Dry Spell

With the dry winter air attacking your skin, here’s how to update your skincare routine for the season…
 
By Ashley Kowalewski-Pizzi
Brought to you by Rexall
 
While there are lots of reasons to love this season – the TV and movie offerings, winter sports – it can take a toll on your skin, leaving it feeling dry, cracked and incredibly uncomfortable. This is the season where your skincare routine becomes non-negotiable, if only to offer a smidge of protection against the harsh winds and cold, dry air.
 
While we could all have complicated 10-step skincare routines that make it look like we’ve aged in reverse, there are a few key steps that we can’t live without. To help you get started, here are four ways to winterize your skincare routine. The best part? All of these products are budget-friendly and drugstore accessible (our go-to skincare spot is Rexall).
 
Treat your skin right
Regularly exfoliating your skin is an important step, but it is often either skipped or overused – seldom done using the right amount. Exfoliate too much and you’re actually doing your skin a disservice, but not enough and you leave behind dead cells that leave your skin looking dull and dry. When it comes to treatments, exfoliants and masks aren’t one-size-fits-all; they should be adapted to suit your skin type and lifestyle. Short on time? Use a weekly clarifying and exfoliating mask for a two-in-one treatment like the Garnier SkinActive Charcoal Ultra 3-in-1 Cleanser. Not a fan of the mask, or find the physical exfoliant a bit too harsh? For a more low-key exfoliation, use a chemical exfoliant like a toner containing AHA or BHA that gently sloughs off dead and dry skin cells.
 
Double down on moisture
Between the blustery freezing winds outside and the skin-parching heat blasting inside, your skin is going to need some extra TLC when it comes to hydration. Even if you’re diligent with your water intake (we applaud you), dry winter skin is no joke and needs constant attention.
 
Layer a hydration booster like Vichy Mineral 89 underneath your daily moisturizer and then switch to something heavier for overnight, like a sleep mask such as Vichy Aqualia Thermal Night Spa, or an oil such as the never-fail Bio-Oil. Rub some excess products on your hands to prevent over-drying and chapping.
 
Stay sun-safe
With the long dark days of winter, you might think now is the time to skip the sunscreen step in your routine, but it’s quite the opposite. SPF is non-negotiable no matter what the season. But the good news is that layering a sunscreen over your seasonal day cream can be a quick way to get an extra dose of much-needed hydration while also keeping your skin protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Want to skip a step? Look for a moisturizer that has SPF in it, like the Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture with SPF 30.
 
Brighten your complexion
Hydration will do wonders for making your skin look more radiant, but the magic ingredient to a truly bright complexion is vitamin C. This potent antioxidant boosts your skin cells’ regeneration, keeping skin looking bright and fresh. Try the Be Better Age Defying Vitamin C Serum (available exclusively at Rexall), which also has hyaluronic acid to help your skin lock in that moisture it so badly needs during the cold winter months.
 
—
 
ASHLEY KOWALEWSKI-PIZZI is a Toronto-based writer and editor who has more pink lipsticks, neon Post-its and daily cups of coffee than the average human. When she’s not testing out beauty products, you can find her hanging around the city with her pup Odie. Follow her at @ashkowapizzi.