Winter in the South pales in comparison to Winter in many other parts of the country, I know that full and well. This year however, the South seems to be trying to prove a point with the cold snaps we've had. Someone was telling me the other day that this February is expected to be one of the coldest one we will have experienced in a long time. With these seasonal changes comes a need for a change in the products I use to combat the dryness the cold temperatures cause.
Throughout this post you'll see that most of the products are from Beautycounter. I've mentioned in a recent post that I've been slowly switching to safer skin care and I plan to post all about why I chose Beautycounter as that safer skincare company next week. For now I've had requests to share what my night time skin care routine looks like which seemed like a fun idea. I've included in this post some of my top favorites (see products with *) that seem to be making the most difference for my skin since it won't make sense to completely switch up your entire routine all at once. My skin is definitely not perfect, but I like to think that these products have helped to keep it moisturized and relatively clear so far this winter.
I like to shower at night. I'm all about getting in bed completely clean. I don't wash my hair every night (because I'm lazy) but will still usually rinse off before putting on my pajamas just to get that clean feeling. Most of the time I try to shower a couple of hours before bed so that I can let my hair dry in in a towel for a while before blow drying it. Because of this, my skin care routine is spread out over a period of time. I've done my best to break it up into steps so that it is less confusing to follow.
Step 1: Beautycounter Cleansing Balm
Taking off makeup at the end of the day is so satisfying. I used to rely on a face wash and some eye makeup remover to do the trick, but last fall discovered a better option. I've been using this Cleansing Balm for a while now and love how easy it is to use. It's definitely expensive, but I don't doubt that this container will last me a long time since I've only recently started to make a visible dent. If I'm showering that night, I put some on my face, rubbing it in, and rinse it off first thing when I hop in the shower. The balm is really smooth and just takes a little rubbing to remove all of my makeup, including mascara. Fortunately, if you get it in your eye it doesn't sting like some makeup removers have a tendency to do. If I'm not showering and am instead going to wash my face in the sink I still use the cleansing balm but need to use the washcloth they sent with it to make sure I get it all off.
Step 2: Nourishing Cream Cleanser
The face wash I use daily is Beautycounter's Nourishing Cream Cleanser. My friend, Sophia, gave this to me as part of my Christmas present. She loves it and was correct in that I'd love it too. It's really gentle and a little bit goes a long way. It cleans my skin while also making sure I've gotten all of the Cleansing Balm rubbed in. This is awesome to use with a Clarionic if you have one.
Step 3: Charcoal Bar* or Nourishing Cream Exfoliator
The reason there are two things mentioned for this step is because I try to alternate between these two products. The Charcoal Bar is hands down one of the best products Beautycounter offers and would take forever to use up. I love the way my skin feels after using it (it feels tighter almost like a mini facelift). When using the Charcoal Bar you get it wet and create a foamy lather in your hands before putting that foamy lather on your face. I think that you can rub the charcoal bar on your face but I don't feel like that is quite as sanitary even though I'm the only one using it.
On days that I don't use the Charcoal Bar (usually days that I take a shower) I use the Nourishing Cream Exfoliator. It is similar to the Nourishing Cream Cleanser but contains itty bitty non-abrasive jojoba beads. I really like exfoliating my skin and have found this to be a much safer way than the St. Ives Apricot Scrub I used to use.
Step 4: Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion* with No.3 Balancing Oil
By now I've made it out of the shower and am more than likely in a robe and slippers before putting on my PJs. In the winter, a moisturizer is essential. My skin has a tendency to get incredibly dry. This year it has been a lot better than years past and I am giving all the credit to the Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion. This stuff is incredible. I'm on my second bottle and don't force eliminating this from my routine ever. When Beautycounter first released this product it sold out in a day. I'm not sure the best way to describe what the lotion actually does, but this is what the website says: "Breakthrough Bio-Mimic Technology harnesses the unique life-giving properties of plants to exactly match the structure of skin, giving it precisely what it needs and nothing it doesn’t."
I've been using Beautycounter's face oils since Junior Year of college and specifically love their balancing oil. I put a couple drops in my hand with my lotion before rubbing it in. I never would have believed that putting oil on your skin could be beneficial but after reading the reviews a long time ago when struggling with my skin I knew I had to try it. It's another product that is a bit more expensive but has proved its worth over time. I also really like the brightening oil they offer but keep the balancing oil as a part of my daily routine.
Step 5: Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream* and Lip Conditioner
This last step happens right before bed as long as I remember. The Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream is a more intense version of the lotion I use in step four of my routine. I think the amount of lotion I use at night goes to show just how desperately my skin needs to be moisturized in the winter. This is the product I've been using the least amount of time, but I've been waking up with the softest skin ever since starting to use it. The container it comes in is super cool although it took me a while to figure out how to actually open the product (oops). Since my lips tend to be like the rest of my skin and super dry in the winter I use their peppermint lip balm to attempt to combat that issue.
Five steps later and I'm finished for the night. While this routine has definitely been working well for my skin I definitely think it has started to help me prioritize taking care of myself as well. Certainly a win-win. I'd love to hear what products you depend on in the winter or which of these products you think would fit well into your routine!
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