Taking care of seasonally dry skin

Winter is coming. The seasons have shifted, and while we are still in the best part of Fall, I think it’s safe to say that we can already feel that shift in temperatures that warn us that colder times are coming. There are so many feelings that come with Winter, many of them gloomier this year with anxiety and uncertainty around what our usual holiday season will look like.

But one thing is for sure- my seasonally dry skin has already started to make its own appearance over the last two weeks, which means it’s time to switch up some of my skincare.

Since I was a little kid, I have always suffered from very dry skin, especially in the colder months. From eczema to rashes on my neck those, to the little bumps on the back of your arms, to flaking around my eyes, and to cracked lips, I’ve seen it all. And it wasn’t until I was much older and did a round of Accutane that I really learned some tricks to keep my skin in a better condition when the weather turns and those symptoms creep in.

Just like you wouldn’t keep your shorts in your wardrobe rotation during the winter, you need to rotate products into your skincare routine for different seasons. When you’re sweating in the summer, you might want to focus on eliminating oils from your routine. But when the humidity leaves the air after summer, the outside air, warm showers, and heating in our apartments often leave us with chronic dryness that hits the skin and sinuses the hardest.

Here’s my arsenal of products I would recommend you consider, all based on what you need, and where you experience dry skin the most.

From the base of your skincare routine, you want to make sure you are putting products on your skin that are going to repair or restore the moisture in your skin instead of stripping healthy oils like many toners and moisturizers (especially anything that foams!) can. If you aren’t already using a cleansing balm, this is the moment to make the switch. It uses oils to clean your pores while maintaining moisture in your skin. By far, this one from Elemis will always be my favorite of the bunch. Follow up with some gentle exfoliation to remove any flaky or dead skin with this Tatcha rice polish that I will forever mention to you – it is a holy grail product for me.

So many people might think to skip toner in their skincare routine in dryer months, but it’s when you need that toner to restore your pH the most. I love this toner from Pixi for its price and it’s calming qualities. I use it most in my nighttime routine so I don’t wake up red, and can still let my retinol and acids do their work overnight.

I recently read Caroline Hiron’s skincare bible, and one of the biggest takeaways was how much hydration your skin requires. One of the best acids to restore moisture to your skin in hyaluronic acid, and I really suggest putting one in your routine. I do this with a mist, because you can layer it between products and even refresh your face after makeup during the day. This hydrating accelerator mist such a secret weapon in my routine.

October through April are the drier months that require a much more heavy duty hydrating moisturizer at night. When I do have eczema or dry patches that won’t quit, this indigo moisturizer from Tatcha is a lifesaver for combatting flakey and inflamed skin. If you’re not in need of something as intense, but are still looking for something that packs a punch without building up oils, I recommend this hydrating alternative from Tatcha’s line of cream.

When I was really going through it with Accutane (if you know, you know), I needed something serious to help with combating dry skin, while also stimulating skin cell turnover. I did a lot of research and the one thing that kept coming up was the Augustinus Bader Rich Cream. The downside? It’s PRICEY – like, stupid expensive. But this stuff really works. It’s the definition of luxury, but a product where you really get what you pay for. If you have medications or skincare conditions that are really drying you out to a point of discomfort, I believe that this cream is worth the money. I purchased it three times when I was going through intensely uncomfortable dryness from my medications, and it was a lifesaver that really helped with pigmentation issues, too.

If you can’t spend that kind of money on skincare (and most of us can’t), then this favorite multi-purpose cream from Weleda is a more affordable alternative for that level of hydration. I love this set that has their light version for day time and their rich version for night. Put it on your face, your elbows, your hands and feet, and even your hair. It’s citrus scent is a dream, and I use it in some way pretty much daily. Really rub the product in your hands to heat and loosen it up, and then apply by pressing your palms to your face or massaging into other areas.

The last two weeks have started my spike in chronically chapped lips for me. I face this every year, and am pretty obsessed with lip balms that work year-round, instead of those that contain products that make you dependent to keep using them. There are three holy-grail products that I use and recommend for my lips. The first is this super yummy lip balm from Summer Fridays that has a vanilla scent that is very cozy and thick- I apply it before makeup so I can finish with a lipstick over hydrated lips. Similarly, I love this Laneiege lip sleeping mask in Grapefruit for that super hydrated lip – you can really pack this stuff on before bed.

And the last lip product I recommend is a very affordable alternative that will last you a lifetime. I always get asked what lip gloss I am wearing that looks so natural, and the answer? Aquaphor. I literally slather myself in this stuff at night, around my eyes and eyelids, around my nose, in my nostrils, and on my lips, rubbing the rest into the tops of my hands. Aquaphor is the shit, and don’t let anyone tell you different. I keep this tub next to my bed, and this tube in my bag so I have one wherever I go. There is not better option than this.

One of the worst side effects of dry skin that has cause me a lot of pain is my eyelids, of all places. I most typically wake up with flaking skin around my eyes, and when I am at my worst, red, puffy eyes that are sensitive to the touch around my eyelashes. I use my usual eye cream at night, but then I layer this eye mask from Laneige on top, and it really prevents the inflammation for me. Plus, it just feels super cooling and luxe when you apply with it’s ball tip applicator.

If you want to really cap off your routine with a surge of moisture, you can opt for a facial oil, which will just sink into your skin and leave you with a really hydrated and calmed complexion in the morning. If you suffer from some redness, I highly recommend this one from Farmacy, which I put the remainder from my hands into the ends of my hair. The scent is super dreamy.

Face masks are also a great way to build hydration into your routine. I use a hydrating mask one to two times a week depending on how dry I am. This mask from Farmacy is one of my all-time favorites, and it’s steep price tag is worth it as a little goes a long way. You can really feel this mask working, and you finish feeling radiant and refreshed. This mask from Summer Fridays is great for masking while travelling (hence the Jet Lag name), but I also use it on top of my moisturizer at night for an added hydration when I am really dry.

And you can’t forget the rest of your body – it needs skincare, too. For me, CeraVe is one of the best and most affordable products for keeping the rest of your skin hydrated year round. This tub is a great bargain that can be used on face or body, and when my eczema starts to flare up and the itching starts, I use this option to calm my skin; it’s even great for a sunburn.

If you’re going to self-tan during the winter, you also want to make sure you find a product that doesn’t dry you out, like many of them can. For an added treat, I love this Isle of Paradise tanning drop set that gives you a boost of hyaluronic acid so you stay hydrated while it sets. It spreads like a dream, doesn’t streak or leave you orange, and has very little scent.

And the most important step to keep dry skin away? Hydration, hydration, hydration. Get yourself a water bottle, and drink at least a few of them a day. Start your day with hot water, collagen, manuka honey and lemon – it’s a morning routine that is self-soothing and has the added benefit of keeping you hydrated. Your skin will thank you, and you will notice a huge difference.