Baby, It's Cold Outside, So Don't Forget To Follow This Winter Skincare Routine

If you don't know how to identify your skintype, cleanse your face gently and then don't apply anything onto it for about 20-30 minutes.

After which if your skin feels tight and dry you have dry skin type. 

If your face feels sticky and oily then you have an oily skin type. 

If your skin is oily in some places (such as the T-zone or chin) and dry in some on your face, then you have a combination skin.

But if your skin feels sensitive and irritable without using any product, then you have sensitive skin. 

If it's none of the above then you have normal skin ( and we're jealous of you). 

Start and end your day with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and impurities. Cleansing helps prevent breakouts and keeps your skin fresh and ready to absorb all the goodness from your skincare products. Make sure to use cleansers that don't strip your skin of its natural oils but at the same time remove all the clogged pores and dirt from the skin. Thus, your skincare routine begins in the shower itself.  

Frequency: Ideally twice a day- morning and evening

Best Face Cleanser: Foxtale's Daily Duet, is suitable for all skin types, and has a hydrating formula which also removes your make-up. 

Pro tip: See this for best cleansers to use during winters

Exfoliating is key, especially in winter. It helps slough off dead skin cells, revealing smoother, more radiant skin. Use a scrub or exfoliating gloves, etiher ways exfoliate the entire body. For your face you can always turn to an AHA BHA peel instead of physical exfloiators however we don't mind the MCaffeine face scrub. Don't forget your lips – a gentle lip scrub can keep them soft and plump, even in the coldest weather. Exfoliation should be done once a week. 

LBB tip: If you want to shave, exfoliate, apply your bath oils and raze away at all the unwanted body hair, at this step itself.  

Frequency: Ideally 2-3 times a week

Best Scrub: This MCaffine Coffee body and face scrub combo not just removes dead skin and exfoliates your body, but also removes tan and hydrates the skin as you use it. 

Pro-tip: Get the best body scrubs here

Treat yourself to a hydrating mask about twice a week. Masks help replenish moisture, soothe dry skin, and give your complexion that extra boost. It's like a mini spa day for your face! After exfoliating your skin is very sensitive and vulnerable, which is why using a mask on it will rejuvenate it of all the qualities. 

Frequency: Ideally 2-3 times a week 

Best Face-mask: This real nature mask from the face shop is a great choice if you want a Korean glass skin as it contains rice extract, or you can go for avocado one if you are looking to moisturise and hydrate your skin, and you can also use it on your next and foot. 

Pro-tip: For the best sheet masks, see this

Toning helps balance your skin's pH levels and preps it for the next steps in your skincare routine. Look for a gentle toner that won't strip your skin of its natural oils. Keep in mind that toning is essential for your skin as it reduces pores and use alcohol free toners regardless of your skin type to avoid irritation.

Frequency: If you have an oily and acne prone skin then it is recommended to use a high astringent formula toner every 2 days, for normal skin, using toner every morning and night will lead to the best results, for more dry and irritable skin, use toner every other day. 

Best Toner: This toner from plum is rosy, enriching and alcohol free, works with all skin types, while being kind on your wallet. It comes in 100ml or 150ml bottles so choose your type. 

Pro tip: For best toners for oily skin, see this 

Serums are packed with powerful ingredients that target specific skin concerns. Whether you're dealing with dryness, dullness, or acne, a serum can help address it and give your skin the boost it needs, basically serums are the magic touch that help heal your skin. Don't forget to put on sunscreen after even if you are staying indoors if you put on serum in the mornings as they are active ingredients in concentrated form.

Best way to use a serum would be add a few drops on your face and spread it evenly, even dab it if you're feelin' a little fancy and let the skin absorb all the goodness!

Frequency: Use every morning and night for best results. 

Best Serum: No particular serum can work for all issues, but this serum by minimalist is good for hydrating your skin, with hyaluronic acid and PGA this serum hydrates your skin on multilevels. 

Pro tip: For what serums to get for all skin types, see this

Finally we're down to the favourite winter step, moisturisation. Hydration is key, especially in winter. Opt for a rich moisturizer or to lock in moisture and keep your skin soft and supple all day long. Add in a hand, foot and eye creams for nights and do not forget to apply those lip balms to keep your lips soft as well. If you have a dry skin type then go for creamy moisturisers or you can also try body butters. And for oily and acne prone skin, use light water or gel based moistursers instead of just skipping it. 

Frequency: Ideally moisturise your entire body once a day at the minimum, and the face atleast twice a day. 

Best moisturiser: This gel based moisturiser is extremely light on the skin and has hyaluronic acid as well as Vitamin E, which really sets in those serums and toners and locks them into your skin. 

Pro-tip: For best winter moisturisers, see this

Yes, even in winter! UV rays can still damage your skin, even when it's cold outside. So, make sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning to protect your skin from harmful UV rays and maintain your skin's youthful glow, especially if you have an elaborate skincare routine as it gets your skin very vulnerable. 

Frequency: Ideally should be reapplied every 2-3 hours if you're hustling outdoors, but if you are indoors a second application is not needed. 

Best Sunscreen: The Dot & Key Blueberry sunscreen is hydrating and repairing with the combination of Hyaluronic acid and ceramides. This one has 50+ SPF and is PA++++ protecting your skin through the day from the winter sun. 

Pro-tip: Here are some of the top sunscreens for winters