How to Keep Your Skin Moisturized in the Winter + Give-a-way!!!

With the First Day of Winter right around the corner --- Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 10:28 AM CDST to be exact, I've noticed the weather has already cooled down here in Chicago.

With the blistering temps, wind and snow (yes already!), the cold has a nasty little way of sucking up almost every ounce of moisture and making you look and feel drier than the Sahara Desert.

Seasonal acne is also more common during this time due to the colder temperatures --- the drier your skin, the more it tells your body to produce more oil --- making it easier for bacteria to breed. If you notice more pimples than usual, it's not your fault --- blame it on the cold; however, finding the proper moisturizing products can help :)

A common mistake that we all make, at some point, is skipping our skincare routine because we are not outside as much as we were during those beautiful summer months.

Fact: the sun is still out in the winter. Earth is actually closer to the sun in January and farther away in July! So yes, you still NEED sunscreen to prevent further damage.

Though I don't experience breakouts often, I have noticed that my oily skin has switched to normal/dry in the past few weeks. With that being said, I'm actually switching out my oily skincare products for some more moisturizing winter-proof items.

Let's talk about it, babes!

Tips to keep your skin moisturized during the winter:

1. Gentle Cleanser
   As you all know, I am in love with my daily scrub. It made my skin look and feel so good. My skin looks so CLEAR. No dirt. No ash. It was like my skin was "alive." It gave me that nice squeaky-clean feeling but in the wintertime, I noticed my skin felt a little dry --- it was "tight" after I rinsed off. Last year, I refused to give it up because I was so happy with my results. I did NOT want to go back to looking like one of the actors from the Walking Dead :/
   
   I recently discovered another facial cleanser that had similar properties and promises. It was a cream that promised to cleanse the skin of dirt, oil and impurities, help reinforce skin's protective moisture barrier to keep skin feeling resilient and prep skin for moisturizer. It said it would improve skin tone and texture and it was suited for normal/dry skin which is perfect for me!
   
   Interesting thought: this cleanser does not "foam"; however, cleansers that foam/lather have an alkaline pH. Our skin has an acidic pH. The alkalinity can strip away your skin's acid mantle which prevents it from retaining moisture --- thus making it more susceptible to drying out.
   Soap-free and non-lathering cleansers usually have a neutral pH which doesn't disrupt the skin's acidity level and is less drying.
   
   The Anew Clean Comforting Cream Cleanser & Mask is a cream that doesn't have much lather but makes your skin feel softer and moisturized when applied. I don't feel as though I'm striping my skin of it's natural oils but I still feel clean.
   
   Anew Clean Comforting Cream Cleanser & Mask
   
   While waiting on my new cleanser, I used my micellar water instead of my scrub as it was more gentle and toned my skin at the same time.
   
2. Exfoliate
   Now this step is completely optional! Exfoliation for me is key. It helps to remove dead skin cells which in turn, makes it easier for your skin to absorb the treatments and moisturizers you use later. I suggest gently exfoliating and not as often as you would in summer months. If you exfoliate three times a week, try twice. If you exfoliate twice, try once a week. Of course, everyone's skin is unique so listen to your skin and make adjustments.
   
   For this step, I didn't need to get any additional items. I already had my refining daily scrub and Anew Clinical Extra Strength Retexturizing Peel pads. The scrub gently exfoliates; however, it's the cleansing factor that makes my skin feel drier. The peel pads are after cleansing so my skin doesn't feel "stripped" after the cleansing agents.
   The Retexturizing Peel pads state they'll reveal fresher, smoother, more radiant looking skin, improve texture and radiance, minimize the appearance of sun spots/fine lines/post-acne marks and also contains alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
   Anew Clinical Extra Retexturizing Peel
   
3. Toner
   
   Now this step may be VERY optional for a few people; however, I have personally come to know and love my toner. First, let me just dispel the rumors that toner is ONLY for oily people. Lately, many toners have been created without drying alcohols; therefore, ANYONE can use them --- yes, even you with the dry skin.The primary function of toner is to help restore the skin back to its native pH level which is great if you use a lot of drying cleansers. It also helps to remove dirt, makeup, oil or dead skin cells that the cleanser missed.
   
   There are many toners on the market. I'd personally recommend a toner that is actually moisturizing which leads me to the photo below. I personally LOVE this toner! I makes my skin feel clean and moisturized.Pro tip: moisturizers and serums are easily absorb on damp skin in the winter. Try to either them right after your toner.
   
   Anew Clean Revitalizing Toner
   
4. Treatment
   Let me be the first to say that I am NOT a serum or even treatment type of girl. I like to keep my skincare regimens simple BUT my skin seems to disagree with me especially lately. So no more cleanser and out the door!I'd be lying if I said I wasn't skeptical to try a new serum. It's just something about the word "serum" that makes me think that it's going to be heavy and uncomfortable. I like the lightweight and "airy" feeling.
   
   Yet, they say try a hydrating serum to help boost and seal in moisture. Now the added benefit to this serum is that it has anti-aging properties. Reluctantly, I tried this serum but I was pleasantly surprised by how light it feels and how easily I could use my moisturizers on top!
   
   Anew Power Serum
   
5. Moisturizer
   As stated previously, the sun is still out in the winter and could potentially be more dangerous than it is in summer months; therefore, it should not come as a surprise when I mention getting an AM moisturizer that has a higher SPF.
   
   This moisturizer is perfect for sensitive skin as it is fragrance- and oil-free. It promises to help heal environmental damage while also offering up to 24 hours of moisture!
   
   Anew Skinvincible Day Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50
   
6. Overnight Cream
   If you've ever spoken to a skincare fanatic, you've probably heard us say "day cream/lotion helps protect the skin while night creams help repair the skin." Yes, day creams can also help repair; however, the body's strongest healing properties are when it's at rest.
   
   Just like the day lotion mentioned above, the deep recovery cream is fragrance- and oil-free. It is suitable for sensitive skin and also has anti- aging properties! This is suitable for daily use after cleansing at night.
   
   Anew Skinvincible Deep Recovery Cream
   
7. Overnight Mask
   Just like the overnight cream mentioned above, night creams are great for dry skin! With this Overnight Hydration Mask, you actually don't need to use it as often.
   
   This hydration masks says that it will boost the skin's moisture up to 3x instantly and hydrate the skin for up to 48 hours! It also has anti-aging properties so it will help with fine and dry lines as well as overall dryness. It is fragrance-, paraben- and oil-free so great for those with sensitive skin. 
   
   If your skin is incredibly dry, you can actually use this on top of  your night cream.
   
   Anew Clinical Overnight Hydration Mask
   

Bonus tip: for overall moisture, as soon as you exit the shower, apply your body cream to damp skin to help seal in moisture.

One of my personal faves? Skin So Soft WinterSoft!

WinterSoft products include babassu oil, shea butter and vitamin E with a soothing scent of sandalwood and sensual jasmine.

Enter for your chance to win a free Skin So Soft WinterSoft Collection which includes (click the photo below):

• Nourishing Hand Cream 3.4 fl. oz.
• Nourishing Body Cream 6.7 fl. oz.
• Hydrating Body Wash 11.8 fl. oz.

Click here to enter.