Welcome back to you all!
If you have dry skin, just like me, I am sure that by now the battle between your skin and the cold weather has begun. Imagine starting your day with a skincare regime, which is not only therapeutic but also brightens and freshens your day and skin. Therefore, today, I will be sharing with you my personal skincare routine which will work wonders on your skin in the long term.
First things first, you need to start by differentiating between your morning and nighttime skincare routines. Day time routine is for protection from pollution, harsh weather, and UV rays (which are still causing harm to your skin in winter and also on those cloudy days when you don't get to see the sun). Nighttime skincare is completely focused on repair and growth.
My daily look to work doesn't involve a lot of makeup except for that kajal, liner, mascara, and lipstick. Yes, you read that right. No makeup is what is good for the skin. But, if you love makeup ( P.S which most of us do!!) or if that is what you would love to use on a daily basis, you can still use this routine before you start with your primer and base. With that said, it's time to follow a strict regime to get that glowing skin from within; without putting much effort into getting that perfect makeup on a daily basis.
It has taken a few years for me to figure out the perfect morning routine that works well for my schedule and skin, which you will have to personally shape to fit your day and skin as well. However, slowly but surely, this routine has given me healthier, clearer, and more glowy skin over the years. So be sure to stick to the routine and wait for the results to unfold patiently ( I am sure you will thank yourself for that extra patience!!)
Step 1: Cleanser
When choosing a cleanser, look for something that does not irritate or dry out your skin. Your skin should not feel tight or flaky after using your cleanser. Over the years, I have tried a few good cleansers which are budget-friendly as well as some with a higher range. When choosing your face wash, look for products that include ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. Niacinamide is especially good if you are suffering from redness or inflammation. My picks for you are:
Step 2: Hydrating Toner
Keeping your skin hydrated is the key to maintain a glowing and healthy complexion. Unfortunately, many toners are harsh and dehydrating on the skin. However, the benefits outweigh the risk. Toners tighten your pores, decrease oil, and most importantly preps your skin to absorb all that serum and moisturizer that you will be applying later. I would suggest always stick to an alcohol-free toner when you have dry skin. If you are on a budget or if you love the fragrance of rose, you can also use rose water. Since many toners are dehydrating, I found these two to be the best for dry skin so far among the ones that I have tried.
I am presently using The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Toner as it very hydrating and plumps up my skin instantly.
Step 3: Serum
Vitamin C
You must be already thinking of skipping to the moisturizer or SPF after the toner. But, serums are concentrated ingredients required to treat and address issues that each one of us has. These issues vary from individual to individual. However, most of us have to opt for antioxidant protection which helps to address hyperpigmentation mainly; be it that scar from long-gone acne, dullness, aging, or an uneven skin tone.
I would personally suggest to incorporate a Vitamin C serum or concentrate in your daily morning routine to brighten up your skin. You could also opt for an SPF with Vitamin C like The Body Shop Vitamin C Face Lotion SPF 30 ( But, I feel this to be too heavy on the skin and leaves a white patch like some of the drugstore sunscreens. Therefore, not suggested for brown or dark-skinned beauties). I have been using Vitamin C concentrate from Deciem The Ordinary and it is the best one for my dry skin to date. Another recommendation would be CORX Triple C Lightening Serum. You have to use any Vitamin C product consistently at least for a month to start seeing results.
NOTE: Never skip SPF if you are using Vitamin C in any form as it makes your skin sensitive to UV rays. NO SPF means NO to Vitamin C as well!!
Hyaluronic Acid
Other serums can also be used along with Vitamin C or individually depending on your issue. One of my favorites to combine with Vitamin C is hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a game-changer for your dry skin with almost an instant hydrating and plumping effect. As we age, our body slows down the production of hyaluronic acid just like elastin and collagen. Our skin starts aging from the time we reach 23-24 but the effect is visible only after certain years. Therefore, it is important to stimulate the production of these key factors early on. This can be achieved from within by maintaining a healthy diet and externally by using serums either in the form of sheet masks or liquid concentrates.
I have been using only one hyaluronic acid concentrate from the very beginning, which I will be sticking on to as well and that is the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 from Deciem The Ordinary. Make sure to apply this right after your toner when the skin is still wet to reap the maximum benefit.
Step 4: Moisturizer and SPF
To give your skin complete protection from the harsh cold weather, a thicker moisturizer like the CeraVe Cream, La Roche-Posay Toleraine Double Repair, and also the Vitamin E series from The Body shop are all equally great. I love to use The Body shop Vitamin E face lotion with SPF 30 as it has the best hydration as well as an SPF in one bottle. However, if you have extremely dry skin then it is always better to use the Vitamin E moisture cream and then use the face lotion with SPF for best results. Another suggestion for a combined moisturizer and SPF is the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30.
So, beauties, I hope this article helps you combat the dry skin this winter!! You can always write to me for more details or questions. I will give my sincere reviews of the products based on my personal experience. Also, please do visit my Instagram handle for a video which will be posted soon on the Morning Skincare routine using The body shop Vitamin E series. Do not forget to follow me on Instagram and share it with your friends!!