Curating and staying consistent with your skincare routine is important, especially in the winter season. With the snowflakes, cool breeze and changing leaves bring drier skin.
“In the winter, the humidity in the air decreases,” said dermatologist Dr. Rose Ingleton. “Compounded with the cold and the wind, all these things dry your skin out. You have to do extra work to keep your skin from drying out.”
If you were looking for a sign on when to update your skincare regimen to brave the winter weather, then this is it.
What Should Your Winter Skincare Routine Be?
In the winter, your skincare routine should focus on hydrating, moisturizing and protecting your skin. In essence, your winter skincare products should get ahead of the harsh effects winter weather leaves on your skin. According to Ingleton, you should look for ingredients including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glycerin and ceramides in your skincare products for the colder weather.
- Best Gentle Cleanser: Rose Ingleton MD SuperFruit Gentle Brightening Cleanser
- Best Serum For Hyperpigmentation: Rose Ingleton MD FutureBright Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum
- Best Thick Moisturizer: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
- Best Budget Serum: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
- Best Lightweight Moisturizer: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Moisturizer
- Best 2-In-1 Serum: Ilia The Base Face Milk Essence
- Best Hydrating Sunscreen: Supergoop! Superscreen Rich Hydrating Cream SPF 40 Moisturizer
- Best Winter-Coded Toner: Rose Ingleton MD Superfruit Exfoliating Tonic
Best Gentle Cleanser
Ingleton recommends picking up a gentle cleanser for your winter skincare routine that isn’t stripping. One, the Rose Ingleton MD SuperFruit Gentle Brightening Cleanser is from her own brand, available at Sephora.
“Typically, gel cleansers tend to be more astringent,” Ingleton said. “Yet mine have ingredients that leave your skin hydrated.”
Her cleanser also features Jamaican superfruit to gently exfoliate your skin and Vitamin B5 to support your skin’s barrier.
Best Serum For Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is one of the biggest skincare concerns in the Black community, especially in the winter. To combat stubborn dark marks, Ingleton created the Rose Ingleton MD FutureBright Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum.
Best Thick Moisturizer
If you’re looking for an affordable moisturizer, then Ingleton suggests the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer. It’s marketed as safe for all skin types and it includes moisturizing ingredients like niacinamide. This moisturizer is also oil-free, fragrance free, and under $25.
“It’s good for everybody in the winter when you need that little extra bit of moisture,” Ingleton said.
Best Budget Serum
According to Ingleton, those looking for affordable and effective skincare should try The Ordinary, specifically the brands Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum. With five forms of hyaluronic acid, this serum hydrates and plumps your skin.
“Sometimes in the winter, you need even more than what moisturizers provide,” she said. “You can layer a hydrating serum underneath your moisturizer to get two levels of moisture.”
Best Lightweight Moisturizer
Depending on your skin type, some moisturizers may be too thick. Ingleton directs the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Moisturizer to her patients. This moisturizer is a water gel formula, so it’s hydrating without feeling too heavy.
“It’s really lightweight for people who don’t like the feel of a heavy moisturizer, but need nourishment,” she said.
Best 2-In-1 Serum
Ilia’s The Base Face Milk Essence is an essence-moisturizer hybrid. It’s basically a mix of a serum and moisturizer, featuring microalgae and lipids.
“It’s very silky and hydrating when you put it on the skin. So it doesn’t add an extra layer of heaviness,” Ingleton said.
Best Hydrating Sunscreen
It’s a misconception that Black people don’t need sunscreen. An even bigger myth is you don’t need sunscreen in the winter.
“When you go out, especially if it snows, the amount of reflective sun you get on your face is crazy. People literally get sunburned when they go skiing,” Ingleton said.
Her suggestion is the Supergoop! Superscreen Rich Hydrating Cream SPF 40 Moisturizer, which is a ceramide-packed sunscreen that doubles as a moisturizer.
Best Winter-Coded Toner
When splurging on luxe skincare products, consider supporting a Black-owned business. Ingleton’s line offers the Rose Ingleton MD Superfruit Exfoliating Tonic. This toner features fruit acids and glycolic acid which help rid your skin of dead cells.
“Most of the time, when you use a toner, your skin is dried out afterwards,” she said. “With this one, it clearly feels like you’re putting on a toner, but it doesn’t leave your skin dry.”
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