As women, there’s plenty of things we skip to keep up with the many demands we have upon us. There’s one element of self-care I won’t compromise on: Skincare. It’s the one thing I do to show myself a little care every day. When I think of cosy evenings, I think of having a hot bath, rustling up a homemade hot chocolate, applying my winter skincare before cuddling up to watch The Family Stone.
I remember being thirteen years old and having my mum sit me down to teach me cleanse, tone and moisturise. She’s still the first person I call when I find a wonder-product that gives me that glow. Now that I’m in my thirties, I’m incredibly grateful for that… the earlier you start, the better! But it’s never too late. Drink water, eat your greens and have a consistent skincare routine.
I had the exact same talk when my eldest daughter reached her teens before taking her shopping for her own little basket of self-care.
As a wedding make-up artist, I was constantly asked for advice on lotions and potions – and quite rightly! I love make-up to enhance what we’ve already got, but you will only ever have one face – you need to take care of it. While I know the skincare world can be a bit overwhelming to dive into, I’ve dabbled in more than my fair share of products and have found a morning and evening routine that leaves me feeling well cared for.
As a busy mum of four, I like to keep it simple and invest in products that will serve me well through the seasons ahead (and let’s face it, winters are long here in the UK!)
The Winter Skincare Edit
Now, I don’t know about you, but as soon as the time of year rolls around where that lovely chilly air hits my face and the central heating goes on, I can instantly feel a change to my skin. I dry up like a lizard! Long foggy walks and leaves crunching under foot are my favourite – and the perfect time for refreshing my pampering routine with a Winter Skincare Edit.
I use a few different products for sunrise and sunset – so I’ll list them separately.
Good Morning, Gorgeous
Time for my skin’s wake-up call and a pot of coffee, bowl of hot oats and steamy shower. I find that getting ready for the day properly really helps me feel put together and ready to face anything.
Cleanse *the magic is in the double cleanse*
Whether you wear make-up all the time, just occasionally or simply need to wash away your day, cleansing well and cleansing twice will be what makes the difference to your skincare. Whatever your skin type, an oil cleanser will give you a soft and thorough clean without stripping your skin of it’s essential oils. I have sworn by this Soothing Cleansing Oil (LINKED) for years!
I use two pumps, massage it into my face (including over your eyes to remove your eye make-up… there’s no fiddly extra steps with this one) then splash my face with warm water. It will turn to milk and leave your face feeling fresh.
*I know using an oil might make you a little nervous if you have oily skin – but I promise, the last thing you want to do is to strip your skin of oil as that will only cause it to produce more. Oil cleansers are miracle products!
exfoliate
This is an essential step as you want to be applying the rest of the products to fresh new skin rather than dead skin cells. Buffing that layer away will leave your skin looking radiant and mean that all of the products you apply after will be working properly. I’m an enormous fan of this Daily Superfoliant (LINKED) as it’s gentle enough to use every day and especially crucial during the colder months when our skin is so dehydrated.
eye cream
It’s essential to moisturise your under-eye area separately from the rest of your face. The skin around your eyes is very delicate so I make sure that I have washed all other products off my hands before applying Vitamin Enriched Eye Base (LINKED) by patting it gently on using my ring finger.
I feel like this one is a bit of a cult classic – you can see it work instantly and it’s one of the few eye creams that sits nicely under make-up.
serum
That nourishing little something extra that will make all the difference over time. I only started using a serum a couple of years ago and it really left my skin looking plump and refreshed. I absolutely love this Extra Repair Serum (LINKED) – it’s been a favourite to give my girlfriends as a new mum gift to help them feel a little more human in the post-birth haze.
moisturise and prime
If you haven’t got Vitamin Enriched Face Base (LINKED) in your life, try it now and thank me later. It’s gorgeously nourishing without feeling heavy, melts away within seconds of you applying it and, perhaps best of all, it doubles up as a primer so helps your make-up sit in place all day long! While it’s an essential step in winter skincare, I actually find it works well all year round.
Lips
Our lips are skin too, so just like the rest of our face – they need their own skincare. Dry, sore, cracked lips aren’t a good look! During the day, I swear by this Colour Enhancing Lip Balm (LINKED) which nourishes beautifully but also develops a pop of colour. The Bare Rose is my favourite tint – it’s so natural.
Goodnight, Sweetheart
My favourite part – it’s better than taking your bra and shoes off at the end of the day! I have a whole new appreciation for my PM skincare routine these days. It’s that little window of time that I carve out to do something for myself – and that matters. Despite the fact it only takes a couple of minutes, I find that having a little self TLC in my routine creates a big mindset shift.
Cleanse
I think a double cleanse is even more important at night. Massaging off all of the make-up, debris and stress from the day feels sacred to me at this point! While I still use the Cleansing Oil to remove my eye makeup at night, I swear by the deep clean Extra Cleansing Balm (LINKED) gives at night.
It’s rich and smells absolutely glorious – a spa in a jar, and my face is very grateful for it! The smell from the orange oil in the balm also brings me joy… it’s the simple things in life, after all.
Eye cream
While I swear by the Vitamin Enriched Eye Base during the day, I feel like I need something a little extra at night – especially now I’m noticing those fine lines start to creep in. Using my ring finger to dab Extra Repair Intense Eye Cream (LINKED) around the area allows me to go to sleep safe in the knowledge that my products are working for me.
face oil
Here’s the secret: A bottle of magic. Pure, unadulterated skincare magic. I like to use something a little richer to replenish my skin at night – this Extra Face Oil (LINKED) feels like such a treat. I can see a noticeable difference the morning after sleeping with this on my skin – and don’t worry, there’s no oily residue left on your pillowcase! But if you want to wake up with baby-like skin, this is for you.
This little pot of goodness is well worth the investment. A little goes a long way, and my last pot lasted me over a year! You don’t even need to pour any out – just dab a little from the neck of the bottle to your forehead, cheeks and decolletage then massage in. Those cold winds can really damage your skin if you don’t focus on your winter skincare. (And yes, this one is suitable for oily skin types too!)
moisturise
This is definitely an Autumn/ Winter skincare product. It’s a little much for me in the warmer months, but it’s thick, creamy consistency is just what I need in chilly weather. It’s like a tall glass of water for my skin (though, arguably, a tall glass of water would also do it the world of good…)
The Extra Repair Intense Moisture Cream is the ideal hydration boost for this time of year. The only way I can accomplish that dewy, flushed-cheek glow on a winter morning is to use this the night before. If I listen very carefully, I can actually hear my skin sigh with relief as I apply this at the end of a long day.
lips
I honestly have half a dozen pots of this Comforting Lip Treatment (LINKED) – I keep them anywhere and everywhere. My handbag, the bedside table, the change bag, the bathroom, the car… I feel lost without it! It’s a soothing way to finish up my winter skincare routine before settling in for the night.
And there you have it – the Winter skincare edit. I hope it was helpful! Remember to make time to take care of yourself, and let me know if you add any of the products to your routine.
Love, Helen x
*Disclosure: Some items may be gifted and links within this post may be affiliate links. This means that if you purchase through the links, I earn a small commission though this is at no expense to you. As always, I appreciate your support and would never recommend a product we have not tried, tested and loved.
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