These Hydrating Skincare Products Are Saving My Winter Skin
illustration by Nicola Jane Creative
*Originally published December 2019, updated February 1, 2021
by Hannah Haghighi
It truly seems like just yesterday I was doing my best to preserve my makeup by gently dabbing the sweat off of my face while walking to class, and continuously doing touch-ups with powder in the academic building bathrooms. Somehow the fleeting days of perfect fall weather are already almost behind us, and the season of becoming a walking, talking real-life raisin has arrived. I love winter makeup for many reasons; holiday lip colors are one of my favorite parts of the season. Sadly, however, I am plagued with the driest of dry skin as the seasons change. Throughout the years, I have tried my best to counter this issue with a plethora of products and tricks; some failed me miserably, but some have really stood the test of time.
illustration by Nicola Jane Creative
The first obstacle I had to work through that was very dependent on skin type and environment was my everyday facial cleanser. For months I had been struggling from dry skin that I could simply not keep moisturized. I tried masks, heavier moisturizers (which were really just too thick and broke me out), and plenty of hacks I had found on the internet, all of which couldn’t fix my poor skin. Finally, after forgetting to pack my usual cleanser in my suitcase, I was forced to branch out and try a different one. It turns out that my cleanser had been the culprit all along, over-stripping my skin and creating a worse problem than I had to begin with. This is an important thing to consider while battling with dry skin (or even oily skin!). Experiment to see what makes your skin happy; are you oily or is your skin producing oil to overcompensate for your moisture stripping cleanser? All things to consider!
It has been said many a time that a good base creates a good face; in other words, if your skin is moisturized and glowing, your makeup will always look great, even on your off days (everyone has them, but there’s nothing some dewiness can’t fix). I am a creature of habit when it comes to what I put on my face, and a moisturizer that has been by my side through it all is the Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream. When I put this on after a shower, I feel like a brand new woman. It’s paraben and phthalate-free, and a little goes a long way, so you really get a good return on investment. On really dry days, if I have time, I put this on after using the Rose Face Mask from Fresh, one of my favorite mask brands. It smells like an actual dream; I feel like the white rose from the flower scene in Disneys Alice in Wonderland animated film. Weird comparison, I know, but I honestly think about that scene every time.
Underneath makeup during the dry winter months, its all about what goes underneath the makeup to prime the skin. This creates that gorgeous ‘glow from within’ look that is very popular right now, and for good reason- it looks effortlessly beautiful. This ‘glow from within’ mantra is exactly what the brand Glossier is based upon; this is probably why I would be willing to give them my life savings (plus change). I have started using their Priming Moisturizer after I use my own moisturizer and before I apply my foundation. It feels instantly moisturizing (I mean, I’d hope so; it’s in the name of the product, after all), and has a slightly tacky feeling, which is an important aspect of a makeup primer. I feel as though, after applying it, my makeup keeps that beautiful glowy look without rubbing off easily or enhancing my pores. Just enough glow, but not too much. The amped-up version of this primer, an “oil-serum hybrid” as Glossier describes it, is their newest skincare product Futuredew. As soon as I got the email that they had released this, it was instantly on my Christmas list. Katie Jane Hughes is a makeup artist that works with Glossier. She has a highlight on her Instagram all about the use of this product, and the best ways to apply it under makeup to achieve the desired dewy look it promises. She has used it to highlight her cheekbones underneath her makeup but has also filmed herself mixing it into her foundation for that all-over radiant finish. Until I can get my own hands on Glossier’s Futuredew, I have been using another Katie Jane Hughes favorite: Weleda Skin Food. Amazingly inexpensive and extremely thick and hydrating, this is perfect for taking hydration to the next level. Channeling Katie, I have been applying it to my cheekbones underneath my foundation, and I don’t think I can ever go back now that I’ve started. The herbal scent of the cream makes also makes me feel like I just exited a luxurious spa, which is definitely a plus.
Finally, it is important to remember that the holidays are the time for a good old festive lip. If you prefer a liquid lip over a cream formula, it is of utmost importance that you keep your lips plump and hydrated, since liquid lip formulas tend to be drying (and no one wants crusty lips!). The Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask has been rising up the ranks recently, boasting the title of being an Allure Best of Beauty 2019 product. Coming in three flavors, Original, Vanilla, and Apple Lime, this mask does all the work for you overnight, so you don’t have to worry about applying lip balm forty times a day.
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