Cold and dry Winter months can be harsh on the skin, depleting all that glow capital we accumulated during Summer. Here are my 5 tips to fight drabness when it comes to my face skin routine.

So of course, we are already doing the obvious stuff. We are sleeping our 8 hours each night, we are that hero who braves the cold to exercise a few times during the week and we even try to eat right even though Winter food can be so rich and comfy. In spite of all these best efforts however, our skin is showing no life. I guess it is time to review a few beauty basic rules to keep your skin glowing all throughout this season.

Follow the 2.60 Cleansing Rule

I can directly credit switching up my skincare routine to this formula for the major improvements I have seen when it comes to results. It all comes down to giving time to the cleansers you use to do their magic on your face. While we spend a considerable amount of time researching and educating ourselves on face washes and their ingredients, we barely keep long enough on to see them at work. The “2.60 Rule” comes to two crucial steps:

1/ Use 2 cleansers during your wash routine also known as “double cleansing”. First, wash your face with an oil cleanser to remove all oils from the skin. The oil contained in the product will help dissolve your face oils, clearing all impurities and make up. Second, follow with your preferred hydrating gentle cleanser. My favorite oil cleanser, and lifesaver, has been the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil - that starts as an oil and then emulsifies with water; it is so moisturizing and relaxing to the skin. Just A+ feel on the face. I was introduced to the Shiseido Benefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam and I have been a believer since, it’s basically like washing your face with a highly fluffy cream - a real treat for a tired face.

2/ Cleanse at least for 60 seconds each time. This one sounds obvious but just ask your self, how long you actually spend washing your face during your routine? There is no point is splurging on expensive cleansers that promise baby skin if we don’t actually leave them on the face long enough to be active and perform. Massaging each of your cleansers for 60 seconds before rinsing allows to rip the benefits of product but to also cleanse deeply.

Exfoliate chemically

Most of us know by now of the importance of exfoliation to help your skin turnover. New skin is healthy skin, supple skin, blemish free skin and we want that. You can choose to exfoliate manually with cleanser containing fine ground elements that will help buff the skin and remove impurities or you can turn to acids peels that will basically help remove the upper layers of the skin. I personally have a preference for acid exfoliation to avoid the potential scarring resulting from the harshness of manual exfoliation. It is actually recommended for mature skins (35+) to use peels. I have been using The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution - a cocktail of glycolic, lactic, citric, tartaric, salicylic and hyaluronic acids that target has been great at targeting multiple skin issues at once, texture, acne and wrinkles. You can watch my review on my Youtube channel ( btw - Like and Subscribe)

Moisturize and treat in layers

The best way to get the maximum effects in your skin routine is to put the most potent elements close to the skin; that means following a certain order to allow them to penetrate and treat the skin and not smother them with other products that will make them useless in the end. The rule is quite simple:

Treatments before moisturizers
Water based serums > oil-based serums > creams and moisturizers.

I also start with lighter skincare products because they penetrate fast and then finish with heavier creams.

Respect your Routine

Religiously sticking to a routine will always be the most important step in achieving glowy skin. Just the simple fact of regularly cleansing, treating and moisturizing will significantly help in regulating our face oils and manage chronic issues more closely. Skipping your night routine means sleeping with all the impurities and UV damage your skin gathered during the day which may results in pimples, dry skin or texture issues in the morning. You can always decide on a pared down version of your routine for lazy days -mine is massaging my oil based cleanser into the skin until it almost disappears, then follow with a resurfacing moisturizer before falling into bed.

Hydrate inside and out

A glowy skin is a moisturized AND hydrated skin so drinking a lot of water throughout the day is non-negotiable in my book. Maintaining water levels in our skin can get difficult with heating, AC, UV rays and all the toxins city living brings and that single moisturizer application during your morning routine can do so much to keep your skin plumped all day. Don’s skip on the water; staying hydrated is key in putting water back into your body and skin. Staying on top of moisturizing and hydrating is even more important with using facial acid peels where layers are removed and the skin needs even more protection. An unspoken rule says to drink half your weight, others to go for a gallon a day, whichever you choose, stick with water only since sugary drinks and coffee tends to actually dehydrate. I always keep my Hydrapeak water bottle with me - it can contains 32 oz and I make sure to drink at least two refills each day.

Achieving glowing and healthy skin is an individual journey that requires patience and persistence. It has been an education to try and see what actually worked for my skin this past year and I hope these short steps will help you too.