Skincare Routine - Winter Edition

For those who know me, will know that I take extreme pride in my skincare. If I get a pimple, I know how to treat it, and will even teach you how to treat it, if you ever wanted to know. I was thinking of doing a post in the future about pimple and black-head extraction since I do get some questions about it on occasion (let me mull it over...)

Anyways, it may seem that I am quite excessive when it comes to the amount of products used on my face, however, your skin is only going to be as good as you treat it and take care of it in your lifetime. It is also important to note that skin care alone, cannot help you achieve flawless skin. What you put into your body, and consume, also affects how your skin reacts. 

As the seasons change in Toronto, so does my skin - I have oily/combination skin in the summer time, and oily t-zone/dry rest of the face in the winter time. Therefore, I have to adapt my routine to the changing seasons and temperatures.

Products for the Face featured in the picture above include:
1. Bioderma - Sebium H20
I use this every night to remove my make-up before following it up with cleanser

2. Paula's Choice - Resist Cleanser*
Used both night and day. I opt for a cream cleanser in the colder months, especially winter because it is more moisturizing and not as stripping to the skin.

3. Paula's Choice - Resist Toner*
It doesn't matter really what toner I use, I just use what I can get my hands on.

4. For Beloved One  Hyaluronic Acid GHK-Cu Moisturizing Serum*
This has been the newest addition to my skin routine and I am in love with it. I see a visible difference in my skin. It is more moisturized and plump and ultra soft.

5. Paula's Choice - Mattifying Fluid*
My day cream always needs to be hydrating, but not make my skin feel weighed down. I want it to do its job and absorb quickly as I tend to follow up with make-up application right after.

6. Schaf - Eye Cream*
Used both night and day. It is slightly yellow tinted to brighten up the under eye and isn't too rich. it absorbs really quickly and doesn't cause creasing.

7. Laneige - Water Sleeping Mask*
I use this as my night cream every night. I know it says that it is a sleeping mask, but it provides me with hydration and absorbs quickly, leaving me with plump skin in the morning. Even though it claims to be a mask, it is a gel formula so after you apply it, it quickly sinks in fast enough to sleep without fear of rubbing it all over your pillow.

8. Indie Lee - Blemish Stick
My holy grail item - it stops any acne flare-ups in its tracks. I use this only when needed.

**Something I forgot to include in the picture above is an exfoliator. I always make sure to exfoliate my skin at least twice a week, to make sure I get rid of any dead skin and prevent any clogged pores or blackheads. My go-to has been the Schaf Exfoliator or the St. Ives - Apricot Scrub.


Products for the hand and body include:
1. Jergens - Moisturizer for Wet SkinI favor the green tea one vs. the coconut one. The coconut one actually smells really waxy and artificial - not a fan at all. The green tea one smells refreshing and I prefer this over to the Nivea one (sorry!).  With this one, I feel the results instantly vs. the Nivea one that actually took almost a week.

2. Ultra Repair Cream - Intense Therapy
This has been a holy grail item for me the last two years. I have recommended this to my friends and coworkers and they have all loved it. It is amazing for my eczema prone skin on my hands in the winter time - it does not irritate it or cause any flare-ups. Instead, it helps reduce the irritation I get. It absorbs quickly and is unscented. I keep a smaller tube of this in my purse too.

3. Love Fresh - Guava Hand Lotion
I was introduced to this company at the One of a Kind Show. Being a Canadian Company with products hand made by a lady called Stacey Davis, I have also learnt to appreciate and scout out products made by local artisans. My favorite of the three scents is Guava - it also comes in Vanilla Bean and Spearmint.

4. Bioderma - Ultra-Nourishing Balm *
This lotion is what I use for my dry scaley legs. It doesn't have a greasy glycerin like texture or formula. It isn't scented and it absorbs super quickly. I felt an immediate difference right away and I only needed one pump for each leg - so a little goes a long way.

Weekly/Bi-Weekly Skin Treatments:

It is important to also pamper your skin with a weekly mask treatment. What I use as a mask, will depend on how my skin is feeling for those few days before hand. You always need to trust in what your skin is telling you - whether it is too oily, too dehydrated or just in need of a pick me up.

The three products below are my go-to's: 1) Laneige - Mulberry Yogurt Repairing Mask: This smells like dessert. I want to eat it! smells like strawberry ice cream! This product is very moisturizing, I use it when my cheeks are feeling dehydrated. 2) For Beloved One - Any of their masks*: As this is more of a luxurious item, I only save this to be used maybe once a month? or perhaps before an event when I want a glow to my skin. 3) Origins - Clear Improvement Mask: I use it for when my skin is really oily or when my skin is feeling like a break out is going to happen. I also occasionally use this as a spot treatment over any break outs. It sucks the gunk of oil out of your skin and helps with black heads, especially if you are looking to follow-up with an extraction.

One tip I can pass on to you is to multi-mask. Your skin will not equally be the same all over on your face - especially if you're like me, with oily/combination skin. So for example, I usually use the Origins Clear Improvement Mask on my T-Zone, and the Laneige Mulberry Yogurt Mask on my forehead and cheeks.


What are some of your favorite winter skin essentials? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Until next time - XO, M

No comments