HOW TO KEEP SKIN GLOWING DURING WINTER | SKINCARE TIPS

Winter weather can definitely play havoc with your skin - icy, cold conditions (not to mention snow - eek) can cause skin to look super dry and dull. However, using the right products (along with good general health, diet etc) can help to counteract this and give you enviable glowing skin even during the winter.

EXFOLIATION IS KEY
Now, we all know about the old school scrubs that felt like rubbing sugar all over your face and left your skin feeling pretty red and irritated by the end of it - well now it's time to up your exfoliation game by incorporating acids. It's important to know what kind of acid to look out for depending on the effect you want, and your skin type (sensitive skin types should tread carefully!). Anything with Glycolic Acid (like the Pixi Glow Tonic) is the gentlest (and therefore, most popular) as it produces a mild peel effect because it doesn't penetrate very deep into the skin - so helps to get rid of dry/dead skin cells and reveal glowing skin underneath. Salicylic Acid not only exfoliates, but also helps to neutralise the bacteria that causes breakouts and reduce inflammation. This can be found in the Nip & Fab Glycolic Scrub Fix* which I'm loving as a twice weekly exfoliation after cleansing - this is not a toner and more like a sandy texture that should be washed off after massaging it into the skin. 
Something to watch out for is the % of each acid in the product - as Pixi Glow Tonic only has 5% Glycolic Acid, it is suitable for every day use, but look for anything between 2-7% depending on how sensitive your skin is. 

MOISTURE BOOST
Of course, using some good quality moisturising products during wintertime is key to keep your skin super hydrated which equals glowing skin! In October, I got the chance to try the Simple Hydrating Booster* - an innovative product that you can use alone as a lightweight serum, or drop into moisturiser for that added boost of moisture. I've been testing it out for months now so I feel I can give it a full recommendation - Simple has been a brand I've used for about 10 years now and I feel their products are always so reliable and effective yet affordable. This contains Lactic Acid which helps to promote collagen growth in the deeper layers of skin and helps to improve skin texture, along with Castor Oil which is rich in fatty acids that will smooth the skin. I use this with my Origins Night-A-Mins moisturiser* in the evenings - this is a rich moisturiser containing Vitamins C and E, to revive dull skin, and Squalane, a light, non-greasy ingredient that sinks into the skin quickly and helps to plump and hydrate the skin. I highly recommend all Origins moisturisers - I also especially love the Ginzing moisturiser for mornings (although this has been recently replaced by my Glossier one...). 
A good serum is essential too - I am currently using the Nip & Fab Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Serum*. I apply this after toner and eye cream, but before moisturiser as this helps to lock the moisture in and serum can then penetrate more deeply into the skin before moisturiser is applied (and therefore acts as a barrier). This contains Hyaluronic Acid, which helps skin to retain moisture, along with 'Dragon's Blood' which essentially helps to reduce redness/inflammation and has antioxidants that protect skin cells. Another favourite serum of mine is the Vichy Mineral 89, which I reviewed here. 

LITTLE LUXURIES
A couple of things that are definitely not essentials, but I do enjoy having them in my routine. First up is the Erno Laszlo White Marble Essence Lotion*. Erno was none other than Audrey Hepburn's facialist, so I think it goes without saying that the brand is beautiful. I use this lotion on a cotton pad after cleansing in the morning and it really helps with giving my skin a glowy finish. It contains Glycerin, which helps to attract and hold hydration, along with Daisy Extract, which helps with brightening the skin and preventing hyper pigmentation. I absolutely adore this and I'm nearly finished with my bottle - a rare occasion!
Secondly, a nice mist to use pre-makeup is a little luxury that helps to refresh my skin and give it that extra boost of hydration before applying makeup. I'm currently using the Omorovizca Queen of Hungary Mist* which is hideously expensive (although I do feel super luxe when I use it..), but places like Superdrug do their own brand mists, and I've heard good things about the £7 Mario Badescu spray so you can definitely find one to fit your budget.

GLOW GETTER - MAKEUP EXTRAS
As a little extra, I thought I'd throw in a couple of my fave glowing bases to use under makeup for that 'I woke up like this' dewy skin. I am loving the Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer*, which not only primes skin, but also leaves a gorgeous super highlighted finish to the skin. I do find this quite intense so I'd definitely use foundation over this, but if you want a 'no makeup makeup' go-to, I'd highly recommend MAC Strobe Cream. When I worked at MAC, it was without a doubt one of our most popular products and this gorgeous skincare-makeup hybrid will leave skin smoothed, hydrated and give you a 'lit from within' glow - perfection!

I hope you've enjoyed this post, and found it helpful! Let me know your tips in the comments.