Exfoliating is an essential step in your nighttime skincare routine, but not all products are made for everyone (I learned this the hard way). I typically have oily to combination skin all year round but find that my skin is at its oiliest during the colder months due to dehydration. Mixed in with the dry cold air and everyday exfoliating, my forehead, chin and nose become textured with large pores and regular acne breakouts as soon as fall hits— last year especially. Because of this, I completely stopped exfoliating for several months. That’s right, no scrubs and toners. As horrible as that sounds, my skin instantly became less oily and less textured but found I was breaking out more than usual. Understanding the importance of removing the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin and cell turnover, I knew my skin wasn’t as healthy as it could be without the help of exfoliants. So now that beyond sweater weather is officially upon us, I’m reintroducing the exfoliating step back into my skincare routine, but with the right products that cater to my season skin type changes. I’m not exfoliating every single day but I’m exfoliating regularly with various gentle exfoliators that leave my skin feeling uber clean and healthy.
In case your seasonal skin conditions sound similar to mines, scroll through my fav exfoliating products and consider adding them into your cold weather skincare routine.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, $80
Ultra-gentle for all skin types — even for daily use — its unique powder formula activates with water. Made with salicylic acid (one of acne’s biggest enemies) and rice enzymes, this exfoliant instantly leaves skin looking and feeling bright and smooth.
Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel, $75
Wake up with glowing skin with this miracle-working overnight treatment. This resurfacing peel from Beautycounter safely replenishes and protects the skin with the help of its glycolic, lactic and malic acid-rich formula, while hyaluronic acid smooths out the skin’s texture to reveal a brighter and youthful complexion. To minimize the look of enlarged pores and dark spots, use three to four times a week and apply to the face and neck.
It Cosmetics Miracle Water 3-in-1 Tonic Toning Micellar Cleanser, $48
Take cleansing to the next level while providing your skin with an extra boost of hydration and radiance with this multi-purpose toner. For the best results, use day and night to gently extract dirt, oil and other impurities all in one simple step. Its Secret Sauce Fermented Complex helps prime the skin and enhances its absorbency and maximizes the efficacy of serums and moisturizers that follow.
Reversa Acnex Purifying Solution, $29
To help control and reduce acne breakouts, this salicylic and glycolic acid-infused toner penetrates oil-clogged pores, eliminate dead skin cells and tightens pores without drying out the skin. Leaving the skin with a matte and clean finish, this toner is perfect for those with oily and acne-prone skin.
Rodial Glycolic Booster Drops, $89
To gently exfoliate the skin and to increase cell turnover, apply one or two drops of Rodial’s new Glycolic Booster Drops directly onto the skin or mix it into your daily moisturizer. Made with 10 per cent glycolic acid complex, its formula penetrates the skin for an even and youthful complexion.
