Every year for the last two years my New Years Resolutions have included the ever fearful sentence ‘MAINTAIN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE’. I have weeks where I glow daily and am dealt compliments only to be followed by days filled with spots and dry skin. This year, thus far, it is going well (let’s not jinx it quite yet) and so I am riding in on my high horse to give you all the tips that I have learnt and sometimes follow. The winter months have the worst effect upon your skin and my hard-learnt pointers will help you to protect your gorgeous skin from the brusque cold air. Let us begin in order.

Cleanser

Cleansing is a truly underrated and important skincare step. It removes all the invisible dirt from your skin that makes you more susceptible to breaking out and it gives you that fresh-faced feeling that just can’t be replaced. My personal go-to is Cerave’s Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser. It’s cheap, it’s super creamy, and it does the job well. Make sure you wash gently for 30 seconds and you’ll be left with the feeling that you are not only clean but you are as soft as a baby’s bum.

Toner

For the many that do not understand the purpose of toner much like they do not understand the purpose of cleansing, allow me to enlighten you. Toning sweeps away any impurities that are left on your skin, particularly the remnants of sun cream, and tightens your pores to prevent the absorption of dirt throughout the day. For two years, I’ve been trapped in a beautiful love affair with Pixi’s Glow Tonic that I don’t believe will ever end. One sweep of Pixi on my washable cotton pad and I can feel the glow.

Serum

My pick: Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C Face Serum

Eye Cream

My pick: Bad Habit Eyes Open Caffeine and Peptide Eye Cream

Moisturiser

Winter calls for a thick ass moisturiser. The cold and constantly changing weather means that your skin needs extra nourishment to prevent dry and flaky skin. For me, The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + HA does this and more. It’s the kind of moisturiser that you can FEEL on your skin. As it sinks in, you get that gorgeous effect of feeling nourished and protected which is the minimum that I believe skincare should provide. Plus, it’s super good value for what it is so run to it. Now.

SPF

Sun cream? In winter? Why? I’ll tell you why. Sunscreen protects your skin not just from visible rays of sunlight but also against UVA rays, UVB rays, IRA, and blue-light, which can damage and age your skin. A slightly costly but effective choice is Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. It is invisible and non-greasy, which is truly all I look for in a sun cream. If you wonder how the likes of Meryl Streep look so good, I’d consider sunscreen every day- even in the rain.

Face Mask

My pick: Dr Jart sheet masks

Lip Care

Until the day I die, I will tell every living human about the joys of Too Faced’s Pillow Balm. It is so underrated that it makes me want to scream in frustration because I can go to sleep wearing it and wake up with a thick ass layer of lip balm still there. Whilst the price of £18 is intense for what Carmex can almost do, this thick boy is worthwhile for the cold months that our precious lips are privy to. Plus if you are living life right then you will wait until there’s a discount code available- it’s worth it.

Image courtesy of Michela Ampolo