It’s turned much colder this week so I thought it was time for a winter skincare post. The low temperatures, harsh winds, lack of humidity, hot interiors, and exercising outside all wreak havoc on the skin in the winter. I’m touching on my favorite procedures and products, many of which could be used by men as well as women, to combat dry and flaky skin on your face and body.

I’ve missed a lot of things during the pandemic but facials with Leah at Mario Badescu is a big one. I’ve been seeing her for more than 15 years and while she assured me that they are taking lots of precautions at the spa, I just don’t feel safe going anyplace where I won’t be wearing a mask. So I have to give myself facials at home with the Aira Ionic Facial Steamer which happens to be very on sale now. Steaming is great for hydration or before you want to do your own extractions.

My facialist does two masks after steaming but I usually just do one unless I’m feeling indulgent. The Mario Badescu Healing and Soothing Mask has been my go to for years since it’s gentle and doesn’t dry out quickly so I can leave it on longer. Afterward, I always use Dermalogical Daily Microfoliant for extra exfoliating. At Mario Badescu, I usually get the gold mask as an add on. You can use the Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Mask Pure Luxury Lift & Firm at home.

I started using my Clarisonic again during quarantine and shocked to learn that the company went out of business. I think a cleansing brush is great for extra exfoliation and to stimulate blood flow. A great alternative is this Facial Cleansing Brush that is currently on sale right now.

In the winter, you need to use a creamier facial cleaner and my favorite Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Brightening & Exfoliating Daily Cleanser is perfect. Emulsify it first in your hands before applying to your face. I also still love Kiehl’s Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion especially to help combat maskne. Even though my facialist told me I don’t need it, I use Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion preventively to keep my skin clear.

The best new product I bought last year is Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil. “There’s only one ingredient in this luxe, multipurpose moisturizer: plum-seed oil. It’s quick-absorbing and practically weightless but nourishes and moisturizes like crazy with antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and polyphenols. The oil works brilliantly for face, hair, and body.” I was only using it in the morning but I recently started using it at night and I wake up looking refreshed. It’s sold out but pre-order it now because it’s definitely worth the wait.

I ran out of most of my Dr. Barbara Sturm products so I decided to see what else I had in my beauty closet. I started using La Prairie Cellular Platinum Rare but I think they’ve transitioned it to Platinum Rare Haute-Rejuvenation Cream. I had no idea it was so expensive when I started using it so I’m sorry. Some other heavy creams I love for winter are Chanel Sublimage La Crèam Texture Suprême, La Mer Cream de la Mer, and Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich.

I stopped using Glyderm Cream Plus 12 for a little while and regretted it. To keep it from drying my face out too much, I used it at night over Dr. Barbara Sturm Night Serum or Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil and then top it off with Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Light which I haven’t run out of yet.

Exfoliation is the best way to keep your skin clear and looking younger by slothing off dead skin cells. I try to use Cane + Austin 30% Miracle Daily Facial Resurfacing Treatment Wipes in the morning while I’m checking my emails and before I do my morning skincare regime. Once a week, I use Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask for super soft skin.

If you have any maskne spots, dab this Mario Badescu Healing Powder on them with q-tip. It takes down the redness and heals and can be used over makeup. It’s one of my all time favorite products.

Don’t forget that you still need sunscreen in the winter and especially if you are using peel pads or having laser treatments. I love La Roche-Posay Tinted Mineral Ultra-Light Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 50 since it doesn’t leave a white film on my face.

Another thing I really miss are lash tints. They make my eyelashes look so much darker and thicker but they don’t seem safe to get right now either. In the meantime, I’m using RevitaLash to lengthen them and RevitaBrow to grow in my brows while no one is seeing me.

I had my first Clear + Brilliant Laser in a year with Dr. Wade in late October and I really needed it since I usually get them done 2-3 times a year. Winter is also a great time to get a laser treatment. You shouldn’t do them in the summer since sun exposure will negate the effects. They’ve made a huge difference in my skin texture, hyperpigmentation, and the tightness around my jawline since I’ve started getting them in 2013. There is only one night of social downtime for this laser but regular Fraxel might require a week or even two of downtime. IPL doesn’t have any downtime and it’s a great laser for hyperpigmentation and redness. There are also tightening lasers so talk to your doctor this winter about what you should be doing.

I have an appointment with Dr. Wade on Friday for a little Botox between my brows and maybe a little filler. This pandemic has me off my usual schedule but I’m trying to get back on track so I’m ready to face the world again when it’s over.

I’m still using the Newa Radio Frequency Device off and on since I bought it this summer. Radio frequency encourages the growth of collagen which plays an essential role in building smooth and plump skin. I use it in the morning since the Glyderm product is so strong. I don’t think my jawline has been so defined in years. You use the device five days a week for four months and then you transition to two days a week. After I’m finished, I use the NuFace Fix around my eyes to depuff them.

You can use microcurrent and nannocurrent devices in conjunction with the Newa so I alternate my NuFace Mini three days a week and the Ziip Beauty device two days a week. I read that you get great results when you combine radio frequency with microcurrent.

The DMH Aesthetics LED Light Shield Mask was a quarantine present to myself. I love that you can watch tv or scroll Instagram while wearing it unlike other LED masks. LED light has been shown to speed healing, boost anti-aging properties, and kill bacteria. The blue LED light is often used for acne treatment.

More than anything this winter, you need a humidifier to keep your skin hydrated. I usually hate the look of them but the Stadler Form Oskar Humidifier is the least offensive looking model.

Dry brushing is supposed to help detox your body when done before showering. It certainly feels invigorating and wakes you up. Make sure you follow the directions to brush upward. I really wish I could remember to do it every day but I think I’ll make that one of my goals for the rest of winter.

I prefer bar soap to gel body washes so I use a Dove Beauty Cream Bar. It’s recommended by dermatologists and is very hydrating.

After I shower I use either Kiehl’s Cream de Corps, La Roche-Posay Lipkar Balm AP+, or Kiehl’s Mom & Baby Nurturing Body Oil to lock in moisture. They’re all great for dry winter skin.

At night, I use Advanced Clinicals Retinol Cream. It’s for your face but I use it on my body to combat skin aging. I also use the Augustinus Bader Body Cream which was a splurge purchase last year. It’s supposed to help your skin tone and texture. I don’t use it regularly enough to notice so I’m going to try to use it nightly going forward.

My absolute favorite hand and body cream is Weleda Skin Food. You can’t use it on wet skin so I use it throughout the day and before bed. I prefer the original cream in the tube to the body butter. Some people use it on their face but I haven’t been adventurous enough to try it yet.

When I would go to the CVS in my neighborhood, I would walk down the aisle with all the Gold Bond products. They all sounded very interesting and many were formulated for specific skin issues and were very reasonably priced. I started using the Gold Bond Dark Spot Minimizing Body Cream and  Gold Bond Ultimate Neck & Chest Firming Cream at night which both work great. The Softening Foot Cream is a new favorite.

I use the Gold Bond Overnight Deep Moisturizing Skin Therapy Lotion at night before bed and I swear it helps me sleep more soundly. I also like the Gold Bond Radiance Renewal Hydrating Lotion after my shower and before bed too.

If you have sensitive skin, the Premium Triple Cream is meant for babies so it’s non-irritating and fragrance free, as well as, healing, soothing, and moisturizing. I prefer the tube to the tub since I think it’s more hygienic.

Another pandemic purchase was the Tria Hair Removal Laser. I’ve had real laser hair removal but needed a few places touched up. Since I can’t go to a salon to have it done, I decided to just take care of it myself at home. You have to turn it up to the highest setting for it to work which also makes it sting a little. You can use a cream with lidocaine before you use it to help with the pain. Just make sure you only use it one area at a time and not all over.

I’ve also bought I few products that I haven’t had a chance to use yet.are the JLo Beauty That Limitless Glow Sheet Masks get great reviews so I’m going to try it tomorrow and will post my thoughts in Stories. I just ordered the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment Peel so I’ll try them once they arrive. Someone on Instagram recommended the Earthen Instant Peel but I haven’t used it yet. I’m wondering if it would be good to use a few days after a Clear + Brilliant Laser to help sloth off the dry skin. I will ask Dr. Wade when I see her Friday.

I know I use a lot of products and devices. I like trying new things and sharing my discoveries with you. I also don’t use them all in one day. But in all honesty, I don’t have a lot of other things going on right now so skincare is my major focus.

XOXO,

HC