Winter Routine for Dry Skin

Before I discovered Posh, I suffered through midwest winters with red, dry, and flaking skin. I didn't know any better and just assumed that was just what winter skin was all about. I started using a few Posh products in late 2015, and by the time I joined in February, I was already impressed with BFF and how much better it was than the scrub I had been using previously. The other products we had back then were good, but there wasn't as much education on them as there is for the products we have now! Looking back, I probably wasn't using the right moisturizer for my skin type, but my skin was still looking better than it had before!

The next 2 winters, I had my beloved Calling All Fairies face mask. Every time my dry skin got unmanageable, I would throw this on and it would be so much better, thanks to the high amount of glycolic acid. It was especially useful for my hairline and eyebrows, where my BFF exfoliator wasn't as effective. But, I always felt like I was playing catch up, and could never stay on top of my dryness. Still, I was happy, because my skin was SO MUCH BETTER than the last 10 years or so before that!

Let's fast forward to this winter, though. Even though I've been loving on the Defiant Uplifting eye creme since it was released just about a year ago, I actually didn't try out the face creme until this past December when there was super deal on the whole Defiant bundle. Then came the early release of Right Back At Ya - I got that right before New Year's. I have to admit, it wasn't love at first. Shortly after its release, our founder posted a video about how the whole office would fight over the prototypes and really talked it up. That prompted me to give it another shot, and I'm really glad I did! Finally, the last piece of the puzzle is Well Adjusted, our new toner. I didn't get that until about 3 weeks ago. That's another one that wasn't love at first use. Once again, a video from our founder made me give it a second shot and now I am absolutely obsessed with it!

Without further adieu, let me show you what my daily routine has been for the last 3 weeks!

The first product I start with in the mornings is Right Back At Ya. I use about 3 pea-sized dollops and that is plenty. This 2-in-1 cleanser can also be used as a face mask. I love it because it's clay based, which makes the lather super creamy! The clay is also really great for cleaning out pores and removing any makeup residue. It contains sulfur to help decongest pores, plus salicylic and lactic acids to help break down dead skin cells. Matcha green tea and kale are also included, and they add lots of antioxidants to improve the appearance of skin. Right Back At Ya is part of our Well-Balanced line, and it works very effectively for both dry and oily skin. [At night time, I usually double cleanse if I've been wearing makeup. I prefer the oil cleansing method, and unfortunately Posh doesn't have an oil cleanser available right now...I have some that I'm hoarding though! A nice alternative that I have used before is Julep's Love Your Bare Face oil cleanser. You can also use our Bare it All micellar tonic or any other makeup remover you prefer. After I've removed my makeup, I start this routine with Right Back At Ya.]

The next step in my routine is my very favorite product right now, Well Adjusted. I use 3-4 drops of this, and as it's a thicker liquid, that is plenty. The instructions say to use this like most other toners, on a cotton round. That method really underwhelmed me. Then, I saw an Instagram video where our founder was using it more like a serum - directly on her face. I gave it another try and it is LOVE. So, I put those 3-4 drops directly in my palms, and rub them together. I then gently pat the product onto my face for even coverage, and glide to ensure even application. I let it dry for about 30 seconds, and I'm ready to move on. Well Adjusted's star ingredient is the glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is the smallest of the alpha-hydroxy acids, so it permeates skin the most easily. It reacts with the top layer of skin to dissolve sebum and other substances that bind cells together. It's suitable for even sensitive skin. Another great component of this toner is that it's alcohol free. Instead of being astringent, it's actually moisturizing thanks to the beta-glucan! I think that is why this toner actually works better as a serum to me.

Next, is the Defiant Uplifting Eye Crème. This is another product that is suitable for all skin types! As you can see in the photo, I only use the tiniest amount of this - about the size of a grain of rice - to do both eyes. I use my ring fingers to gently tap the product under my eyes. I find that if you use more than that, it can feel a little heavier/greasier than I would like. Definitely experiment with the right amount for you, but remember that a little goes a long way! Uplifting instantly improves the appearance of skin around the eyes thanks to the firming properties of the caffeine and the blurring effect of the pearl powder. Long term, a patented mix of tripeptides and algae extract work together to help with deeper wrinkles and dark circles.

I finish everything off with Defiant Gimme a Boost for dry skin. I just dip a finger in the tub and eyeball this one - once again, a little goes a long way! I love the scent of this moisturizer; it's light, but very fresh and citrusy. It has some of the same ingredients as the eye creme, like sodium hyaluronate and the tripeptides. Another ingredient they have in common is Moringa Oil, which is very efficacious and has lots of skin benefits:

And there you have it! A 5 minute, 4 product morning routine to combat dry winter skin. If you would like me to help you create your own customized daily routine, make sure you head over to my contact form here so I can reach out!

[Side note - I live in one of the greyest cities in the US. I am, admittedly, not great about sunscreen in winter even though I know I should be using it daily regardless. If I know I will be outside for more than my 8-minute drive to/from work, I will put on Block it Like it's Hot before I apply Gimme a Boost. This broad-spectrum, SPF 30 facial sunscreen is great because it's not greasy...honestly, it feels more like a moisturizer than a sunscreen!]