A winter skincare routine is a whole other ball game. I typically switch out my products between winter and summer as my skin has such different needs. In this week’s blog post, I’ll take you through my step by step skin care routine. I now live in Alberta, which means DRY air. It’s important to layer on the moisture, or else everything just shrivels up. I honestly don’t even wear face makeup anymore because it just cracks on my skin and looks awful. So a bit of powder and bronzer is all I use! I have spent years developing a skincare routine.
As a kid, I suffered from pretty serious acne. This means as an adult, I am quite particular as to what I put on my skin. I learned early on that it’s much better to soothe your skin with moisture than to strip it with harsh products. Once believing that I had to “kill the acne” on my face. But after seeing some wonderful skin care gurus, I learned that being gentle with my skin was the better route.
And after many years of trying different products and going in for skincare treatments, I am now at a peaceful place with my skin. After the acne cleared up when I was around 15, I then spent the next 15 years trying to heal the scarring. I can dive into the treatments I got done in another blog post, (it’s nothing crazy), but I think what I’m using on my skin on a daily basis has made the biggest difference.
I tend to switch my products up every season. There are so many good ones out there, but this is what I’m currently loving!
Let me break down my current, step by step skin care routine.
AM: Step By Step Skin Care Routine
Step One: Splash cold water on my face. This is a great way to wake yourself and your skin up. A refreshing feeling to start your day! Some people may argue I should be washing my face to start the day, but I don’t like to over do it. Some cold water seems to work for me, but of course it’s all what works best for you.
Toner: Wildcraft Balance Toner. With a blend of geranium and orange blossom, this toner is a light mist that tones, hydrates and refreshes your face. I haven’t always used toner in my every day routine but I do like this one for a feeling of refresh. It’s meant to make your pores a bit smaller too, which is never a bad thing.
Serum: Organic Formulations Replenish Hydrating Serum. This serum was gifted to me, I was fortunate enough to receive a skincare pack from Organic Formulations this year. That being said, I really love their products! This serum is a mix of Vitamin C and Sodium Hyaluronate, which is a powerful mix of ingredients to pull in moisture to your skin and create a brighter complexion. I had gone off the Vitamin C train for a while, but I felt that the long winter was a good time ot bring it back. I have noticed my skin looking a bit dull, and this is sure to help. The sun is also a bit less strong this time of year, so I find I’m less worried about the damage that comes along with too much Vitamin C.
Cream: ClearStem HYDRAGLOW Stem Cell Moisturizer. This moisturizer is a cult favourite, according to their website. And I can see why! It’s thick enough to give you a blast of moisture and soothe your skin for the day, but it’s not too heavy to wear all day long. It does not make my skin greasy by any means. ClearSteam makes incredible products and I’ve loved using this moisturizer!
PM: Step By Step Skin Care Routine
Wash: Organic Formulations Melt Away Cleansing Oil + Refresh Gentle Gel Cleanser. I use both of these face cleansers at night. I start with the cleansing oil to help break down the makeup. Next step, I go in with the gel cleanser to get any remaining “stuff” off my skin. I have liked using two components to wash away the day. I enjoy using a cleaning oil in the winter, and it’s good to go in twice as I find oil can sometimes leave residue on your skin. That being said, this isn’t my favourite wash and I don’t think I’d buy this particular part of their line again. I find I need to use a lot of the product to feel it working. That could just be me though!
Toner: Wildcraft Balance Toner. With a blend of geranium and orange blossom, this toner is a light mist that tones, hydrates and refreshes your face. I like to use this at the end of my day to calm my skin and set my face for my night time routine.
Serum: ClearStem BOUNCEBACK “No Botox Serum”. This stuff actually works! It is on the pricier side and I have to admit it was a Christmas gift. That being said, I really do think it improves fine lines! I have a harsh “elevens” on my forehead and I actually noticed improvement on these lines after using this serum. I’ve never had botox and I feel that this product has made a difference on my skin. I will be repurchasing when this bottle runs out.
Skin Oil: Wildcraft’s Regenerate Face Serum, Nourishing facial oil. I just started incorporating this oil into my routine and wow do I love it! I started using oils on my skin over 5 years ago now and this is my favourite part of my skin care routine. My skin drinks the oil in, leaving it more moisturized, soothed and softer than ever. Oil is especially wonderful if you live in a dry climate. This nourishing facial oil has a mix of:
Rice bran oil
Jojoba oil
Rosehip seed oil
Hemp seed oil
Carrot* infused Sunflower oil
Seabuckthorn oil
Frankincense and Palmarosa essential oils
& Rosemary leaf extract.
This nourishing facial oil is a beautiful product, I have loved using it so far. I also like to support this company as they are Canadian, based out of Toronto, and their products are so clean! Highly recommend.
So that sums up my step by step skin care routine! To be honest, it’s pretty simple. I have learned that less can sometimes be more and when you target your skin’s needs, with quality products that are nourishing and restorative, your skin will thank you. Please comment below and let us know what you’re loving right now! Our skin care routines change with the seasons, and so we’ll continue sharing what’s working for us both. Maybe our routines will inspire you to try similar products. If you’re interested in learning more about skin care, check out our Summer Skin Care Routines, linked here.
xo
Cornelia & Meg
