Hi friends!
Being that it’s winter (i.e. the worst time of year for skin full-stop), and that it’s been a year since I last spoke about my skincare routine, I thought today we could talk about what I’m currently using to keep my skin as hydrated and supple as possible this season. My new and improved (P.M.) winter skincare routine! If you did not catch the 2019 edition of this, then I’ll link that here for you.
Now, things have definitely changed since last year’s routine. I’m using more products for sure (whoops). I’m definitely not exfoliating as much (don’t come for me). I’m really upping my game in the categories of cleansing, moisturizing and eye cream (woohoo). However, I’m still keeping it to 4 simple steps (success!). Despite everything, I’m still lazy and I want to get into bed at night as quickly as possible. No time for messing around with tons of skincare steps; I’m not trying to give myself a spa experience every time I apply my skincare!
My winter skincare routine product line-up
(REFERENCE: my skin is as dry as the Sahara all year long, which is my main pain point. I’ve also just hit the bottom threshold of my late 30’s. Currently my skin doesn’t exhibit too many signs of age, nor do I have much hyperpigmentation or texture.)
So enough chatter, let’s get into the steps and products now. Wherever I’ve done more in-depth reviews and posts on any particular product, I will definitely link those along the way in case you want more info.
STEP ONE – CLEANSE
I’ve definitely gotten more into cleansing in the past year. I think I just needed to find the right product that was easy to use and didn’t irritate or sting my sometimes sensitive skin.
Before I hop into the shower, I apply a generous dollop of my new favorite – the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser – all over my face and gently massage it in with lukewarm water. I don’t spend too much time here but just enough to get most of the makeup (including mascara) off my face. I then take a slightly damp towel and remove the residue. This cleanser is extremely gentle but effective at the same time (and not much money) – a total win!
After I come out of the shower, I’m ready to do the rest of my routine. Sometimes mascara can be such a bitch, and after cleansing and showering I still have some flakes or bits clinging to my lashes for dear life. This is when I get out a cotton pad and a bit of the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, and gently run over the entirety of my face to get those last little bits off.
Read more here: Gentle. Affordable. Let’s talk CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
STEP TWO – SERUM
I just started using this serum from Neutrogena a few weeks ago, and I’m really enjoying it so far. It’s called the Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum, and its key ingredient is hyaluronic acid. It’s got quite a thin, runny consistency and it’s extremely smooth, just gliding across the skin with very little effort. I’d say it absorbs rather quickly into the skin, but certainly leaves behind a hydrated and smoothed (is that a word?) feel.
I’m happy to report that it hasn’t broken me out or done anything funky to my skin, but I’ve had pretty good luck with Neutrogena products in the past (either skincare or makeup). The only drawback with this product is the presence of fragrance, which sits at about the middle of the ingredient list. If you tend to get irritated or have philosophical issues with the inclusion of fragrance, I would steer clear of this product.
STEP THREE – MOISTURIZER AND OIL
For a lot of people, moisturizer and oil are two different steps. But like I said earlier, I’m lazy and I want this all to be quick, so I combine both together. I’ve talked about my love for The Ordinary Virgin Chia Seed Oil on here before, but to bring you up to speed if you’re not a regular reader – it’s a beautiful lightweight, but still hydrating facial oil. I’m nearly out of my bottle and would 100% repurchase it!
So this is what I do. I squeeze out two drops of the Chia Seed Oil into a very generous few dollops of the La Mer Moisturizing Cream and mix on the back of my hand. I then just dot the concoction all over my face and massage it in.
Now, let’s talk about the La Mer cream. Ugh, this is not for the faint of heart. I’m using a 15 mL sample size that I got in a gift bag at an event last year…but I’m honestly thinking of buying the larger 30 mL size when I’m finished! I know, it’s crazy – that’s $180.00 after all! What am I thinking?? But it’s so luxuriously thick and creamy, and perfect for really dry winter skin I tell you! The combination of the Chia Seed Oil and the La Mer gives my skin that just-had-a-facial-glow unlike any other moisturizer I’ve used.
I know there’s a lot of people out there who can’t stand this product because of the price, and the fact that it contains both mineral oil and petroleum. Personally I’m not an ingredient crusader, but I don’t begrudge you if you are. I’m more concerned with how a product makes my skin feel and look, and how efficacious it is for me personally.
Read this: Quick thoughts! The Ordinary Chia Seed Oil
STEP FOUR – EYE CREAM
Lastly, eye cream. Since I wear contacts and makeup almost every day, I like to make sure my eye area gets really hydrated and nourished at night. First I start with a really generous amount of the Lancôme Advanced Genifique Yeux Light Pearl, a thick serum that’s delivered via a cooling metal applicator. I pat it in very gently with my middle finger until it’s absorbed (it takes a good minute), and then I move onto the Lancôme Renergie Lift Multi-Action Eye Cream. I started using this cream a few months ago, and on top of the Advanced Genifique these two products work beautifully together! It’s of moderate thickness and it absorbs fairly quickly into the skin but leaves such a wonderfully moisturized feeling behind.
Read this: Quick thoughts! Lancome Advanced Yeux Light Pearl
What’s in your current winter skincare routine? I’d love to know!
xo, Erica
PIN IT!
Our first three steps are almost the same! I’m using the CeraVe cleanser too. The Paula’s choice one I just tried has an almost identical Texture so I’d rather just buy the inexpensive one.
I started using Garnier micellar water again recently and forgot how good it is. I love how easily it takes off mascara!
So I don’t use the Hydro boost serum but I use the gel cream moisturizer. I just bought it again today full price, it’s literally the only thing that keeps dry patches away for me. I’d love to try the serum too! It sounds like it’s great for the colder winter months.
Thanks for sharing your routine!
Oh how funny! Oh my gosh, the CeraVe is so good, right? So glad I found it and started using it. It was just on a whim too; I got a mini from the checkout line at Ulta!
I remember you talking about the Neutrogena Gel Cream Moisturizer before. I may have to try that one day – I really like Neutrogena skincare!
Yes it is! Absolutely no stripping of the skin whatsoever.
I use the extra dry skin version and it’s honestly the best thing I’ve ever used. Its a gel formula so it’s super lightweight but it’s also packed with hyaluronic acid. I usually wait until it’s on sale but my skin was so dry last week that I shelled out the $27cad for it and didn’t think twice!
Oh wow, they have a very dry version?? I need that! I just have the normal-to-dry…
Yes!! I’ve tried both, the regular and the extra dry and the extra dry one is definitely better.
I definitely need to hunt that down then!
I didn’t know Neutrogena made serum, it sounds like it’s working well for you 🙂 I tried Garnier’s Micellar water when it came out 5 or so years ago but it left my face with a tacky, sticky feeling. The idea of the product is so good though!
I *think* the Neutrogena serum may be new, but I’m not entirely sure. I really like it though! Texture is lovely.
The Garnier can be a bit tacky after use, but it really doesn’t bother me much, and I just put the rest of my skincare on top. I do think the whole idea of micellar waters, or waterless cleansers, was a game-changer in skincare!
I’ll admit I did use the Garnier micellar water when I had a basic skincare routine. I would consider trying one for sensitive skin again perhaps now I look after my skin better 🙂
I think the pink one I use is good for sensitive skin!
I like the idea of mixing the oil with the cream. I’d love to try the Lancome eye cream. I have yet to find an eye cream I really like.
Mixing just makes everything go quicker for me and I love that! Honestly I’ve only ever tried the Lancôme eye cream over the eye serum, where it really shines. I have a feeling on its own it would probably just be “very nice” and in that case you could probably just find something suitable at the drugstore. Just keeping it 💯!!
Thank you!
I started reading this a few days ago and then my son woke up and I wasn’t able to keep reading it lol. So here I am, back again 🤗
I do the exact same thing with micellar after if I wore makeup. Usually it’s my mascara or sometimes the liquid liner that I use and I love how gentle micellar water is.
I will look into that chia seed oil because I’m in need of an oil. And interesting that eye cream is your last step, I apply it before moisturizer and oil (I do that too!). I’ve been following the “general rule” of applying products from thinnest to thickest consistency.
Thanks for sharing your skincare routine with us
Thanks so much for coming back! 😁 You know what, I used to apply eye cream first after the cleanser but I switched my order sometime last year and now I apply it last! I also recently read that you should apply oil after the moisturizer, so I may start doing that.
No problem 🙂 I always make sure to stop by and read and comment on everyone’s posts even if I”m really behind 🙂
Oh interesting, I may have to try oil after moisturizer too
I actually have tried the oil after moisturizer thing now. It feels really nice! I thought it was going to be weird but it’s not!
It is always difficult to choose a face cream, but with the help of your advice, I chose a cream. thanks!
Thanks so much for reading!
Your skin is absolutely amazing so I am definitely taking notes right now. I’ve seen the Garnier Micellar water in so many different routines– must be really nice! I don’t usually pay attention to ingredients, either, how something makes me look/feel is more important to me, too, but fragrances do really irritate my skin. 🙁 I cannot believe the price tag on that La Mer cream, wowza! Hopefully I can get a free sample or something someday lol. On the bottle of the oil I use, they recommend mixing it into moisturizer, like you do. Maybe I’ll have to give that a shot! & I wear contacts everyday, as well, so I really need to include an eye cream into my routine.
It’s always so fun to see what others are using & how. Thanks for sharing, Erica!!
Thanks so much for the sweet compliment Hunida! Since my skin is so dry it tends to be pretty balanced most of the time, so I have to say I’m just genetically lucky in this case.
I do think the Garnier Micellar is really good, and you get sooo much of it, unlike the L’Oreal or the Simple, for example.
I usually don’t want to use fragrance on my face to be honest, but it doesn’t always irritate me so sometimes I will still use it. Yea the La Mer is ridiculously priced, and I’ve actually decided not to purchase it because I think I found something better! More on that to come! 😉
My skin is pretty dry, too, & I like that it means I’m less oily & that I don’t often get acne but, my gosh, sometimes it hurts & gets so ashy lol.
I’m not sure if Garnier is cruelty-free but if it is, I may have to purchase the micellar water sometime soon. 🙂
Cannot wait to hear about this other moisturizer– especially if it is better than that ridic La Mer stuff!!
True, dry skin has its issues too no doubt! Hmm, Garnier may not be cruelty-free now that I think about it so you’ll definitely want to double-check that. There will be lots more skincare stuff to come in March! 😉
Looking forward to March then! 😁