Monday, December 7, 2015

5 Skincare Products for Juicy Skin through Winter

Today, I'm going to take you back. Way back. To a dark, dark time...

Picture this.

The year is 1998. The Wisconsin winter is at its peak. The school bell has just rung signaling yet another 35 minute outdoor recess period. Kids are piling on every last piece of clothing they've brought from home to brave the weather outside.

Once outside, we realize we can't play any of our usual games because the courts are covered in snow and ice. The kickballs aren't bouncing on the poorly shoveled pavement and we are forbidden from touching the snow banks.

What kind of sick experiment is this anyway? Are they trying to see how long our tiny bodies can stand out here with nothing to do?

By the time my face starts to go numb, lips start chapping from the wind, and the skin between my fingers begins to re-crack (sorry for that mental image), I realize I still have to spend 30 more minutes out here. I'd rather be in math class...

Now, of course it wasn't all bad. Some days, would be less windy and on others, the administration would have mercy on us and give us an indoor recess instead. But to this day, the idea of dry lips and cracking/flaky winter skin takes me right back to those horrible snotty-nosed days out in the cold as a kid.

And as you've probably guessed by now, I will go to ANY LENGTH to not be reminded of those days and the state of my skin at the time.

So today, I'm going to share with you some of the products I use in the winter time to keep my skin full of moisture, balmy, and plump. I have been using some combination of these products every single day (even though it's not that cold out yet) and I have to say they keep any flakiness, dry patches, or cracking at bay.

Also, these are not random purchases. They are favorites that I replenish when I run out, so I stand behind every word I say about them.

Lou Ana 100% Pure Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is truly a godsend. It can be used as a gentle makeup remover, moisturizer for face and body, overnight hair treatment, pretty much anything. It's inexpensive too and lasts FOREVER. 

Queen Helene Olive Oil Masque: I knew right off the bat that this is a great product. I mean, if they're fancily spelling it 'masque' instead of 'mask', they must mean business! But all jokes aside, this product makes the skin so incredibly plump and bouncy. It's gentle enough to use daily because it's literally just a heavy duty moisturizer. It doesn't leave the skin with that post-facial tight feeling. I really don't like that feeling in the winter time. 

Sephora Facial Cleansing Brush: With all of these moisturizing products, it's vital to remove the flakiness and dead skin cells that the products are working on. I like to use this simple travel-friendly cleansing brush. Yeah, it's not the Clarisonic, but in my opinion, it gets the job done perfectly. I like to use it to remove the olive oil masque because that mask is so creamy that it requires some major effort to clean up! After I've used the masque and gently removed it with this brush, my skin feels as if it has never seen a better day.

Cetaphil Daily Advance Lotion: This is a good moisturizer in that it is moisturizing enough to keep the skin feeling comfortable all day, but not "grease-ball level" moisturizing. It doesn't have any added fragrances, so it's great for sensitive skin, Side note: I have extremely sensitive skin and all of these products are such that they don't make me puffy or red. And, it's pretty hard for me to find things that don't irritate my skin. So, these are definitely all holy grail. 

Loreal Paris Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition Golden Balm: Phew, that was a mouthful. This is an eye cream that I use in the morning under my foundation and at night and it has changed the game! It is so rich that I can literally feel my skin drinking its moisture. I can't speak for everyone because I don't have hereditary dark circles or discoloration, but I do get dark circles when I am not sleeping enough and while traveling. Since I have started using this cream, my circles have completely disappeared. Maybe, they go away when they have enough moisture in them? I don't really know the science behind it, but I haven't owned a concealer in months and I don't plan on buying one again. Victory is mine! Cue the evil laugh...muahahahaha

What are your skincare essentials that get you through the winter? Share them below :)

xo Aneela

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Love these ideas! Also, sugar scrubs are great.