^me, pre-fall, pre-haircut. Photographed by my sister in SoHo.
Happy FALL
(!!!)
I realized this season had officially begun only last night after stepping outside in a too-thin shirt & open toe sandals. Was it 58 degrees? Yes. Was it also raining? Maybe. Did I have the slightest intelligence or at least obligatory thought to check my Weather App? Instead of answering that I'm going to ask another question: do you often feel unprepared for the colder months, or "caught in the rain" if you will? (See what I did there?) Okay i'll stop, but seriously.
Winter Skin is not cute. If you don't know what I mean by this term, odds are you've experienced it at some point in your life, unless you hail from some perpetually warm place close to the equator. Winter Skin can best be described as dehydrated, wind-chilled, & agitated. It causes unwanted flaking, texture, redness, & frowning (again. not cute.) But take heart, this can be prevented! It's important to incorporate these into your skincare routine now, as the weather is just changing.
Here are my top 5 skincare products to keep your skin looking fab during the colder months!
1. Water
Sorry if you're already unimpressed, BUT this one is seriously important, so stop rolling your eyes. Of course drinking tons of water is so important all the time, but during the winter months, water can be useful in many different ways. A humidifier adds warm, wet air to a dry place, so it's perfect to place one near your bed at night to help fight off cold & flu grossness. It helps keep vocal cords from becoming too dry, & it's great for the skin!
2. Gentle Exfoliant
Notice I used the word gentle. When it's cold, your skin already has a lot going on with wind, cold temps, etc. Don't upset it even more. I love my Clarasonic deep pore cleanser because even though it mostly just gets dirt & makeup off my face, it also leaves my skin feeling soft & smooth. The Neutrogena Naturals Pore Cleansing Scrub is also great because the scrubbies (is there a better word for this?) are finely milled & very gentle.
3. Heavy Moisturizer
Your summer moisturizer just isn't going to cut it. In the summer, I like to use a moisturizer with a high SPF & a lighter feel. In the winter, I go for the opposite. It's great to reach for one that's very gentle but won't irritate the skin, even after being applied 2-3 times a day. My favorite is the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. It is made to be used all over the body, so in the winter, I use it on my face because it creates a "skin barrier" while still feeling light, even on sensitive skin. The main ingredient is Glycerin, which acts like a protective mask underneath makeup.
4. Facial Spray
Sometimes, even with all the preparation & moisturizing, your skin just needs a little more. Facial sprays are perfect for on-the-go touch-ups. Choose one with vitamins & nourishing ingredients to revive your skin. I will never stop talking about the Caudalie Beauty Elixir so of course, I will mention this one as my holy grail facial spray. Other notable spritzers: Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater & First Aid Beauty Vitamin Hydrating Mist
5. Restorative Mask
The cold can take a lot out of your skin, so it's very important to put nourishing goodies back in. While moisturizers do a great job of protecting, sometimes they fall short after a few hours. Overnight masks can make a world of difference, like this one from Sephora. For a short 20 minute mask, I recommend using any of the Glam Glow products, but ESPECIALLY the Thirsty Mud Treatment . It works quickly & smells like the tropical vacation you hallucinate in mid-January.
XX,
C&C
