Like a lot of people, my skin always becomes drier in the winter but this year it’s suffered more than ever. Here in the UK, it’s been a colder winter than usual with temperatures in London consistently around 5 to 7 degrees during January. I have persistent dry patches on my neck and face which can itch horribly. Some products have helped, but I’m yet to find a magic bullet.
Winter in a local park in London
I’ve been squirting a good amount of Johnson & Johnson Baby Oil into my bath water and once a week while having a soak, I apply Clarins HydraQuench Cream Mask which started to make a difference after three applications. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+ is still the best body moisturiser I’ve found.
I’m cleansing my face with La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser after a recommendation from my pal Vanessa of Bonkers About Perfume (who has been blogging about her contact dermatitis). I’m following this with La Roche-Posay Soothing Lotion for sensitive skin because although toners are supposed to do no more than water, I like using them.
HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase by Clarins is the consistency of water which makes it a little tricky to apply but also means I can use it on my parched eye area and it soaks in quickly. I follow this with La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intensive Eyes. I’ve turned to Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Repairing Cream (again La Roche-Posay) combined with a couple of drops of RESIST Hyaluronic Acid Booster from Paula’s Choice for extra moisture, but the effects have only been temporary. MAC Prep+Prime Lip provides a moisturising base for lipstick.
Unless it’s a gym day, it doesn’t make sense to use an antiperspirant during winter so I’ve switched to Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant. This stuff smells absolutely fantastic when sprayed but isn’t potent enough to clash with your perfume.
At night I’m mostly sticking with my usual Paula’s Choice evening routine except I’ve dropped the liquid exfoliant while my skin is so sensitive.
I apply Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm before bed and the truth is that I’m more than a little bit in love with this product. Previously, I was using Lano Lips but my bottom lip still split open, which was beyond grim. Since using the Nuxe balm my lips have been totally transformed even though I wear drying lip pencils and matte lipsticks most days. It also has a gorgeous honeyed lemon scent.
What products do you turn to in the winter to protect and nourish your skin? Have you found anything that works on dry patches? Should I just use Vaseline or is there a better alternative? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments.
A Bottled Rose 
I have recently discovered trilogy oils, and I love to use the Q1 anti ageing at the moment. I’m also a fan of the reve de miel balm, and have been using that on very dry elbows…
I have the odd red patch as well, and for that I have been testing the LRP Rosaliac Intense serum, but it’s too early to say if it works.
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I have the Rosehip Trilogy Oil so will try that tonight.
I hope the LRP serum works for you. It’s horrible having red/dry patchy skin.
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For my face oils are my saviours every winter. I only use them at night maybe 3 or four times a week but they keep my skin happy. My favourite is Clarins Blue Orchid oil, it’s absolutely fabulous and if you try it I’m sure you’ll love it. Weleda Skin Food keeps the dry patches on my hands a bit more under control, still I haven’t found anything that works properly on my poor little abused hands. Any suggestions, I’d be happy to try anything. I scrub my lips with Lush’s Lip Scrub in Mint Julep on a regular basis, maybe 2-3 times a week and I use Blistex Medicated Plus and Blistex Daily Care lip balms but the Nuxe version sound yummy, and I might give it a go. On my body I just use my own mix of oils and sometimes Cocoa Palmer’s Antiaging Smoothing Body Lotion. My skin is pretty resilient, and I don’t suffer with a lot of dryness, except my hands which are in a horrible state.
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I’ve been wondering if I should be using oils. I’ve tired the sandalwood one from Calrins but not the Blue Orchid. Thanks for reminding me about Skin Food, I’m going to pick that up for sure and the Lush lip scrub sounds great.
The best hand cream I’ve found is the Neutrogena Concentrated Hand Cream with the red lid. I hope it helps!
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It is going to sound strange, but I am not sure I have any winter regime, beyond using a lower SPF factor (as Sali Hughes commends 😉 ). The eczema battling is proving to be a year round thing – thanks for the linkage to my blog on that! – in particular an annoying patch the size of Greenland on my forehead that comes more than it goes. Since the onset of the dermatitis, my routine is incredibly simple, though I try periodically to mix things up a bit and check nothing awful happens as a result. My top wonder all-in-one product at the moment for night application is ‘Cerave PM facial moisturising lotion’ which a US reader kindly tipped me off about, and to which Paula gives top marks, would you believe, for all round efficacy despite being a humble drugstore product more or less.
Did you know that we deep delvers into all matters dermatological are now being referred to as ‘skintellectuals’? All tongue in cheek I am sure. 😉
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“Skintellectuals”! There’s a name for everyone now.
I can see how battling dermatitis is a year-round issue but think you’re doing the best thing by simplifying your routine as much as possible. I’ve been tempted to throw everything at my skin in the hope that something works.
I’ll have to see where I can get CeraVe from. Thanks for the tip!
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Amazon have it – with free shipping on two bottles. Being American, you can’t find it in the shops.
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That sounds like a fair deal for something from the States. Thanks for the info, V.
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Winter is tough on skin that’s for sure! This year I’ve been using Keihl’s Facial Fuel (on my face oddly enough), and the Chanel Body Oil which came out last November. It’s non-oily, absorbs very well, and manages to perfectly support just about any perfume/cologne I may spray on top. Love it so much, I just bought a 2nd bottle! -Robert H.
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Hi Robert
Ooh I didn’t know Chanel had an unscented body oil. Buying a second bottle is a good recommendation! How luxurious. I know Val loves the No. 5 one. I need to get back to using and making my own body oils.
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Haha, oops my bad. I meant the Chanel 5 oil! It’s fantastic, and I lay the blame solidly at Val’s feet. And cookies!
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Haha. If Val and cookies were involved you are definitely forgiven 🙂
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I keep hinting (Val, are you listening???) that sending cookies to the states is really not A BIG DEAL, 😂 But no bites so far…
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I made cookies when I was in Seattle a good year ago and kick myself for not knowing you were in the area. Be patient, you’ll get some at some point. And don’t blame me for nothing. 😀
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I am so sorry you are having such dry skin this year, Tara. I started using face oils last winter and use them every day in the morning under my cream. For the face I use the La Mer oil and for the neck down I use Clarins Blue Orchid. Ever since I started using the oils in conjunction with cream and serums from SkinCeuticals my face does not suffer any more. For the shower I use Bioderma Atoderm shower oil – love it. Thanks to you I need to find the Nuxe lip balm – you have made it sound very appealing. Sandra xo
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Wow thanks Sandra. To hear you found a cure gives me hope. Facial oils seem to the way to go and Skinceuticals sounds like a great brand. Another recommendation for Blue Orchid oil has me tempted.
Hope you like the Nuxe lip balm. It is funny just how much I love it.
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Reve de Miel lip balm is my life saver during winter months too. 🙂 Amazing stuff.
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Honestly, Ines, it’s rare that I “mate for life” with a beauty product but this is it for me and Reve de Miel 🙂
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Hi Tara! I don’t really have a winter routine. Lush Celestial Cream counts I guess, must get some more actually. Same Clarins Hydra Quench year round. However, I am gonna order some of the Cerave stuff Vanessa recommends. Either from Amazon or when Judith goes to the States. Need to check it out. I think an evening routine would be good. But I usually fall into a coma before making time to take off my makeup. hahahahaha.
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HI Val!
Ah, you use HydraQuench too then. It’s early days but I really like the lightness of the serum. I’m not a fan of those silicone heavy ones.
I’ve heard about Cerave before so will have to look into where to get it from too.
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I don’t have any special winter routine since I don’t really have winter but currently I’m, in general, having a skin-related “midlife crisis”: I don’t like anything, I doubt everything and I want to try something new before it’s too late 🙂 I plan to just try to figure out the best recommended (not sure by whom so I’ll probably start with Paola) in every category, stick to that for a couple of months and see what I think.
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Undina, that happened to me when I turned 40. Paula’s Choice is great but it helps if you can find a beauty expert you really trust and educate yourself. In the UK beauty journalist Sali Hughes was a big help to me with her book Pretty Honest. At some stage, a 3 step routine isn’t enough but you don’t want to be fooled by false promises and expensive products that do little. It’s tricky but it’s definitely not too late!
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I’ll look up her book, thank you.
My routine is far away from a 3 step, I just want somebody else to tell me the right steps – or that “dance” might look pathetic 🙂
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Well you are clearly well ahead but I hope the book helps. I can’t imagine you ever looking pathetic!
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Hi Tara, I have forgotten what winter feels like in our current heatwave in Sydney…the nuxe lip balm is very good, and I asked at the Chanel counter for no 5 body oil they were sold out in October apparently, only a Xmas period. Had to have some after I read Vals post! The bioderma body wash is very good also for dry skin I use it occasionally, and moisturise with palmers cocoa butter after a shower. I only use serums on my face, Jurlique Rose and a kiehls one also. Xx anna
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Hi Anna Maria,
It must be scorching in Sydney right now. Stay cool!
I wonder if the No5 body oil was just limited to the Xmas period then? If so, I hope the success means they bring it back permanently.
I will check out the Jurlique serum. Love anything rose 🙂
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I fell for the same balm, and I love that it’s not all glossy and slippery. I’m also a recent convert to the Nuxe dry oil–particularly after a bath–which stops me looking like a recently dug-up dinosaur.
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Crikey, yes! The Nuxe balm doesn’t feel all greasy and icky. The texture is really good plus it works brilliantly. I like the body oil too but tend to save it for holidays. I know all about dinosaur skin!
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Six months ago, I moved from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon. The cold, wet winter has really given my skin a beating and I’ve had to switch products. I’ve discovered the line Paula’s Choice and I love both the resist serum and the resist toner. They have kept my skin hydrated.
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That’s great to hear. The Resist products are really good. It must have been tough for your skin, going from LA to Portland.
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The extreme climate change has been a shock. Also, for the first time in my life, my skin is pasty. 😦
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Oh dear. Living in England I can relate to the pasty face 🙂
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Where in England do you live? My husband is English and his hometown, where his family still lives, is Newbury. I love visiting!
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That’s lovely to hear. I’m in London.
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