Winter Skincare Favorites – What I’m Using Right Now

Now that we are deep into winters, my dry skin tends to get dull, flaky and surely needs extra TLC to shield it from the elements. For today’s post, I thought of putting together a list of skincare products that I have been using these days to add a much needed boost of hydration. I have already talked about a few of these products and some of them are new additions to my skincare regimen

So, here are some of the things keeping my skin happy this winter!

Mineral Fusion Ultimate Moisture Facial cleanser – This has become my HG face wash because it cleanses thoroughly by taking every bit of grime off my face without ever leaving my skin dry or tight. It’s a gentle, all-natural cleanser formulated with hydrating ingredients for dry/sensitive skin types like mine but I think it should work well even for those with normal to combination skin. Here is my detailed review

Devita Solar Body Block SPF 30+ – Ever since I found this product, I can’t stop raving about it simply because it has everything I look for in a facial moisturizer with SPF – All-natural, broad-spectrum UV protection with mineral suncreen, non-greasy yet nourishing formula, NO white cast and free of fragrance/irritating ingredients. Read my full review here to learn more about it.

Elizabeth Arden Hydrating Facial Mask – Love this stuff!! It is a well-formulated, highly moisturizing facial mask that I use on the weekends to pamper my skin. It has a creamy consistency that spreads easily and then I leave it on for  5- 10 minutes after which it rinses off without any mess. The smell is gorgeous too. I just love the way how it makes my skin feel smooth & silky-soft and also gives me a pretty subtle glow!

Coming over to my night routine now –

Paula’s choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol – The name says it all! Packed with skin-protecting antioxidants and retinol, this anti-aging serum is formulated for normal to very dry and sensitive skin and makes my skin feel wonderfully silky as dry, flaky patches vanish! I just smooth a small amount onto my face and also around the eyes after cleansing and toning at bedtime and don’t feel the need for a separate night/eye cream.

Devita Evening Rich Nutritional Moisturizer – This new kid on the block has quickly become my favorite! Don’t be misled by the name because this is no thick, rich emulsion but a fantastic anti-aging moisturizer that’s not heavy or greasy at all and leaves a matte finish. The fragrance-free, natural formula also works beautifully as my eye cream and I think it should work well for most skin types including sensitive skin. I use it every other night in rotation with the antioxidant serum mentioned above. Here is my detailed post about this moisturizer.

Paula’s choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant – I hardly use any scrubs in my routine but make sure to use this 8% glycolic acid gel twice a week to exfoliate my skin for a smooth complexion and help fade signs of sun-damage. I prefer to use this at night-time before my serum/moisturizer and let it soak for a couple of minutes. Just a dime-sized amount is good enough to cover my face (avoiding the eye area) and neck. It can be used every other day or less, whatever works best for you. You might experience a slight stinging sensation when you start using this product depending on your skin’s sensitivity to glycolic acid. However, don’t forget to cover up your skin everyday with a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher when using any glycolic acid exfoliant.

So, here are my winter skin savers! Do you change your skincare routine as the temperatures drop? What are some of your winter skincare staples?