I posted this entry on my other blog in November and after getting ready to go into freezing temps this morning, I decided to repost it here. 

I’ve been fortunate to not have acne ever. Female friends have given me a side-eye anytime this is brought up but I have to say it’s just good genes and a little work. Since I’ve been living in Seattle, I’ve had to create a routine which means effort. I’d like to share with you the staples as well as a new product I’ve been using and actually have on my face as I start this post.

As we know the main rule of thumb is cleanse, tone and moisturize. I’ll take you through the products I use for each.

Cleanse

I used to use the Simple Facial Wash all of the time for the last couple of months but I received a sample of the DDF Brightening Cleanser in a Birchbox and when I tried it I was in love! I took the sample home with me at the end of September and I was there for 12 days and used it twice a day and only half of the bottle was gone! It is pretty pricey but I found a size that could probably last over 3 months for a good price in Marshall’s and I’ve made it my morning facial wash and now the Simple is for night time only. I will say that the DDF tends to dry out your face a bit but it doesn’t bother me because of the awesome toner I use. Simple is a product from the UK but early in the Summer my supermarket started carrying it so I gave it a try and was very pleased as well.

Toner

I think I started using this toner from last year or even 2010 but I refuse to try another. It is the Vitamin E Hydrating Toner by The Body Shop. I love this toner because it is very hydrating. Even during the Winter when I’ve rushed out the house without putting on any moisturizer but managed to wipe my face with this, it didn’t dry out! When I saw this I was sold. Obviously you shouldn’t go without moisturizing but on the day this happened I knew I was in good hands and didn’t look like a ghost. Any season, any weather, this moisturizes and hydrates and one bottle lasts about 4.5 months. You don’t have to use a lot of it.

Moisturize

I use so many moisturizers on my face it’s ridiculous but I will share with you my staples because it’s easier. During the Summer, before I moisturize, I use Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock SPF 70 and I find this also helps to mattify my face once I put on the moisturizer. During the winter, I do not put this on because it is so dry I don’t want to look like the walking dead. So I only use a peas-size or less amount of Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturizer. I’m yet to use this through a full winter but so far it’s been good. At night, I break out the good ole Vaseline jar. Yes! Vaseline!! I got this from my mother who was born and raised in England (so she knows about Winter skin) and still uses it daily in Barbados. Nightime is when your skin has a chance to rejuvenate so I tend to apply a thin (or thick depending on how I feel) layer of this when I’m ready to go to bed. In the morning, my face is smooth and hydrated and not oily.

Lips

My bedtime favorite and companion is the Eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balm in Sweet Mint and I use Vaseline to repair very chapped lips. What I like about Eos the most, is the shape and I can apply it to both of my lips at the same time and not just the bottom then rub for the top! It’s fun and hydrating and doesn’t cause any build-up. I feel lost at night when I don’t use it, unless I’m using Vaseline :D. During the day however, I use this at the start and then I have others that I may use as a base under whatever lip gloss or lipstick I’m wearing.

Other Essentials

I am so excited to share this next product. I recently found it in Rite Aid and I had to give it a try. I never used a mud mask before and I wanted to try something different on my skin. The Deep Down Detox Ultra Cleansing Mud Mask by Formula 10.0.6 is amazing  and cheap (US$5.99!!)! I tried facial wipes from this brand and I was very happy with them so I figured I would be ok trying a new product from them, but I didn’t expect to be this blown away. After my first use, my skin felt extremely soft and looked radiant. I washed off the mask and used the toner and vaseline and in the morning I felt like a new person. That was a few days ago and I used it again tonight and the same result. I may just have to stock up on this product.

Freeman Silk a Peel Cucumber Melon Peel-off Facial Masque is another favorite. I use this one to get any blackheads and just dirt in general from around my nose especially. I do use it on my whole face but it’s main focus is my nose.

Winter can be very tough on your skin so always remember to not go overboard when you treat it and be gentle. More than anything, make sure you have appropriate moisturizers for wherever you are. I mentioned face in the title because my body has a routine of it’s own as well which I’ll consider posting sometime in the future. Hope you enjoyed this post!

xx

*Images taken from product websites and Bing.com.