Favorites for Pretty Winter Skin & Hair

It’s that time of year again where my skin and hair start to get dry, flaky and generally scary!! I start to think I’m aging rapidly. I know a lot has to do with the extremely dry air we have at this time of year and also the cooler temps. We’ve been having fires and I’m finding myself eating more soups, and rich and salty foods. All contribute to dry and dull skin. I’ve been trying to remind myself to hydrate and eat more greens.

 In the meantime, I’ve restocked my arsenal of winter beauty products I use to cope and prevent myself from appearing like an apple core doll by December!! Some of them you may already use and some may be new. I have sensitive skin that has bouts of rosacea and also acne. Argh!  I’ve spent years finding what doesn’t make me break out while searching for natural ingredients whenever I can.

Here’s my personal cold weather favorites. Some natural and plant based and a few are not. You can find a link online for each in the names, if you can’t find in your stores.

 Cerave Hydrating Cleanser is all I ever use now. My dermo first got me onto this and it leaves a layer of protection after washing with it that prevents irritation and redness flare-ups. It’s easily found at most drugstores now. I know so many friends who also are hooked on this! Two ingredients – ceramides prevent irritation and redness and hyaluronic acid which attracts moisture make this special thought it looks quite generic in packaging and price. Hyaluronic acid is wonderful at plumping up the skin and making it soft. Dr Oz’s blog also wrote about it’s benefits.

Vitamen C Ester Serum by Perricone MD I have to have a serum in winter and fall and this is wonderful for brightening and giving a glow. I like to layer this one under my sunscreen, but I have also used the Jan Marini one and in a pinch the $36 all natural Jason version, has been good too. I just always like to be using a C Ester product to keep free radicals at bay and help with dark spots. I do find religious use does make a difference.

 Weleda Calendula Baby Face Cream. I found this by accident when shopping for their Skin Food. As with all Weleda products, it’s all plant based and so pure it’s almost edible. It’s a little cheaper than the their other face creams and I actually like it better. I pat this on at night to wake up with baby soft skin and also use it over my retin-a  that I deploy a few nights a week. I have it by my bed and in my purse too. Love!

 Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46. This lovely sunscreen was recommended by my dermo for sensitive skins like mine that break out. Wonderful texture and light feel. It actually leaves my skin looking better and is a perfect base for foundation. Since my IPL Treatment at SkinSpirit I’ve been fanatic about protecting my face from new sun damage and this has really helped.

Clinique Even Better Eyes is the eye product I use the most in winter. It’s metal applicator feels wonderful on puffy eyes and the light luminous creme leaves a nice brightened look under the eyes even without makeup. Really does help prevent puffiness from dehydration!

Weleda Skin Food. Seriously a miracle product. I have the driest hands on earth and have used every hand creme known to man. This stuff works. I apply it all the time and a thick application at night makes my hands look so much younger. Though quite thick, it’s pure enough to use on face too. After skiing or when my kid’s faces or noses have been chapped we pack it on and it works wonders.

 Loreal Paris Youth Code Texture Perfection Pore Vanisher. I’ve used a lot of primers, expensive and not. This gives a lovely base to apply your foundation, neither tacky nor thick. I have used it alone too when I need to dash out and have no time for makeup. Just camouflages pores and lines nicely and naturally.

 Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Skin Perfecting Makeup. Well I finally got on the Chanel bandwagon with a sample of this stuff. Now I know why people pay top dollar for these products. This foundation covers lightly and leaves skin looking pretty. It’s hard to tell you have foundation on it is so fine. It’s $45, but lasts a long time, as a little goes a ling way. The Beige sample they had in the magazine luckily was perfect for me. This also won Allure Magazine’s Best of Beauty Award.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Pressed Powder. Just the right amount of coverage in this mineral powder to set your makeup and works alone in a pinch for light coverage. Love that it’s good for your skin too. I always have this with me. I like to apply with a kabuki brush in the morning and carry the brush with me for light touchups later. Never feels dry or looks cakey. The medium shade works for many people including my pallid self.

As for hair, I  find mine can get really dry and flyaway. I’ve grown to love Giovanni Products which are natural. Right now I use the Ultra Sleek Shampoo, The Ultra Moist Conditioner and the hair and skin potion.

Shu Uemera White Tea Polishing Milk is another amazing product for dryer times.  A leave in potion that works before blowdrying or you can work it through wet hair and then wrap a braid or bun. Your hair will shine and smell amazing with waves. You only need a nickel size of this stuff so it also lasts forever. Never weighs hair down or makes it feel dirty like so many icky leave in products do. The $54 price seems steep, but it literally lasts me about a year.

I also find with static and dry air you need some hairspray. I am crazy for  Moroccan Oil Luminous Spray in medium hold. This is light, leaves a soft shine and I love the smell! Perfect for flyways and setting a soft curl. Never feels like you have spray on, but works.

I’d also love to hear what everyone else’s go to products are so please comment and share!!  I’m much more interested in what other similarly aged women use that works than what Kim Kardashian’s favorites are, you know?  However, that seems to be all that is out there lately…Spare me please!

Kim