Annie's Winter Skincare Essentials
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Annie's Winter Skincare Essentials

01.20.2015    |    
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If your bathroom counter is anything like mine, it may look like a beauty bomb went off, with half-used products scattered everywhere. In 2015, vow to organize your skincare situation and find a routine that works for you. Everyone deals with different issues when it comes to their skin, so not one single product is right for everyone. That being said, I do believe that there is a certain formula and specific order when it comes to successful skincare routines. On the green front, I keep my skincare as all natural and non-toxic as humanly possibly, and especially when it comes to the body (because our skin is our largest organ), but sometimes, I’ll bend my own rules for something that I really love. I thought that I would share my own going green routine (since I constantly have people asking me what I really use), so that you might be inspired and form a routine of your own. SKIN. IS. IN. and these are my winter skincare essentials.

Wash your face: I usually switch it up when it comes to my face wash. But above all, this is the first step in the skincare process. Sometimes if I’m feeling like I need a really good cleansing, or after a night out and a face full of foundation or eye makeup, I’ll double cleanse, using first an oil based cleanser, like Tatcha Camallia Cleansing Oil, followed by Tata Harper Gently Exfoliating Regenerating Cleanser with tiny beads to get rid of dirt, etc. In morning, when I wake up with clean skin, I’ll use something super simple like Susan Ciminelli Algae Deep Cleanse, which makes my skin brighter and prevents breakouts. The packaging and smell is nothing special but it really works. Tracie Martyn Amla Purifying Cleanser is also amazing, because it goes beyond just cleansing and makes your skin smell absolutely incredible with uplifting aromatherapy.

Makeup Remover: Needing help removing eye makeup that doesn’t budge? Simple: coconut oil. Now I am using Cocovit. It’s the best, and they even sell a TSA friendly size. It’s perfect for the jet-setting girl.

Hydrating Toner: Next up is my toner. I start with SK-II Treatment Essence, which I carefully pour into the palm of one hand and then rub together and generously pat all over my face, neck and décolleté. I discuss my real love for this “miracle water” here. Then I spray Tata Harper’s Hydrating Floral Essence all over, which just seals in hydration.

Serum: I switch around here a bit, but I usually Tata Harper’s Rejuvenating Serum, which mimics the effects of botox by plumping the skin. Um, yeah. My newest discovery is Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum, which is doooope. If you are curious about the importance of the serum, read about it here.

Face Lotions and Creams and Oils: Depending on how dry my skin is, I like to mix it up by adding oils or switching to heavier creams. I use Tata Harper Repairative Moisturizer if my skin isn’t too dry, and usually most mornings. On the airplane, I’ll lather on Earth Tu Skin Rose Face Balm, which feels so lovely and rich. Natura Bissē The Cure Sheer Cream SPF 20 is also amazing. It’s slightly tinted, and there is only one shade but it’s sheer enough and kind of adapts to your skin tone, so it just blends in and looks natural. It’s great when you want to throw on your cream and run out the door without any makeup on. I’ll also incorporate an oil in addition to the cream or lotion at night if I am feeling extra dry. Sisley’s Black Rose Oil is life changing, but my other 6 favorite oils are here.

Eye Cream: The only eye cream that has made a BIG difference for me is Verso Eye Serum. I just wrote about Verso and why it’s so damn good here. This literally removes under eye puffiness and bags. It’s the retinol, girls. Zelens Triple-Action Eye Cream is pretty luxe too. It feels like velvet, and is made with anti-inflammatory caffeine and moisturizing hyaluronic acid that quickly melts into your skin, reducing the appearance of dark circles, swelling and fine lines – and in just one use. For something natural and super rich and balmy, I love Dr. Hauschka Eye Balm, which I keep in my bag at all times and apply throughout the day. It gives a great glow, kinda like One Love Organics Eye Cream, which actually feels like butter and is a new one I am trying thanks to my friend Grace over at The Stripe.

Body: When it comes to the body, it really matters where you start. I like to begin my routine with Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Scrub and Body Wash. It leaves my skin softer than ever, and the price is certainly right. Out of the shower, I am paying special attention to the delicate area around the chest (aka the décolleté) as well as the neck and my hands. Last year I thought long and hard about how to treat my hands better and even started incorporating a hand mask into my routine. On my chest and neck, I use Estelle and Thild Super Bio Acive Magic Duo, an oil and serum combo. I also LOVE Arcona Pumpkin 10% Lotion. It’s a pure and natural, highly active body lotion infused with pumpkin extracts and glycolic acid that helps improve the tonal quality and elasticity of the skin. It’s great for repairing the damage from the sun and just general signs of aging. It even burns a little, so you know its really working. Obviously, if I plan to be in the sun, I wouldn’t use this, because I could really hurt myself, so I save it for the dead of winter when I really want to repair my skin. I’ll use it on my chest, shoulders, upper back, arms and hands. I can’t finish the body section without mentioning my love for coconut oil. I use it everywhere! Right now I am loving Cocovit, which I learned is harvested from fresh, organic coconuts in South India and is USDA Organic, FDA approved and is food grade so you can eat it too. I smell like a tropical drink by the time I get to bed.

Hands: I really love Byredo and their wonderful La Tulipe hand cream. Rodin Luxury hand cream is so nice too, so I keep both of these babies by my bed and in my bag when I travel.

The Face Mask: In order of most frequently used: Skinceuticals Clarifying Clay Mask. Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask. May Lindstrom The Problem SolverSK-II Facial Treatment.

And although the products listed above are just the tip of the iceberg, they are – in my opinion – this moment’s best of the best.

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Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser

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Susan Ciminelli Deep Algae Cleanse

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Sk-II Facial Essence

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Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence

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Tata Harper Elixir Vitae Serum

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Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum

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Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum

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Earth Tu Skin Rose Face Balm

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Rodin Luxury Hand Cream

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Tata Harper Repairative Moisturizer

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Natura Bissē The Cure Sheer Cream SPF 20

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One Love Organics Eye Cream

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Verso Eye Serum

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Dr. Hauschka Eye Balm

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Byredo La Tulipe Hand Cream

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Arcona Pumpkin Body Lotion 10%

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Cocovit Coconut Oil

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Estelle and Thild Super Bio Acive Magic Duo

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Zelens Advanced Eye Cream

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Tracie Martyn Amla Cleanser

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Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil

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Sisley Black Rose Face Oil

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Skincauticals Clarifying Clay Mask

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Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask

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SK-II Facial Treatment Mask

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Eve Lom Rescue Mask

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Ren Moroccan Rose Sugar Body Scrub

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Ren Moroccan Rose Body Wash

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