We've all been there: dry, peeling skin that no amount of foundation can conceal, a nose so red it hurts, and a dull complexion that has concerned friends asking if you've gotten enough sleep (yes, thank you). It's winter, which means your skin has likely experienced one, or two, or all of the above.
So, to help you expertly navigate whatever may come your skin's way this season, we partnered with Heritage Store and tapped three influencers — Tonya Smith, Aja Dang, and Aysha Sow — to name their biggest (read: highly relatable) winter skin woes and the products they swear by to combat them. Read on to discover how they edit their beauty regimens once the temperatures drop, their #1 skin-care advice, and their three all-time-favorite winter products.
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Tonya Smith
"I definitely notice a lot more dryness with my skin, including dry patches and redness due to runny nose and cold weather, so I double up on moisturizers, hydrating serums, and soothing products before bed.
"My skin is fairly sensitive, and I've noticed that it tends to look and feel better when I choose natural products. Cruelty-free is another thing I try to keep in mind, as well!"
Tonya's top skin-care tip: "Don't be afraid to moisturize! I have oily and acne-prone skin, so I used to think that oils, serums, and moisturizers would make me break out, but that's not the case."
"I definitely notice a lot more dryness with my skin, including dry patches and redness due to runny nose and cold weather, so I double up on moisturizers, hydrating serums, and soothing products before bed.
"My skin is fairly sensitive, and I've noticed that it tends to look and feel better when I choose natural products. Cruelty-free is another thing I try to keep in mind, as well!"
Tonya's top skin-care tip: "Don't be afraid to moisturize! I have oily and acne-prone skin, so I used to think that oils, serums, and moisturizers would make me break out, but that's not the case."
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Tonya's Go-To Winter Products
"There's not a day that I don't use a toner after washing my face. I am always so surprised at how much extra dirt and makeup it removes. I love this one because not only does it balance my skin, but it hydrates, thanks to rosewater and hyaluronic acid ingredients."
Heritage Store Rosewater Facial Toner, $, available at Ulta Beauty
"There's not a day that I don't use a toner after washing my face. I am always so surprised at how much extra dirt and makeup it removes. I love this one because not only does it balance my skin, but it hydrates, thanks to rosewater and hyaluronic acid ingredients."
Heritage Store Rosewater Facial Toner, $, available at Ulta Beauty
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"This is the face wash that I use every day. I started using it this summer and haven't looked back. It's so refreshing and gentle on my skin."
Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream, $, available at Burt's Bees®
Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream, $, available at Burt's Bees®
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"This has worked wonders for acne and scarring. It's a great way to add moisture, too, if you're worried about breaking out."
Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil, $, available at Sephora
Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil, $, available at Sephora
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Aja Dang
"My skin-care routine always focuses on hydration, but during the winter months, I add more layers to my routine — heavier oils, thicker creams, and chemical exfoliants — to protect my skin from dropping temperatures.
"The biggest issue I have during the winter is buildup. Not only will my skin become more dry, but that also leads to buildup of dead cells on the surface, causing my skin to look dull. To combat this, I exfoliate one to two times a week depending on how my skin is feeling. If it's sensitive and dry, I'll use a soothing, moisturizing mask with chemical exfoliants (like alpha and beta hydroxy acids); if it feels hydrated, I'll use a manual exfoliant with vitamin C."
Aja's top skin-care tip: "Pay attention to what type of ingredients you want in your skin-care products as you transition your routine from summer to winter. Changing to thicker creams might work for some, but it also might clog pores for others, so concentrating on ingredients like hyaluronic acid and chemical exfoliants will help your skin stay hydrated and clean without drying it out."
"My skin-care routine always focuses on hydration, but during the winter months, I add more layers to my routine — heavier oils, thicker creams, and chemical exfoliants — to protect my skin from dropping temperatures.
"The biggest issue I have during the winter is buildup. Not only will my skin become more dry, but that also leads to buildup of dead cells on the surface, causing my skin to look dull. To combat this, I exfoliate one to two times a week depending on how my skin is feeling. If it's sensitive and dry, I'll use a soothing, moisturizing mask with chemical exfoliants (like alpha and beta hydroxy acids); if it feels hydrated, I'll use a manual exfoliant with vitamin C."
Aja's top skin-care tip: "Pay attention to what type of ingredients you want in your skin-care products as you transition your routine from summer to winter. Changing to thicker creams might work for some, but it also might clog pores for others, so concentrating on ingredients like hyaluronic acid and chemical exfoliants will help your skin stay hydrated and clean without drying it out."
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Aja's Go-To Winter Products
"I use this spray right after I wash my face and throughout the day to set my makeup and to give my complexion a boost. Because this spray has glycerin, it helps my skin retain moisture and improves its texture."
Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin Spray, $, available at Urban Outfitters
"I use this spray right after I wash my face and throughout the day to set my makeup and to give my complexion a boost. Because this spray has glycerin, it helps my skin retain moisture and improves its texture."
Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin Spray, $, available at Urban Outfitters
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"Exfoliating is really important to prevent buildup during the winter, but sometimes scrubs are too harsh on my skin, so I'll use a mask formulated with chemical exfoliants to help my skin retain moisture and give me smoother texture at the same time."
Peach and Lily Super Reboot Resurfacing Mask, $, available at Peach and Lily
Peach and Lily Super Reboot Resurfacing Mask, $, available at Peach and Lily
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"My lips are the first to experience the effects of winter. They get dry and chapped quickly, so I use a balm with moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid to plump and protect them."
Biossance Squalane + Rose Vegan Lip Balm, $, available at Biossance
Biossance Squalane + Rose Vegan Lip Balm, $, available at Biossance
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Aysha Sow
"During the winter, I reach for anything that will give my skin extra moisture (my T-zone especially gets very dry). That usually means switching from water-based formulas to oil-based ones, hydrating masks, and products that are heavy and thick in moisture and texture. And I stay away from products that strip my skin."
Aysha's top skin-care tip: "Hydrate and double up on moisturizers and masks. Also, don’t forget to apply sunscreen!"
"During the winter, I reach for anything that will give my skin extra moisture (my T-zone especially gets very dry). That usually means switching from water-based formulas to oil-based ones, hydrating masks, and products that are heavy and thick in moisture and texture. And I stay away from products that strip my skin."
Aysha's top skin-care tip: "Hydrate and double up on moisturizers and masks. Also, don’t forget to apply sunscreen!"
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Aysha's Go-To Winter Products
"I love the feel of my skin after using the rosewater spray by Heritage Store. I always use rosewater to set my makeup, and this one specifically adds moisture to my skin as well."
Heritage Store Rosewater Spray, $, available at Ulta Beauty
"I love the feel of my skin after using the rosewater spray by Heritage Store. I always use rosewater to set my makeup, and this one specifically adds moisture to my skin as well."
Heritage Store Rosewater Spray, $, available at Ulta Beauty
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"This has to be the best cleanser ever: It gets rid of all your makeup and leaves your skin feeling moisturized and soft."
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, $, available at Fresh
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, $, available at Fresh
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"I don’t like a 10-step nighttime routine. I would rather limit my regimen to two (three max) products that are effective, and this night serum is one that I swear by."
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Serum, $, available at Olay
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Serum, $, available at Olay
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