My skin and winter have never gotten along. The minute the air becomes cold outside and the heat clicks on indoors, my skin turns tight, flaky, and angry. No matter how much moisturizer I slather on, my face eventually grows dry all over again, and my hands never seem to stop cracking. No amount of fancy serum, overnight cream, or Vaseline could ever keep up.
After a season of heavy makeup looks and heavy meals not to mention yo-yoing between icy winds and stuffy heated interiors your skin might look and feel flushed, dry, dull and irritated. After all, late nights, crackling fires and bottomless eggnogs add heat to anyone's cheeks especially those with rosacea or eczema, says consultant dermatologist Dr Randa Akel, making this time of year prime for flare-ups.
On BeautyTok, creators have come together to commiserate over this affliction, while also sharing tips to combat it. ICYDK, the "winter uglies" are when you no longer recognize yourself in the mirror. Maybe your eyes are tired, your skin is dry and flaky, and your hair is crispier than can be. It can make the long, frozen stretch from December to March even harder to cope with - unless you know what to do.
Here comes the obligatory "colder weather is here, which means..." intro. But seriously, the fall and winter air has officially landed, and just like you swap T-shirts for turtlenecks, your grooming routine should adapt, too. During the summer, we presented the best lightweight moisturizers to keep your skin healthy in the heat (many with SPF). Now, frigid temps call for richer, barrier-repairing formulas that do more than hydrate - the best moisturizers for winter soothe, nourish and restore, too.
For the past three years, I've been loyal to the $24 Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in the scent Sweet Candy. I can't remember experiencing chapped lips once during that time. The mask is thick but not uncomfortably heavy. Similarly, its scent is sweet but not overpowering. I typically apply it before bed so I wake up feeling like I'd just applied lip balm. That said, I also like to wear it on harsh weather days in the fall and winter months.