essentials: winter skin

I was definitely naive when it came to thinking about what the drastic change in zip code would do to my skin. when I left boston and headed to la with 0% humidity and horrible water, my skin seriously felt it (dry & irritated scalp, patchy skin, and mini bumps + breakouts). coming back at peak skin freak out time and into full-on frigid temps, my skin is definitely feeling it again. my friend (and skin god send) cheryl ferrari of face facts healing spa fit me for a mini appointment a few weeks ago and hallelujah 🙏🏼 my skin is on a whole different level. i've blogged about my finicky sensitive skin before (check it out here and here), and always seem to air on the side of 'less is more' when it comes to moisture and products. cheryl set me straight, and sent me home with knowledge & samples to help survive winter.

when it comes to skincare, first and foremost, is staying hydrated. we all know how important water is, and that our skin is the largest organ and functions best with the help of water, but the majority of us aren't drinking enough. with the #newyearnewme mentality that's going strong this time of year, make it a priority to up your water intake; you'll see the benefits everywhere! my biggest pet peeve when it comes to drinking water is keeping it cold- I like my water so cold it take your breath away (never enough ice cubes). my s'well water bottle has been a game changer for keeping my water frigid for a full day (I have the 25oz large size, so I make it my goal to drink 4 full bottles throughout the day).

dry brushing is another piece of my skincare routine that I'm pledging to incorporate more in 2017. there are plenty of tutorials on youtube (check out this cheryl recommended video that also educates on the importance of lymph health), but the jist is long slow strokes on dry skin from your wrists to shoulders (don't skip your armpit), feet to hips, belly, and all connecting at your heart. this will help with dry skin, skin cell rejuvenation, and help pump blood throughout your body. my favorite is to dry brush right before a shower, then follow with a dry oil to lock in the moisture- love this one from nuxe paris (and I love the shimmer version in the summer for a little somethin' somethin' on your décolletage and shoulders). 

masking was another piece of the skincare puzzle that cheryl was stressing. too many people skip this crucial step, but it's so important for maintaining moisture and is the best workout for good skin. my favorite for general skin up-keep is the white clay mask from the phyto 5 skincare line that cheryl imports from switzerland, uses, and loves.

after cleansing/masking, it's so important to put that moisture back into your skin helping to stay nice and plump (the best way to combat wrinkles & fine lines!) using a great moisturizer. from the same phyto 5 line, I love the wheat day cream and the water night cream. the day cream is light and perfect for sinking into my skin while I get ready in the morning, while the night cream is a bit thicker and provides the right amount of richness to sink in while you're sleeping. both are working great with my sensitive skin, and fingers crossed it stays that way. I also add a couple spritz' of evian facial spray before applying the moisturizer (day or night) to up the moisture a bit- this is a staple in my skincare routine/life regardless of the season (always in my summer pool/beach bag).

and last but not least, lip care. as a regular lip chewer (#candidconfessions), I always have some sort of lip balm in my bag/coat pockets. it wasn't until I tried this ultra-nourishing lip balm from nuxe paris that I saw a true difference in the condition of my lips. the little glass pot is my favorite for before bed application since it's super thick (and almost gritty texture) really grips to your lips to keep them plump and hydrated all night. the stick version is what I keep in my bag for during the day application (I can't stand sticking my finger in a pot when I'm out and about), but the texture/formula is completely different than the other version (much thinner/glossier/without the grittiness).

have you tried any of these products to combat the dreaded dragon skin of winter?

hope everyone's holidays and new year were great, and you're feeling strong/happy/healthy coming into 2017!

xx, marissa