Winter Skin Care Routine: 4 Steps to Get You Through Winter

Winter is here, and it's time to take your skincare routine to the next level. It can be hard to know where to start when you have so many products available. But don't worry! We've created a winter skin care routine that will keep you looking radiant all season long and make your skin happy!

Step One: Cleanse your skin.

Cleanse your skin every day with a gentle cleanser so you do not strip the natural oils In the colder months, your skin can accumulate dirt, dead skin cells, and even make-up from harsh wind or cold weather conditions. A good cleanser will remove this build-up without drying out your skin.

It's important to cleanse your skin every day, no matter what the season. In winter, it's especially important to remove all of the dirt and makeup that can accumulate on your skin. Choose a gentle cleanser that won't strip your skin of its natural oils. My favorite cleanser is the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, Makeup Remover and Daily Face Wash. This is for normal to oily skin but does not dry out my skin too much. If you need a cleanser that can provide more moisture, try the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser.

**Try to use a toner that works well with your skin like the THAYER'S Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner with Aloe Vera Formula, Rose Petal after you cleanse your skin!

Looking for a new cleanser to help keep your skin healthy and glowing this winter? Check out our top picks!

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

This is my go-to facial cleanser. I have been using it for over two years now and love how it leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed without feeling dry or tight.

Boscia Charcoal Makeup Melting Cleansing Oil

This is a great option if you're looking for an oil-based cleanser. I love how it gently melts away all of my makeup (even the most stubborn eye makeup) without leaving my skin feeling oily or greasy.

Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment

If you're looking for a chemical exfoliant, this is the one to try! It's very effective and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth with no irritation at all. Plus it has an amazing citrus scent that I love.

Burt's Bees Essential Everyday Cleanser

This is a great option if you're looking for a more natural cleanser. It has an invigorating, fresh scent that I love and it leaves my skin feeling clean while still being gentle. Plus the large bottle lasts forever!

Step Two: Apply a moisturizer.

Apply a moisturizer to keep you looking healthy in the chilly air outside! Choose a product that contains hyaluronic acid if possible, as it works well at absorbing water into the outer layer of our skin where cells are more likely to dry up during these cooler temperatures. I like to use the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. This moisturizing cream can be used not just on your face but for your hands, knees, elbows and anywhere else you want to remedy flaky skin, dull skin, and irritated skin!

**Try using a serum like the Ordinary Vitamin C Serum to create a glowing complexion before applying a moisturizer! This has done wonders to brighten my skin and increase my skin health all year round!

Looking for a moisturizer that will hydrate your skin without feeling greasy? Check out our top picks!

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

This is my go-to winter moisturizer because it's super lightweight, absorbs quickly, creates a protective barrier, and doesn't leave me with any residue or greasiness behind. It also helps to soften the skin, reduce redness, and doesn't clog your pores.

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream

This eye cream is perfect for hydrating the under-eye area without being too heavy or greasy. It also has a unique yellow tint that helps brighten dark circles while you sleep! This one takes some getting used to but I love it now because of how lightweight it feels on my skin. :)

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Moisturizer

If you have normal/combination skin then this moisturizer will be ideal for you in wintertime - just make sure to use sunscreen with an SPF 15+ daily since this product does not contain any sun protection! I don't recommend it for those with oily skin types though, as it may be too heavy.

Step Three: Use an eye cream.

The skin around your eyes is thin and delicate, so it's important to use a specialized eye cream to keep it hydrated. Use an eye cream daily on any areas around the eyes that seem puffy or dry. You may notice dark circles under your eyes due to the colder weather, so it's important to use a cream that will help hydrate this delicate skin.

Looking for an eye cream that will help with those pesky dark circles and puffiness under your eyes? Check out our top picks!

The Ordinary Eye Serum with Caffeine

I have seen a drastic improvement in my baggy under eyes and dark circles since starting to use it over six months ago. I apply this right after I apply my Vitamin C serum and then moisturize. Highly recommend!

Caudalie Vinoperfect Eye Serum Anti-Dark Circles Concentrate

This is a more expensive but luxurious eye serum. I have been using this for years and definitely notice a difference when I'm not consistent with it on days that my under-eye area looks puffy or dark circles are worse than usual. This one absorbs easily, glides smoothly over the skin, and leaves no residue behind so you can apply concealer and foundation without any problems.

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Brightening Eye Serum

I only started using this about a month ago but it has quickly become one of my favorites! It's very lightweight so I don't feel like I'm wearing anything on my eyes, absorbs quickly, and doesn't cause any stinging or irritation. It also helps to brighten the under-eye area and diminish any dark circles.

Step Four: Protect your skin from the sun.

Don't forget to protect your skin from the sun! The winter sun can be just as damaging as the summer sun, so make sure you're using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. I personally use CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30, Sunscreen, and Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid & Ceramides.

Looking for a sunscreen that will protect your skin from the sun but doesn't feel heavy or greasy? Check out our top picks!

CeraVe Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

This sunscreen is perfect for everyday use, non-greasy, and doesn't leave a white cast on your skin. I have been using it for about two years now and love it! This lightweight formula protects your asking from free radicals and UV rays even during the winter months.

COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 20

This is my go-to sunscreen for when I'm going to be spending time outside but don't want to wear a full face of makeup. It has an SPF 20, comes in a variety of shades, and doesn't make my skin feel oily or heavy.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid

This sunscreen is ideal for those with oily/combo skin like myself. It's very lightweight and absorbs quickly without leaving a white cast or feeling greasy. It also has an SPF of 60 which is one of the highest on the market.

One final tip for the Ultimate Healthy Skin Routine: Drink Water!

One of the most important things you can do for your skin during the winter drinks plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps to keep your skin healthy and looking its best. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day, more if you're active or live in a cold climate.

Thanks for reading! I hope this winter skincare routine helps you keep your skin looking its best all season long. Be sure to check out our other skincare posts for more helpful advice and different routines you can follow. What's your winter skincare routine? What are your favorite products to use in the winter?

Product Review: Makartt P-01 Nail Extension Gel Kit

I recently purchased this nail extension gel kit, and I’m finally feeling like I can provide a decent review. I have been doing my own nails for quite awhile now, but previously was only using UV gel polish. The UV Gel Polish I prefer to use is from Red Carpet Manicure. I purchased an entire starter kit from Ulta years ago, and I would say it was a wonderful investment. The Red Carpet Manicure Kit came with a UV light, pre & post cleaner, gel polish remover, prep, base coat, color polish, final top coat, cuticle pusher and a nail file. It been years since I purchased the kit, but I want to say it was on sale for approximately $100. For me that’s a rather large purchase, however when I considered it’s at least $40 to get just one gel polish manicure in my area, I decided to go ahead and make the purchase. Everything that comes in the kit lasts quite a long time. The different colored polishes run approximately $9.99/ea at Ulta, and they have coupons frequently making them even cheaper. At those prices, I can afford to have nice nails all the time.

Anyhow, lets get back to this recent purchase. As my schedule has gotten increasingly busy, I find myself not always having time to stop and do my nails. I’ll remove the polish, but quite frankly, be too lazy to then do my nails right then and there. My nails grow very quickly when they are protected by polish, however when they are bare, they don’t stand a chance. Naturally, my nails are very thin and brittle. The tear and rip I swear just by looking at them. With that being said, lately my nails have been too short to really have the nice look that I prefer. One day I stumbled across this kit on Amazon, and decided to give it a try. At the time of my purchase, I paid $38.24 for the kit. Again, I’m frugal and had to think about the purchase for awhile before hitting the “Proceed To Checkout” button. Thinking again at how much one manicure would cost at a salon, I decided to go ahead and treat myself.

Below are the images that you will find with the Amazon listing, including the easy to follow application instructions. As well as pictures of my latest application. (The gorgeous ring I’m wearing is available to purchase via Frugal Fashionista). Initially I had concerns regarding the nail forms that would be provided. I have weird nail beds and any time I’ve purchased those press on nails, they typically don’t line up very well. To my surprise, this kit comes with SEVERAL form sizes. During my first use, I sorted thru the entire bag and picked the 5 sizes I would use and put all the rest in a baggy. I just use 5 for one hand and then the same 5 for the other hand. Another great thing about this kit is that there’s enough gel provided for several applications. When you think of the number of manicures you’ll get out of this kit, it’s definitely worth it.

Now for the cons. Since I had never worked with applying acrylic or a gel base like this, the first application took what seemed like FOREVER. Because you apply some gel in the nail form and then press that form onto your natural nail, (which will usually be shorter than the length of the gel base that you have spread out), it tends to smoosh downward creating a very thick looking nail. I didn’t realize this during my first application until I had already cured the gel under the UV light and at that point it was too late to fix. Since then, I have realized I don’t need to use as much gel and I flip my hand palm side up, and gently press the gel back towards the form so that it’s flat like a natural nail and not so thick.

Another con is that I was hoping to not have to paint these nails. As the images show hands with just the colored gel. I have yet to be able to apply the gel base on all my fingers without seeing some air bubbles up towards my cuticle. It would drive me absolutely nuts to have to stare at those bubbles, so I have been applying colored gel polish to finish. So far those are my only complaints. I’m sure I’ll get better each time I apply these and may eventually be good enough that I don’t get those bubbles and be satisfied with just the gel base and not need a gel polish too. If you’re interested in reviewing these on amazon click here or click on the very last image below and it will send you to the link that I used to purchase these. If you do make a purchase, feel free to come back and comment leaving your own review. I hope this helps in your decision making.