SNOW Skincare Essentials:

Nourishing and Protecting Your Skin

by Sohini Chandarana & Jane Osipova-Michaelson

Confused, broke and not seeing results? It’s time to ditch that 20-step skincare routine.

Let’s break down the basics and cut through all the noise. We spoke to a beauty product developer to get the inside scoop on winter skincare—so you don’t have to.

Top Ten Tips for Healthy Skin this Winter

1. Only wash your face at night - skip the morning cleanse.

Most of us have been taught to cleanse our face both morning and night. However, your skin is actually naturally protected by oils produced overnight, so your morning cleanse can strip your skin of this essential barrier. 

Stick to only washing your face at night to remove impurities, makeup, and oils from the day.

2. Use a cream cleanser and/or a cleansing balm to remove makeup.

Opt for cream-based or balm cleansers, which are gentle and effective at dissolving makeup and daily grime. These types of cleansers are also hydrating, helping prevent that stripped, dry feeling after washing. 

If you have oily skin, these types of cleansers are a great alternative to oil cleansing.

3. Avoid hyaluronic acid if you live in a dry climate with relatively low humidity.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is  a great serum to hydrate and plump skin. HA is in a category of ingredients called humectants, which pull water molecules and bind them to the skin’s surface providing hydration and plumping. However, the opposite is also true. Because HA pulls moisture from the air into your skin, when you’re in areas with low humidity, it can pull moisture from the deeper layers of your skin—leaving your skin even drier! If you use products with HA, make sure to use a great moisturizer to protect your skin.

4. Milk toners are your new best friend for dry winter skin.

As temperatures drop, your skin starts to crave hydration. Milk-based toners provide moisture and nourishment without the harshness of alcohol-based formulas. They’re gentle and perfect for rebalancing dry or dehydrated skin in the colder months.

5. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Moisturizing is essential, no matter your skin type. It helps lock in hydration and keeps your skin balanced. Look for a moisturizer that suits your skin’s needs—in winter we suggest opting for a richer moisturizer to combat dry skin.

6. Face oils: the secret to a dewy, hydrated glow.

If your skin feels particularly dry or in need of a boost, a nourishing face oil can be your best friend. It locks in moisture and provides a healthy, dewy glow—especially in colder months when your skin may need that extra layer of protection!

7. Sunscreen is a MUST!

UV rays are stronger than ever, and they don’t take a break—even on overcast days. To protect your skin from premature aging and damage, make sure to apply sunscreen every two hours, regardless of the weather. Consistent protection is key to maintaining healthy, glowing skin year-round.

8. Keep a mist spray in your bag.

Moisturizing is essential, no matter your skin type. It helps lock in hydration and keeps your skin balanced. Look for a moisturizer that suits your skin’s needs—in winter we suggest opting for a richer moisturizer to combat dry skin.

9. Keep those lips hydrated.

Chapped lips? Not cute and easy to prevent. Keep a nourishing lip balm or oil on hand and apply it regularly to protect your lips from drying out. Choose a product with hydrating ingredients like shea butter or vitamin E for long-lasting moisture.

10. Don’t forget your scalp !

Your scalp needs hydration, too. Incorporate a nourishing scalp treatment or gentle oil to keep it hydrated, especially in the winter months when the air is drier.

TERRE

&TESTED

check out the

products we love.

DIEUX Baptism

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$34

Gentle Foaming Facial Gel Cleanser with Glycerin

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From the website:

  • We use packaging that works to do better environmentally, source vegan ingredients and finally formulate to European standards for stability.

  • This is why we reevaluate packaging yearly and have partnered with Bluebird Climate to measure and benchmark our performance off harm reduction goals.

then I met yoU

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living cleansing balm

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From the website:

  • Leaping Bunny’s The Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals. 

  • Our primary packaging is largely made up of PETG plastics or glass.

DRUNK ELEPHANT

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B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum

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Business Practices:

  • Clean at Sephora

  • Packing winner using recyclable materials like polypropylene (PP) caps, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) reducers, and medium-density polyethylene (MDPE)

  • Made without: essential oil, drying alcohol, silicone, chemical sunscreen, fragrances/dyes, SLS

RHODE

Best Milk Toner:

$32

Glazing Milk

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From the website:

  • Rhode believes in the reduction of overconsumption and the inclusion of our community in the process. From our limited product releases to consciously-sourced ingredients, we are committed to mindful skincare, every step of the way.

  • A responsible approach to clean, vegan ingredients. Certified cruelty free by Leaping Bunny and PETA. Suitable for all skin types. Fragrance free. Dermatologist developed.

111skin

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$260

Repair Day Cream NAC Y² ™

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From the website:

  • The Butterfly Mark is a coveted certification awarded to brands who uphold exceptional standards of sustainability and philanthropy.

  • Accredited since 2018, 111SKIN is committed to continually operating in a way that positively impacts nature and society and this prestigious certification marks our alignment with the highest of global standards. As a Recertified recipient, we continue our journey of embedding sustainability through our operations

ELEMIS

Best Skin Oil:

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Superfood Facial Oil

climate conscious

From the website:

  • ELEMIS are skin wellness experts, committed to healthy skin and body, whilst reducing our impact on the planet. ​​We are focused on protecting and restoring BIODIVERSITY, making a more positive impact on CLIMATE and empowering our PEOPLE & COMMUNITIES for a better future.

  • We're proud to be a Certified B Corp

SUPERGOOP!

Best Sunscreen:

$38

Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50

climate conscious

From the website:

  • All of our product boxes are recyclable, made in the U.S. from 100% Post Consumer Recycled paper and printed with environmentally-friendly inks. Our shipping boxes and tape are 100% recyclable. Additionally, we’ve made it easy to recycle nearly all of our products for free through our partnership with TerraCycle. We have refill options for our bestselling PLAY pump as well as our (Re)setting Powder and (Glow)setting Powder, and we’ll continue to search for opportunities to improve our packaging.

  • All of our products are vegan, cruelty-free and developed with effective ingredients to provide individualized benefits for you and your skin.

PAI

Best Face Mist:

$59

Century Flower Lotus & Hyaluronic Acid Barrier Defence Mist

climate conscious

From the website:

  • The majority of your Pai packaging can be recycled at home

  • “Landfill and the concept of burying your rubbish out of sight (and out of mind), offends me a lot. We’ve made a lot of progress to make our packaging more sustainable, while ensuring it continues to protect your product as efficiently as possible. We’ve eliminated leaflets and introduced recycled material into over 80% of our retail tubes. We have also invested in bioplastic from sugarcane which is a renewable and sustainable source of packaging.”

Ole HenrikseN

Best Lip Moisturizer:

$22

Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment

climate conscious

From the website:

  • We are actively working toward a more sustainable future for our products & packaging and are taking the below steps: 

    - Using FSC-certified recyclable secondary cartons

    - Not using acetate windows & limiting out use of foil

    - Removing unnecessary or excess packaging from products

    - Transitioning packaging to recyclable glass jars

    - Incorporating bio-resin & post-consumer recycled materials into our packaging

BRIOGEO

Best Shampoo:

$42

Scalp Revival™ Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Scalp Scrub Shampoo

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From the website:

  • Consciously packaged 

  • FSC certified 

  • Minimal packaging 

  • PCR

  • Naturally derived ingredients