Rescue Your Skin from Winter
Product images from retailers, Graphic: Style / Substance x LKS
Last week we talked about remedies to reduce dry hair in the winter, which has inevitably teed up this week's feature on remedies to rescue dry skin. Between hand washing with warm water constantly, hot showers to keep warm, and thermostats turned up, this combination strips down hydration and doubles down on dry, itchy, cracked, flakey, chapped skin all around. It's never too late to target dry areas and do your best to stay ahead of the heat game.
Almost all of the products on this round-up are in my own personal beauty arsenal, those that aren't come highly tested and recommended by my styling clients who swear by their effectiveness and daily use. Here is the definitive guide to preventing and nourishing dry skin during this long, harsh season.
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Set the Scene
Whether you’re looking to add moisture to the air or breathe easy with an added aroma, a humidifier and diffuser are two solid options to keep your home in a state of equanimity amidst your thermostats turned up and your systems pumping out dry, hot air.
Dyson 303515-01 AM10 Humidifier
AMAzon $589
Vitruvi Stone Diffuser
west elm $120
Light Moisture on First Layer
Start your moisture absorbing layers with a lightweight daily face cream. I often replace primer with an oil or watery based cream to plump my face before I apply makeup. Although oil can breakdown long-lasting wear formulas in foundations, it keeps your skin from drying out while in dried out spaces.
Radha Beauty USDA Certified Organic Rosehip Seed Oil
AMAZON $14.95
Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Revitalizing Day Cream
AMAZON $75
Scrub Gently & Cleanse with Soothing Wash
Mixing up your exfoliating wash with a gentle cleanser will keep your skin balanced and void of any dry or dead skin cells. Look to do cleansing while in the shower to let the steam open your pores.
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Polish Scrub
NORDSTROM $25
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
AMAZON $11.49
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Pore Exfoliating Treatment
SEPHORA $98
First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser
NORDSTROM $24
Lather on Heavy Cream
Don’t be afraid to apply extra goopy face moisturizer to let your face soak up all the hydration. I apply throughout the entire day (morning, noon, and night), particularly when I’m wearing minimal makeup — think of this like your external water bottle.
Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Crème Moisturizer
ULTA $64
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
AMAZON $17
Brighten Your Eyes
Reduce puffiness and redness, particularly in the outer corner of your eyes and infuse moisture into dark circles. These two eye creams are my go-to lightweight formulas that absorb, brighten and leave long-lasting hydration.
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening + Depuffing Eye Cream for Dark Circles
SEPHORA $65
Dr. Barbara Sturm Eye Cream
SEPHORA $140
Lip Service with Love
Dry cracked lips are the worst. And it’s an area of the face that once these symptoms of winter kick in, they’re challenging to quickly reverse. Which is why regularly moisturizing and masking the lips is critical to protecting and avoiding any recurring discomfort. I rotate between restorative lip masks (especially at bedtime) and easy to reach for daily ointments on repeat.
Tatcha The Kissu Restorative Lip Mask
SEPHORA $28
Blistex Medicated Lip Balm, 3 Ct.
AMAZON $2.84
Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment
AMAZON $3.97
Bite Beauty Agave+ Intensive Vegan Lip Mask
SEPHORA $26
Mix in Masks Throughout your Week
Make time to mask up whether during your evening routine or while getting ready in the morning. I alternate between a full face mask and these cooling eye gel pads on a weekly basis. They’re especially helpful after a rough night of sleep!
SK-II Pitera Facial Treatment Mask, 6 Ct.
SEPHORA $95
SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Mask, 6 ct.
AMAZON $48
Body Wash & Moisture
Gentle, nourishing body wash, moisturizers and oils can often be overlooked until the moment of critical need. We get used to our regular washes and moisturizers as-necessary, but a contiguous gentle application with high-octane impact are critical during the winter season. Like facial applications, the rest of our bodies need layering of care and hydration. Bonus: the oils do double duty with feeding hydration without clogging pores and leaving skin looking polished.
Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash
AMAZON $6.95
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration Face & Body Moisturizer
NORDSTROM $38
Radha Beauty Fractionated Coconut Oil
AMAZON $14.95
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Normal to Dry Skin
AMAZON $16.25
Keep Your Nails & Hands Happy
All the exposure to hot water and excess (necessary) hand washing inevitably wreak havoc on our hands, nails and cuticles. Often the first sign of dryness, this season calls for regular application to avoid red, chapped skin or elongated healing on any unwanted scrapes.
Aveeno Skin Relief 24-Hour Moisturizing Lotion for Sensitive Skin
AMAZON $5.98
French Girl Organic Nail & Cuticle Oil
AMAZON $24
K. Ferrara Color Advanced Hand Repair Treatment
K. Ferrara $26
CND Solar Oil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner
ULTA $12.50
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