Winter Skin Must Haves

For as long as we had a mild and luxurious weather here in the Northeast, or up until last week that is, we still have to deal with the change of the season affecting our skin sort of negatively. Yes, dry and itchy skin is a problem. I have been honing in on the products that help me achieve maximum comfort when the air is fuh-reezing outside and the heat is turned up, making the air dry inside. I am sharing with you so that perhaps, in your search for the product line up that makes your skin it's most wonderful Winter self, you might find a nugget or two of wisdom from lil' ol' me. These are in order as I apply them after bathing but you may find a different routine works for you.

For My Body: Organic Bath Co. Stress Less Body Butter

I have been using this body butter for almost a year and while in the warmer weather, I will use it very sparingly (after yoga or a relaxing bath) in the Winter, this boss body butter is what is getting my skin through. It's luxurious but most importantly, it is keeping my skin hydrated all day long. I will use after my shower and give it a little time to soak in while I am getting ready before getting dressed. It's earned it's place in my routine for very good reason, it keeps the itchy skin at bay! The Stress Less has a gorgeous lavender scent but the Drenched and Zesty Morning may offer you what you need.

Face It, Baby: Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator, Thesis Beauty Lullaby for Dry Skin Serum and Osea Atmosphere Protection Cream

I've got my face moisturizing almost down to a science, with my only weakness being complete coverage (sometimes I don't complete my forehead which haunts me later in the day). After my shower, I pat my face dry and spritz the Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator on my face and neck. This amazing, lightly scented (mmm marshmallow) spray acts as a foundation/catalyst to keeping your skin hydrated. It's a gentle toner and light moisturizer all in one. I love it #BigTime.

I give it a minute or two and apply the Thesis Lullaby for Dry Skin serum. I've loved this serum for awhile now. It's great daily moisture and it does NOT leave your face feeling greasy, which is something that I find a huge turnoff in face oils. It's amazingly fast to soak into your skin so the daily skincare routine isn't held up because your face oil is whack. It's also powerful enough on it's own so let's say I have to dash, one pump of this serum will do the trick in a bind. Plus, totally excellent under makeup (if I actually wear makeup that day!)

After my spritz and pat of oil, I use the Osea Atmosphere Protection Cream. This was introduced to me while I was on a lil' trip to Follain this past November. I was still looking for that moisturizer that met my needs and won my heart. For now, my heart belongs to Osea. It's super lightweight and has a silky feel. Of course, it meets all my moisturizer needs (not too heavy, agreeable scent, actually moisturizes) but what I love the most is that it's great for all skin types and can be combined with my foundation for a more even coverage (again, if I actually wear makeup that day!).

At My Desk: Skincando's Combat-Ready Balm and Beautycounter's Rosewater Uplifting Spray

Sometimes it's just one of those days where no matter how much you moisturized in the morning, come 2pm you're feeling a little uncomfortable. Whether your hands are dry and cracked or your face is a little itchy, I keep a couple of little things at my desk to aide in a little last minute moisture pick-me-up! When I need to attack a specific spot, the Skincando Combat-Ready Balm is there (read my full review here) waiting for me. The Beautycounter Rosewater uplifting spray applied to the face can provide that cool, refreshing pick me up that your skin might need. These are mainstays at my desk (along with Minka Home's Miracle Hand Salve not pictured, because sometimes you want a little delicious scent!.)

Tell me, what are your Winter Skin "go to's"?

I Tried It: Skincando

I think it was when I first visited Follain in Boston's South End that I received a sample of the Skincando Combat-Ready Balm. Being a blogger, I'll be honest. I receive samples for a lot of different things so for a product to stand out, it does mean something. The Combat-Ready Balm really did make an impact in our home over the last Winter where 6 feet of snow "blanketed" our sweet New England region and now that it's Winter again, I have found myself digging for that sweet relief for my cracked + dry hands. While our Winter has been MUCH milder this year, the air is certainly different and our skin reacts to it, no doubt. You know, if you read up on the Combat-Ready Balm it was originally used by soldiers in harsh regions to help relieve severe dryness, eczema, chafing, scars, bug bites, burns and so much more. It's the kind of salve that you want to have on hand, and literally, on your hands, because it's the real deal.

I really hadn't done much research on what else Skincando offered because I am starting to get settled into the green beauty products in my regimen but I just recently received some of the Skincando Luxe line and gave it the good old college try. I replaced my normal moisturizer with the miracle cream and have to say that with the colder weather, and the subsequent drier skin, it paired nicely with my face oil and absorbed quickly. A little goes a long way so even a light layer kept my skin moisturized all day without feeling greasy. On those days where it was just oil and miracle cream, my face felt good. On the days when I wore this combo under my makeup, it held up nicely and didn't complicate my normal routine of getting dolled up aka evening out my skin tone with something lightly tinted.

The eye balm, well, I don't currently use an eye balm but I am pushing 34, oh wow, yeah so maybe I should be looking into this in more detail? The Skincando luxe eye balm is very similar to the miracle cream in consistency and how it wears on the skin. The balm has green tea and lemon grass essential oils but is not heavily scented, which is a major pro in my book. I'm going to continue using the eye balm and will start looking at those fine lines and wrinkles a little closer to see if there are any results. Both the miracle cream and eye balm are handmade to order, so it's a very personal process that I admire. My friends and I are always talking about authenticity and where you spend your money is like casting a vote, and you want your vote to count.

The products are legitimate and in the very least, the combat balm will earn it's spot in your battalion but bonus for people who like brands that give back and want to make the world around them better, Skincando's founder, Sara Damelio created Operation Sand Flea, a means of donating the combat ready balm to troops overseas, which can soothe flea bites, sunburn and dry skin all at once. It's how the combat balm came to be and it's how Sara and her team are giving back. It's really special and I love when a line has a story like this. I can get behind a brand where I respect the people and love the products. Skincando has found a place in my beauty cabinet and that is not a lie. I can't wait to snag a jar of the Combat Balm especially for kids, since, well, I have one!

You can find Skincando on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. If you're local, pick up the combat balm at Follain or visit the Skincando site for your goodies.

*Skincando provided samples but all opinions are 100% my own + I will spend my own money on future Skincando purchases.