Winter Skin Saviors featuring Glow Recipe
We have the privilege of living through 4 distinct seasons in Montreal and our winters can often be arctic in their feel and our skin suffers from the cold, which is why I thought I would talk to you about my winter skin saviors, featuring Glow Recipe and other cult favorite brands.
Winter skin saviors are to me, cosmetic products that have soothing and healing properties for the skin and that can repair damaged, dehydrated, and stressed-out skin.
Once the cold weather starts, it can be very difficult to keep your skin’s level of hydration at maximum efficiency for skin renewal. With the constant assault from the cold, drying air outside, to the constant assault from the dry air we are heating our apartments with; the skin can quickly become dehydrated and begin losing its vibrancy, color and glow.
Some people even notice that their skin becomes dry and flaky, with strong undertones of blue and green more present, as our skin becomes more translucent from the lack of sunlight.
So here are some suggestions to help you keep your skin at its very best, even in these difficult, wintry months.
Cleansers That Won’t Dry You Out
Glow Recipe has become one of my darling brands, based in the South-Korean approach to skincare, this US-based company is actually Asian-owned as well. The products are playful, gentle and effective, with delicate textures that never feel heavy.
I recently reviewed their Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer, read more about my thoughts on it, here.
Whenever Glow Recipe launches a new product, I take notice and get curious and when I recieved my box of PR, I was so excited to open it and finally try the Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser by Glow Recipe.
The Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier by Glow Recipe was launched in the last days of 2022, and this skin-nourishing cleanser has been on everyone’s radar in the Beauty space online, ever since.
The Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier from Glow Recipe feels so creamy upon the skin and emulsifies wonderfully with water, it picks up dirt and grime on the skin and leaves the skin feeling hydrated and lush.
Possibly the ultimate winter cleanser ever, works on all skin types.
A Fresh Gel For Your Face
Bondi Sands, an Australian Skincare company, is launching this year in the North American market and can be found at Pharmaprix and online.
The company was so gracious to send me a series of their products to sample and try and one of the first products I ended up trying is the Fresh’n Up Gel Cleanser by Bondi Sands.
The Fresh’n Up Gel Cleanser is a gentle foaming cleanser that is completely safe for use around the eyes, which never ceases to amaze me. I can foam the product up over my eyes and open my eyes wide without ever feeling any type of irritation.
The Fresh’n Up Gel Cleanser by Bondi Sands features Aloe Vera and Calendula Extract, both incredibly soothing ingredients on the skin. This gel cleanser is my first wow moment of discovery in skincare this year and I am loving and living for it!
The Redness Solution From CLINIQUE
Gentle cream cleansers are so wonderful in the wintertime to help to cleanse the skin and dislodge any impurities from the skin; whilst keeping the skin hydrated and never allowing it to feel stripped in any way.
The Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser from CLINIQUE is a creamy, dreamy cleanser that always soothes my skin, calms any redness I have going on, and keeps my skin feeling clean without ever feeling stripped.
The Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser by CLINIQUE features Probiotic Technology in its formulation; Probiotics are essential for maintaining a healthy level of positive bacteria on our skin, to ensure the skin’s proper functions.
This glorious cleanser comes in an easy-to-use, squeeze-out tube and it spreads beautifully on the skin as the creamy texture breaks down the oils and dirt of the day.
The Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser from CLINIQUE is a great winter skin savior and any skin would welcome its presence.
Serums To Soothe & Nourish
Glow Recipe also sent me the Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum, which is absolutely wonderful for infusing the skin with the repairing properties of Ceramides.
Featuring Avocado, which is one of nature’s best anti-oxidants, this gentle and moisture filled serum reduces redness, dryness and any irritation caused by a weakened skin barrier; it also contains Allantoin, a naturally occurring ingredient in the body that is calming to the skin.
The Avocado Soothing Skin Barrier Serum by Glow Recipe is also fragrance-free, making it completely ideal for anyone whose skin is sensitive to fragrance on the face. I love how quickly it absorbs into the skin and instantly calms the skin.
Gentle, effective and soothing on the skin, this serum is a winner, my dear! Once applied it feels instantly cooling on my skin, it refreshes my skin and gives it immediate relief.
The Avocado Soothing Skin Barrier Serum from Glow Recipe is a powerfully, gentle product that will help you get your skin back on track.
A Cica-Daily Routine That Heals & Hydrates Your Skin
I first discovered the Uriage Bariéderm Cica-Daily Serum 2 years ago, when I was one of the Beauty Jury members for Clin D’oeil magazine, in 2021.
This gentle serum procures such a delightful feeling on my skin, it adds a beautiful coat of hydration that seeps quickly into the skin and is readily absorbed.
It blends well with active ingredients and its soothing properties are excellent for relieving dry, tired and stressed-out skin.
The Uriage Bariéderm Cica-Daily Serum is formulated with Thermal Water and it also features Centella Asiatica, which is one of my favorite skincare ingredients for more sensitive skin, as it is instantly calming and soothing for redness and irritated skin.
There is also a mix of high and low molecular weighted Hyaluronic Acids to help attract water to the skin and seal it into the skin.
This soothing and generous serum will entice you with its soothing properties, available at all major pharmacies around the city and is also available online equally.
A Serum of Note
Key’s Soulcare has really impressed me since their launch, they have continuously released high-quality skincare, and so far, I have enjoyed everything I have sampled and tried.
This past January, Key’s Soulcare launched their newest addition to their skincare lineup, the Truly Becoming Multi Benefit Peptide Serum.
The Truly Becoming Multi Benefit Peptide Serum by Key’s Soulcare is a gentle serum that hydrates the skin deeply with its mixture of Multi-Weight Hyaluronic Acid to retain moisture, Poly-Peptide Complex to combat the signs of aging and Marine Bamboo to reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Key’s Soulcare was so kind to send me this serum in advance of its launch and I can tell you, for anyone looking to lock-in extra moisture and care, the Truly Becoming Multi Benefit Peptide Serum by Key’s Soulcare, is a great way to do it.
Gentle and packed with hydration, this soothing formula will do wonders for the skin, making it a true, winter skin savior.
Moisturizers Are Primordial For Healthy Skin
The CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion For Normal To Dry Skin has been a staple in my skincare regimen for several years.
This Ceramide-heavy moisturizer is ideal for giving your skin a truly occlusive moisturizer, that holds and locks in the moisture into your skin.
Easily found at any local pharmacy, CeraVe is a brand you can trust with healing and treating your skin. The Moisturizing Lotion For Normal To Dry Skin is made for balanced and dry skins, however it works wonders on every skin type, especially during these winter months.
You can use this cream anywhere on your body and it instantly absorbs and hydrates and seals in the moisture to keep the skin feeling supple all day long.
This product has become a staple in my bathroom, I love having it on hand to moisturize my face, body, and even my hands; it absorbs quickly and always relieves my skin’s need for moisture.
An Overnight Recovery Gel-Cream You’ll Love
The Fenty Skin Instant Reset Brightening Overnight Recovery Gel-Cream with Niacinamide + Kalahari Melon Oil is one of the most nourishing gel-creams I have ever used at night.
The hyper-chic component comes with a built-in spatula, which really made me smile, as I always sample safely from all of my jars; I never dip my fingers directly inside, for fear of damaging the formula of the product itself.
I used the Fenty Skin Instant Reset Brightening Overnight Recovery Gel-Cream with Niacinamide + Kalahari Melon Oil for over 2 months and found that my skin was so dewy every following morning. This cream did wonders for invigorating my skin with moisture and sealed it in overnight, locking in that extra hydration, deep within the layers of my skin.
The Instant Reset Brightening Overnight Recovery Gel-Cream with Niacinamide + Kalahari Melon Oil by Fenty Skin is stunning night cream that will help those with dry, dehydrated or combination skins replenish their moisture levels and achieve that dewy, glass skin in the morning when you wake up.
A Balm To Save Your Skin
I recently tried the Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm and I was so amazed by how well it allowed me to lock in all of my extra skincare steps, to deeply nourish and rejuvenate my skin and brighten my complexion.
The Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm has enzymatically activated oils like Olive, Almond, Borage and Linseed Oils; these oils give back to your skin with their super-nourishing lipids. The Jojoba and Sunflower Oil Complex protect the skin’s protective barrier by moisturizing the skin. Lastly the Beta Glucan calms and alleviates any redness as it soothes the dryness.
If any of you are fans of slugging your skin, the Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm is a brilliant option to do so. Each time I use this product, my skin is so dewy and bright the next morning.
Sunscreen, Yes, Even During Winter!
This latest launch from belif is truly blowing my mind, a hydrating sunscreen that doesn’t cast any white-cast at all on me, and locks in extra moisture, as it does double duties; being both an excellent moisturizer and an excellent sunscreen.
The Aqua Bomb Broad Spectrum SPF 50 by belif is a new launch that does double duties on the skin, and my skin is loving it.
The cream feels lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving the skin highly supple and soft.
The Marigold Extract helps to reduce UV-induced oxidative stress on the skin and the Woodbine, activates the skin cells from antioxidant effects.
The Aqua Bomb Broad Spectrum SPF 50 by belif will likely be my favorite sunscreen come next spring and summer, the level of hydration it gives me, is perfect for my combination skin, I think this one is a winner, another great product from belif!
Don’t Neglect Your Hands
I always notice how dry my hands become every winter. The incessant hand cleansing and the bitter cold air outside, are constant stressors on my skin and my hands can become cracked and have trouble healing themselves.
This is why I love the NIVEA 3-in-1 Repair & Care Hand Cream.
I love how lightweight and fast-absorbing the 3-in-1 Repair & Care Hand Cream by NIVEA feels on my hands, whenever I apply it.
The 3-in-1 Repair & Care Hand Cream by NIVEA formula is enriched with Pro-Vitamin B5, and the formula is designed to protect your hands from dryness, roughness and tightness for 24 hours. This hand cream is a life saver, your hands will thank me later!
Extra Moisture Hacks
Besides talking about products, there are a few simple things we can add to our daily diets, and to our homes; to help us retain the proper moisture levels in our skin.
The first suggestion is a simple one, drink more water. We are made of approximately 80% water I believe, and keeping our bodies properly hydrated plays such a crucial role in the appearance of our skin.
So, start drinking more water during the day, try starting the day with a glass of water before your coffee, get your systems lubricated and flowing for the day.
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for our health and well being, and it greatly affects the general coloration of our skin. During the spring, summer, and early fall months, we get tons of vitamin D, simply from the sun, as it is the most natural and abundant source of Vitamin D.
However, with the diminished light we get in the winter, adding a supplement of vitamin D is a great way to not only increase your immune system; but it will greatly help to keep your complexion brighter and be especially helpful for all those with deeper melanin in their skins, as the winter months can make their skin appear more grey or ashy.
Lastly, think about installing a humidifier in your home or apartment, a humidifier will greatly increase the moisture levels in the air at home and you won’t be breathing in that harsh warm air that dries us out.
Consistency & Discipline
The only way you will notice lasting differences in your skin is through being consistent in your applications and remaining disciplined with your skin.
Like the results of those who maintain a strong exercising ethic, the long-term advantages of caring for one’s skin are truly seen over time.
It is the accumulation of proper treatments that will help to raise your hydration levels and smooth over dry patches of skin; this requires a long-term view of self-care, you cannot expect immediate results, the results show with time and use only.
I have been consistent in my skincare for many decades now and I see just how much my skin has improved with time and how I have kept it elastic, supple, and mainly wrinkle-free, at 47 years of age.
And the truly amazing thing about our skin is that even if it has had a harder time and been treated more harshly, it can be regenerated and become more supple and smooth, if you care for it.
So check out these potential Winter Skin Saviors and save that skin of yours this winter.
Until next time my dears, stay hydrated and stay beautiful!
Jackie
xoxo
Lead image courtesy of Glow Recipe.
