Skincare is Essential to your Self Care — How to Glow this Winter Season

Dry, flaky skin and oil buildup under your patterned mask—this is the world we live in right now. It’s weird and uncomfortable, but with so much time to yourself, why not try to work with your skin instead of against it? Instead of attacking your skin—face, legs, or body—with abrasive scrubs, focus on what your skin really needs this winter season. I’ve tried a few new skincare products in the last few months, and with a combination of oily skin and dry patchy cheeks, I’ve found some that can work for everybody! Especially now that holiday shopping is finally done, it’s time to gift yourself—how to make your skin glow in the middle of winter:

HERE’S SOMETHING EVERYONE CAN USE—THE GLOSSIER MILKY JELLY CLEANSER ($18)

This cleanser can be used on dry skin to remove makeup, or wet skin to work into a lather. From personal experience, this cleanser is definitely meant for someone who struggles with sensitive or reactive skin. With calming ingredients such as rose water and aquaxyl, the Milky Jelly Cleanser is suitable for someone that needs an extra layer of protection between the outside world and their personal hydration barrier.

What’s so awesome about this product is that it can be used as a makeup remover as well as a classic cleanser. In my personal experience, there is no residue after the cleanser is washed off, and my skin doesn’t have that tight, stripped feeling. At $18, I would say this product is well worth your time and money. So, go ahead and give it a try!

HERE’S SOMETHING FOR DRY SKIN (EVEN ECZEMA!)—THE FIRST AID BEAUTY ULTRA REPAIR CREAM ($34)

This moisturizer is one of my absolute go-to’s. It’s hydrating, thick, and extremely versatile (I use it on my dry patches as well as my legs after I shave)! Formulated with shea butter and colloidal oatmeal—an emollient filled with healthy fats and proteins necessary to hydrate skin—this moisturizer is thick yet spreadable, and there’s no oily residue left behind.

I’ve got what’s called reactive skin, which means something as small as water pH makes my face dry and red. This moisturizer is able to help balance the oiliness of my t-zone as well as the dryness in my cheeks. I know that $34 seems like a lot of money to drop on a moisturizer, but nothing quite compares to the quality of this product. As well as it being fragrance-free, the versatility is astonishing—how many moisturizers can you safely use on your face as well as your body? The answer is: not many.

HERE’S SOMETHING FOR THOSE W/ STUBBORN PIMPLES—THE ORDINARY SALICYLIC ACID 2% MASQUE ($12)

For those of us who suffer from acne—even though it’s the middle of winter—this salicylic acid mask is the perfect way to clear skin up. Salicylic acid is one of the best-known beta hydroxy acids, and it works by exfoliating dead skin cells from the surface of your skin while decreasing overall redness. It’s a strong acid and should only be used around twice a week for about 10 minutes to avoid any injuries or potential skin sensitivity.

When dealing with acne, it’s hard to remember the need for moisturized skin. After using this salicylic acid treatment, I want you to remember your moisturizer! When your skin is overly stripped by something such as a mask, and you don’t automatically lather a moisturizer on top, your skin overproduces oil to keep itself somewhat hydrated, which in turn clogs your pores more.

The best thing about this product is the price. The Ordinary is known for their high quality, low price products that actually work. For $12 you can try out a product that could possibly change the skincare game forever!

These last few months have been crazy to say the least, but just because you’re stuck inside this winter doesn’t mean you have to let your skin stay dull. No matter your skin type—dry, oily, or combination—there are tons of products that can help you achieve a glowing complexion. Use these next few weeks to treat yourself and your skin, and don’t feel guilty for focusing on your own selfcare! No one is more important to you than yourself, and don’t you forget it.

KEEGAN’S QUICK TIP: FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WASTE MONEY ON THOSE HYDROCOLLOID PATCH COMPANIES SUCH AS MIGHTY PATCH OR STARFACE, BUY A PACK OF GENERIC BRAND HYDROCOLLOID BANDAGES AT YOUR LOCAL CONVENIENCE STORE FOR A FRACTION OF THE PRICE AND THE EXACT SAME BENEFITS!

Strike Out,

Writer: Keegan Myers

Editor: Alexis Reis and Danielle Cuestas

Tampa