand Cream and my Olay nighttime moisturizer are essential too — winter dries out my skin terribly.
I know how you feel! Those sound wonderful!
I am using gold bond rough and bumpy and it is working great!
I’ll have to check that out, I haven’t tried it! I’m so glad you love it!
Moisturizer is my friend right now!!
Agreed! Especially in windy winter weather!
I love my Perfectly Posh cremes!
I’ve never heard of those, I will have to check them out!
I use my chapstick and lotions!
Always a wonderful combination for the winter weather!
I must have my Olay moisturizer! I also really like a brand called Florida Soap Company, they have an amazing Body Souffle for in the shower and it leaves my skin so moisturized!
That sounds amazing, I’ll have to check it out!
My favorite is definitely a face cream or cold cream at night. It prevents dryness and peeling all day long!
That’s great! I definitely love nighttime moisturizers!
I moisturize alot during winter because i get dry skin really easy
I do too, and moisturizers help so much!
At the moment my skincare essential is a Mario Badescu oil control mask- you wouldn’t think I’d get greasy in the winter, but my workouts would disagree!
I’ve heard wonderful things about that product!
Lotion is a must. My skin dries out so bad!
I definitely agree!
My skin is so dry in winter. I use coconut oil to stay soft.
Coconut oil is so amazing!
I moisturize my hands and feet every night before I go to bed.
*Nicole
Me too, my skin gets so dry in the winter!
I have been using aquaphor every night on my hands- they’re so dry!
Aquaphor is amazing!!
I love Dionis Lip Balm. The Crisp Pear is my favorite. I also use coconut oil as a moister.
That sounds so good!
Wrinkle creams and dry skin. I think I could bath in oil and my skin would be showing dry skin in a hour.
Moisturizers definitely help, but I do have to apply lots of layers in the winter!
My essential is coconut oil! My skin gets so itchy during the winter, this is the only thing that will help it!
addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com
Ashley C
Coconut oil is amazing!!
My chap stick is essential.
Chapstick is great! My lips get so chapped in the winter!
I love chapstick for the winter!
Chapstick is so essential!
Dove body wash
A moisturizing body wash is great for winter!
my winter skincare essential is face oil! I love Sunday Riley –crazy expensive but so worth it!
I’ve never tried face oil, but I’ve heard great things about it!
I use argon oil.
That’s great! I’ve used argan oil for my dry hair in the winter too!
My favorite winter skincare essential at the moment is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum! During the winter months I put it on before bed at night and before my makeup in the morning!
Wow that sounds amazing! It’s great to find a product that is good for both night and day!
My is Moisturizer …I use it on a daily base because my skin dry out so much
Moisturizer is a great winter essential!
Moisturizers of all sorts are a favorite for dry and parched wintery skin.
I love trying different ones, there are so many great kinds!
My Winter Skincare Essential is Vitamin C Serum.
I love skincare that contains Vitamin C! I have a few face washes and moisturizers with Vitamin C, and they definitely brighten my skin!
Moisturizers of all sorts are a favorite for dry and parched wintery skin.
I like my EOS hand lotion.
I love that EOS lotions are so portable!
Thanks for the chance to get a new cleansing brush especially at the time when I need one. The vitamin c moisturizer also intrigues me. I need to try that as well. I’m currently trying out new cleansers. I’ve been a Philosophy girl for years. #12daysto48
Of course, thank you so much for reading my blog! I love Philosophy products! They’re so great!
You’re so welcome and thank you!
My skin gets so dry in the wintertime that my winter essential is moisturizer…and lots of it! I like Mary Kay’s moisturizer…it always seems to work well for me.
I used to use their lip mask, it was wonderful! I also use lots of moisturizers in the winter!
Plenty of moisturizer and chap stick!
Definitely! That’s a great combo!
Right now I am using Ponds to try and help keep my skin from drying out!
They have great products!
I bet I can’t wait to give them a try. Crossing my fingers I win them!
I haven’t tried yours out but I would love too!
I’ve been using the Lumene moisturizer for a few weeks now and it has been amazing! My skin is always moisturized and the Vitamin C helps reduce scarring and brighten my skin!
I HAVE to have lots and lots of moisturizer during the winter! My skin gets soooo dry!
Me too! I generally have combination skin, but in the winter it gets quite dry!
My skin stays so dry in the winter so I keep Olay Complete Moisturizer on me always!
I’ve heard great things about that moisturizer!
This would be great for the cold winters we have here.
I wash my hands endlessly between my germy 3 year old and diaper changes for my 6 month old, and I moisturize with Neutrogena’s Moisture Wrap
I love using Olay Regenerist
I always make sure to stay hydrated and never forget to moisturize!
My favorite winter skincare essential is chapstick. I have to have it in my purse at all times. I can’t stand chapped lips.
For a 40 year old woman my skin is very oily I keep oil blotting paper in my purse
I am seriously excited to try the carbonated bubble clay mask. the fact that it’s a pig gave makes it even more fun!!#
I love to use Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Foot Cream in the winter to keep my heels from cracking.
I’m not out much in the weather but I need 2 try a new moisturizer.
I’m getting lots of wrinkles on my face 🙁
The cream I’m using is off brand and not working well:(
I have really dry skin and these woul be great to try out now. Thank you for telling us about them. This has been a big issue for me, so i want to see if these would help.
I have to use lots of moisturizers for my hands and my lips in the winter! I’ve also been using my cocoa butter stretch mark cream to help out since I’m 9 months pregnant!!
I’ve noticed that if I’m drinking more water during the day my skin and lips are a lot less dry.
I am currently using a store brand moisturizer. I have to moisturize everyday!
My favorite winter skincare essential is Oil of Olay. My skin (including my face) gets so dry. I’d love to try the Lumene Bright Now Vitamin C Moisturizer in SPF 15….sounds nice.
Thank you!
My favorite winter skincare essential is Olay facial moisturizer with SPF 15.
My favorite essential is moisturizer – air is dry enough already; the cold winter makes it worse.
My favorite is Neutrogena moisture lotion with sunscreen SPF 50.
I love clay masks to help cleanse my skin!
right now, my biggest winter defense is my moisturizer. Codl weather with dry inside heat …gotta have the moisturizer.
My winter care must have is coconut oil!!
Coconut oil!! I use it every day for my severely dry skin!
For my face year round is mask mask mask for oily congested pores. But my body gets super dry during the winter and I use aveeno on my body along with body creams from Bath and Body. My hands will crack and bleed if I don’t stay on top of them during the winter.
I use a lot of cocoa butter and body butters to keep myself mositurized
I just do straight soap and water but I should be doing something more
My favorite is this charcoal mask I bought off of Amazon. It is a japanese product, so I’m not actually sure of the name.
I always add coconut oil to my skin care routine during the winter.
My favorite winter skincare essential at the moment is a humidifier and lots of extra water intake along with L’oreal hydrafresh moisturizer.
My favorite winter essential is soap. It’s all I need to reveal my dewy freshness!
my favorite skin item is makeup/dirt remover wipes & also cerave moisturizing cream for dry spots on my face!
My winter skincare essential at the moment is shea butter! I use it on my face as my moisturizer and as a body butter!
I always have a good moisturizer and Chapstick in the winter time.
I have to make sure I always use a moisturizer on my combo skin or it gets so flaky and dry. I keep some on my lips too or they get so dry.
My medicated chap stick is a must have!
Plenty of moisturizer! Right now I am using Aveda. Thanks!
a good lotion