If you know me, you know my face is drier than the Phoenix desert. And I am NOTORIOUS for buying and trying the latest, most talked-about beauty products that promise the best. Regardless of where you live, winter can really dry out your skin! So I’ve been experimenting with a lot of skincare products over the winter and wanted to share my faves with you guys that will give you fresh glowing skin for spring. Cause I’m nice like that you know?
Here’s what I’ve loved.
Products with Hyaluronic Acid:
Hyaluronic acid is the MVP of skincare this year. All these big companies are throwing this sucker in their products lately. It holds up to 1000x its weight in water, improving the skin’s hydration, smoothing wrinkles, and tightening the complexion. Like I said there’s toooons of products out there with hyaluronic acid in them. Here’s a couple of one’s I’ve tried and love.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Serum
I’ve written about this stuff before. I love the entire line of Water Drench by Peter Thomas Roth. It’s amazing. The serum is a high concentration of hyaluronic acid to use before moisturizer. Their moisturizer is incredible too and I’ve used it for years. Great for sensitive skin. And for whatever reason, amazon sells this stuff much cheaper than my main bitch Sephora, so I’ll link the serum and a set for an awesome deal below!
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum
Okay Sephora I was JKing earlier when I called you a bitch, because you have a killer deal on this hyaluronic acid serum that I LOVE. I just tried this for the first time this week and it’s been great. If you have super dry skin like me, I would recommend only using this before you go to bed though. When I put it on, it literally flaked off all my dead skin (uh, gross). So I can’t see this one doing too well under makeup when first beginning use. Regardless, I do love it for nighttime and its cheap. Buy it online here.
Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum
OMGGG this primer is so annoying cause it’s so amazing but so expensive and I also don’t care cause I’m just going to keep buying it over and over again. It’s a silky oil primer that is super hydrating, protects the skin barrier, and shrinks pores. The 28 in the name represents the 28 power ingredients in this primer. That list includes… 14 essential oils (lavender, geranium, rose geranium, vanilla, clove, orange peel, amyris, lemon peel, petitgrain, eucalyptus, rosemary leaf, bois de rose, cedar leaf, ylang ylang), 10 lipid-rich plant oils (jojoba, rose hips seed, evening primrose, hazelnut, borage seed, kukui nut, sweet almond, green tea, olive, and cherry pit), and four vitamins (A, B5, C, and E). This oil has a light scent to it, like rose petals, but it’s from the natural oils. Can’t express how much I love this stuff. The full size primer bottle is pricey, so they also have a trial size if you’re not ready to take the plunge. Both available on the link below!
Drunk Elephant Products
Ah yes, the Instagram blogger fan-fave right here. And for good reason. First off, I’m a fan of the name wherever they came up with that. Second, their products are in the cutest packaging, so that means they have to work right..? But third and more importantly, their products are bomb. And majority of those products come in trial sizes so you can buy them and try them before you fully commit. Cause these products ain’t cheap either. I’ve tried the majority of their skincare line, but I’ll just mention the products that I’ve noticed have worked well for my skin.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
Currently typing with this stuff on my face. I’m too cheap to treat myself to a real microderm so this is how I make due. This is an exfoliating masque I use once per week to resurface my skin and remove dead skin cells. Half of the care involving dry skin is not just caking it with moisturizer, but making sure you have a healthy outer layer to absorb the products you’re putting on. If you don’t exfoliate your skin often, the expensive products you’re putting on are just sitting on top of a dead skin cell layer. No thank you. So – exfoliation is super important to get the maximum benefit from the products you’re using. A little goes a long way with this stuff, so I feel like it’s worth the price tag – way cheaper than a monthly facial (that I wish I had time/money for).
I’m going to link two trial sized combos that I’ve purchased, that I think are at a great price. I’m loving these products so far. There’s a day and night combo. So I’ve just been reversing those with my nightshift life lolz. The morning skin care set comes with a hyaluronic acid serum (see, that shit is everywhere) and a vitamin C serum to brighten and tighten skin. I use a pump of each at night before I go to work. And then their night-time combo includes their Marula facial oil and night serum. Both of these products are close to $100 each individually full sized, so it’s been super nice to try them out without breaking the bank. Here they are:
I buy everything off amazon prime in case you haven’t caught onto that yet. I have no patience to wait a week for my shit and also pay shipping like, no? This is 2019 we’re talking about.
Continuing on…
Lip Remedies
Along with my super dry skin comes super dry lips right. This lip masque by Laneige is oh-so-nice to put on before bed. This celeb-favorite lip masque smells sweet and rosy, and my lips look so much more healthy and plump after wearing it overnight. It’s so pretty I even throw a little bit on my lips during the day to keep them hydrated.
Jour Cosmetics Essential Lip Enhancer Balm
This guy stays in my scrub pockets at work. Love this lip balm! Over time it’s supposed to help plump and smooth your lips. It’s got vitamin E, Shea butter, and jojoba seed butter to soften and hydrate. You can find this one at Sephora here.
Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm
Oh shocker another Drunk Elephant product. I swear this is the last one though. This is another lip balm that I take with me to work. Cause we all know how drying the hospital can be. I swear the second I walk in there my lips start to shrivel up. But with this lip balm I’m in the clear. I love how this is a twist up balm but is a lot wider than regular chapstick. That way I can make sure all my lips are covered in one swipe – you feel me? Who has time for two swipes of chapstick in the ICU, honestly. This balm is made with avocado and Marula oils to hydrate and protect. It also includes various peptides and sea fern algae that restore collagen and add more definition to the natural lip line. Helloooo nicer pout? You need.
So speaking of collagen..
It seems to be all the hype lately.
Why you ask? Collagen is a protein found in the body. It plays a major role in hydration and elasticity. As you age, the body produces less collagen thus – skin begins to get drier and wrinkles begin to form. Studies have shown that by taking oral collagen in a variety of ways helps to slow this aging process. (As a side note, collagen also plays a big part of cartilage structure. If you have arthritis like me, collagen supplements have been proven to reduce joint pain). YAY.
Collagen Powders
There are sooo many collagen powder products out there. Honestly they all do the same thing so find one that’s within your price point and give it a try. There’s unflavored powders that you can mix in flavored drinks, tea, even your morning coffee. And there’s also flavored powders out there too. This one I’m linking is about half the price as the viral Vital Proteins powder. Make sure you mix whatever collagen powder you buy in room temperature liquid, unless it likes to clump up and it’s not so good. If powders are too time-consuming for you (I feel ya, I just want to take my supplement and go), then they have great collagen pills for the daily as well that I’ve tried!
Lastly, dry skin totally depends on how hydrated you are internally. If you’re not drinking enough water, your skin is gonna show that. SO DRINK MORE WATER.
That’s all for now. If you’ve made it to this point, thank you so much for reading! I’ve slacked bad this year in regards to my beauty-related posts, so I’m going to try to have more of those coming your way. If you liked what you read, I have a whole amazon store with not only my skincare favorites, but ALL my favorite amazon buys! From nursing supplies and books, to what’s in my pantry, to home decor. If you’re interested, the link is right HERE. Love you guys!!!
