My Winter Skincare Routine

Hi friend! Welcome to a fresh, new week! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! We had football practice, a football game and spent Saturday night walking the Lights in the Heights Christmas tour. It was the 38th annual tradition where several streets are blocked off to car traffic and you can stroll the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights and enjoying live music. It’s such a fun holiday excursion!

AND, I’m so excited because I got my new YouTube video posted!  It was my very first time editing a video and getting it uploaded and there was a definite learning curve!  It took me a long time to figure it out, and my edits are very basic, but I did it!  🙂

I really like long form content because it lets me chat in more detail with you and share a realistic day in my life.  I plan to continue making weekly videos, so I hope you watch and enjoy!  The next video will be a What I Eat in a Day (high carb edition).

You can watch my latest video here and I would be honored if you would subscribe!

Winter Skincare

As you might have seen, I gifted Elemis Marine Cream w SPF 30 at our favorite things party this year and it gave me the idea to do an updated winter skincare post.

I didn’t get serious about skin care until I was 40 years old (10 years ago!), and since then I’ve been using almost exclusively Colleen Rothschild skin care products. (On CYBER sale now, 30 – 50% off!)

In the past, I struggled with breakouts, combination and sensitive skin, hyperpigmentation, uneven texture, dullness and wrinkles. I’ve always had to be careful with the products I use on my face – including makeup and sunscreen because I’m prone to breakouts.

Since I have had such success with Colleen’s skin care, I haven’t really ventured out, but this year I was gifted a couple of Elemis’ skin care products and gave them a try. I discovered I really like them! (Also on sale 30% off with a FREE gift!)

I know that skincare is unique to each individual and the products that one person swears by may not work for another.

In today’s post, I’m going to share with you my tried and true skincare favorites and a few new products I’ve introduced into my beauty routine lately, including the popular red light therapy mask that I have a discount code for : HONEYCB for 10% off

My Winter Skincare Routine

Let’s go in order of how I apply my skincare products.

BUT FIRST, Dermaplane

I sometimes forget to do this, but I dermaplaned my face last week and it made such a big difference! Dermaplaning is basically shaving your face and it removes all that peach fuzz and exfoliates your skin by removing dead skin cells revealing fresh, brighter skin and helps with cell turnover.

I do swear by a lighted dermaplane razor – it helps you see so much better while you’re using it. The one I have is from Amazon and a few years old, so they have a new version now.

It’s always incredible so see all that peach fuzz come off your skin and it leaves your skin feeling so soft and smooth. Then, your skincare absorbs better and your makeup looks more flawless.

ONE | Cleanser

I have several cleansers that I rotate between depending on how my skin feels.

Radiant Cleansing Balm – one of my ride or die products that glides on and dissolves into a luxurious oil that removes impurities and leaves skin feeling soft and supple. I feel like I’m in a spa when I use it.

Purifying Cleanser – from Colleen’s Gentle & Clear line that’s designed for blemish prone, sensitive, and reactive skin. I initially bought it for my teen son, but ended up liking it so much that I use it myself too. The Purifying Cleanser combines the anti-inflammatory power of micro silver and charcoal to help reduce and prevent skin imperfections. It lifts impurities and unclogs pores, leaving my face feeling soft and clean.

I usually keep this on my bathtub and wash my face night there, so all the water drips into the tub instead of all over the counter.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Energising Cleanser – Supercharged with minerals magnesium, zinc and copper and a trio of acids, it leaves your complexion looking beautifully revived and rejuvenated.

I keep this one in my shower and have been using it after my workout. I like how it builds to a soft, rich lather and leaves my skin feeling deep cleaned, but not stripeed.

While not technically a cleanser, I also really like the Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Pads. You use these after cleansing as an additional step to physically sweep away dry skin, reducing the appearance of dullness, for a brighter and renewed complexion.

First, use the woven textured side over your face and neck in a circular motion. Next, use the smooth side for one final sweep to clear any dislodged skin, for a smooth and clean finish. I really like these if my skin starts getting clogged from my workouts and I also use them on my chest.

Last year, I discovered the Clean Skin Club Towelettes and really like using them. These are awesome because you use them to dry your face as opposed to using your bath towel that likely isn’t washed daily.

When you dry your face with the Clean Skin Club towel, your face isn’t exposed to that bacteria.

I LOVE these! I use them to pat my face dry, then also use them while applying my makeup. Anything I need to wipe off goes onto the towel, and then I can fold it up and wipe down my wet sink with it.

The towels are ultra soft, 100% USDA bio-based (no chemicals), dermatologist tested and approved, vegan and climate pledge friendly.

TWO | Serum

I always use the Vitamin C Brightening Serum in the morning after cleansing. It contains stabilized Vitamin C (THD Ascorbate) and the workhorse antioxidant Niacinamide, along with other powerful antioxidants. This blend helps improve the appearance of dark spots, smooths uneven skin texture, and brightens dullness while defending against the impact of environmental aggressors. 

My skin is more radiant and even toned since I started using and my hyperpigmentation on my cheeks has visibly diminished.

Other serums I may use as needed, but not necessarily everyday.

Age Renewal Super Serum – This serum fights six signs of aging : texture, dehydration, elasticity, fine lines, radiance and tone. It’s infused with more than 20 potent ingredients including peptides, collagen boosters, amino acids, vitamins and plant extracts. Apply a few drops all over your face, not forgetting your neck.

Hyaluronic Serum It provides superior moisture-binding hydration to help prevent transepidermal water loss “TEWL” (the amount of water that passively evaporates through skin due). TWEL can be triggered by certain skin conditions and also dry weather, spending time indoor with dry air conditioners and heaters, or overwashing with harsh soaps.

This Hyaluronic Serum has a thin, silky consistency, and doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky or oily. It quickly absorbs and has no noticeable scent. You can apply it morning and night after cleansing and before moisturizer.

THREE | EYE Treatment

The delicate skin around the eyes needs special care to maintain its elasticity and brightness. The Retinol Supreme Eye Serum has retinol and vitamin C help revitalize the delicate skin around the eyes. It’s very gentle and a little goes a long way. 

I like how it has a metal applicator that glides along your under eye with a cooling feel. Then, you can use your ring finger to gently tap the product into the skin.

Four | Moisturizer

The Extreme Recovery Cream works wonders for improving your stressed out skin while providing high levels of continuous moisture. In the winter especially, I notice that my skin is dry and needs high moisture. The Extreme Recovery Creme is one of my all-time faves since it’s very hydrating and moisturizing with a thicker consistency. Although I have combination skin, this rich creme does wonders for it and doesn’t make it feel greasy or oily. It also doesn’t break out my skin.

I often use the Face Oil No. 9  after or with the Extreme Recovery Creme (blending them together) and find that my face makeup goes on much smoother and looks more luminous and not cakey or flakey. Just a couple drops of the face oil is all you likely need.

Five | Sunscreen

It’s definitely recommended to use a broad spectrum SPF to protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays, even in the winter.  And don’t forget to give your hands some love too.  Opinions differ on which step you should apply sunscreen, but Colleen and I agree, it’s the last step before makeup.

Colleen used to have a sunscreen that I really liked, but it’s been discontinued. 🙁

That’s one reason I really like the Elemis Marine Cream w SPF 30– it contains sunscreen. Elemis calls it their “hero daily moisturizer ” with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. This anti-aging moisturizer with SPF is formulated with powerful marine and plant actives, including the moisture-boosting superhero algae Padina Pavonica, Chlorella and Ginkgo Biloba, to improve firmness and deliver instant hydration.

It has a wonderful delicate floral aroma since it’s infused with rose and mimosa.

The consistency is also amazing- a lightweight, gel-cream that glides effortlessly onto your skin, leaving a silky-satin finish. It’s good stuff!

I do have several other sunscreens I’ve used in the past, that have worked well for me and not broken out my face.

Elta MD – oil free with zinc oxide and my friend and makeup artist uses it too.

Cerave has a great everyday moisturizer that contains sunscreen at a drugstore price. It also has niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Sometimes I use this on my face before walking outside if I feel like I could use some moisture.

Alastin Hydratint ProMinteral Sunscreen

I feel like this is a hidden gem of a beauty product! It’s a tinted sunscreen that provides SFP 36 protection, but also acts like a lightweight foundation to give your skin a flawless finish. I often use this in place of foundation and get the same effect!

Fre Glow Me+ 50 – I’ve been applying this in the morning, before I go to the gym. I like how it evens out my skin tone and protects my skin from the harsh morning sun.

The Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen is great under makeup because goes on in a lightweight clear gel and also acts like a primer.

The Clinique Dramatically Different is an old school fave.

At Night

Elemis Pro Collagen Overnight Matrix – Since my skin gets dry in the winter, I like to apply a cream all over before bed.

This one is an anti-aging night cream that gently accelerates cell turnover and supports the skin’s natural circadian rhythm, restoring the skin’s natural balance for a more refreshed complexion, with restored ‘bounce’ and a more even skin texture.

Red Light Therapy

I’ve heard so much about those red light therapy masks, even my mom has been raving about them! I didn’t think much of it, except that people look so funny wearing them!

Then, Current Body offered to send me one without any obligation, but they did give me a discount code to share HONEYCB for 10% off, so of course I wanted to try it.

The main reason I was interested is because I still have scars on my eyelid from my blepharoplasty procedure.

But the benefits are supposed to be amazing for reducing the visible signs of aging with firmer, brighter and smoother skin in just 4 weeks.

*I haven’t used it consistently enough to give my full, honest opinion about how it’s worked for me, but I will report back soon! I have to keep it out on my nightstand so I remember to use it!

You wear the mask for just 10 minutes a day, 3 – 5 times a week. The device is 100% painless and does not generate heat.

I always thought those masks were hard plastic when I saw them online, but after receiving one, I realized it’s a soft bendable material so it’s easier and more comfortable to wear than I imagined.

Cracking up over how Luke is like WHAT?!

The Skin LED Light Therapy Mask has:

• 236 LEDs emit the 3 most clinically recognised wavelengths for anti-aging, penetrating up to 10mm into the skin:

• Red light (633nm): Boosts collagen production, reducing fine lines and wrinkles

• Near-infrared (830nm): Energizes cells to firm, tighten and brighten skin

• Deep near-infrared (1072nm): Targets areas where signs of aging are more pronounced, boosting collagen production deep under the skin.

BODY

One more thing I wanted to mention is body care. I apply lotion to my whole body after every shower, regardless of the season.

I swear by good ole Curel lotion for a basic moisturizer that doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky or greasy. It has barely any scent and is such a budget friendly price. I’ve used it for decades.

But, this year I started trying some other lotions and I’ve really felt pampered! Such a small thing, but applying a more luxurious lotion with a lovely scent can be a little joy in life.

The Sol De Janeiro Limited Edition Cheirosa 71 Shimmering Body Cream is so rich with a deliciously sexy sent and some shimmer.

I like the Saltair Vanilla Body Butter and Sol de Janiero for day.

Saltair Vanilla Body Butter – it’s a rich, nourishing hydrating body cream with ceramide complex, coconut oil, shea butter, and sea buckthorn.

It’s has a light vanilla scent and a comes in a large 10-ounce jar.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Body Cream

I didn’t want to gate keep this special body cream, but I feel guilty even sharing it because it’s ridiculously expensive and was originally gifted to me.

To replenish it, I only buy it when it’s on sale and you can often find it on QVC but not the Elemis website. 

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Body Cream

I was looking online to see what exactly makes this cream so wonderful and it said that its “advanced formula has been specially designed to target visible signs of aging on the body, to firm the look of skin, and help restore hydration from head to toe.” Firm me up, baby!

It’s so silky with a lovely gel cream consistency and even Elliott has commented how soft my skin is when I use it. It also has a beautiful rose/mimosa scent but not totally like a rose – I don’t usually care for that scent, but this scent I love!

I use this cream at night before bed and it is just divine!

As always, I hope this post was helpful for you! I’d love to hear what skincare works for you!

Now let’s go kick Monday’s booty!