The dry climate that accompanies winter makes me want to reach for a tub of Vaseline (without the actual Vaseline part) and slather it all over my face. The desire to have moisturized, baby-soft skin that defies the elements is oh so real. The challenge with so many deeply hydrating products on the market, even those from some of the most well-respected clean beauty brands, is that they often include comedogenic, pore-clogging ingredients that can negatively impact your skin texture and cause breakouts if you’re someone who is more prone to these reactions. I certainly don’t claim for a second to be a skincare expert, but I like to do my research as I’ve gained a deeper understanding of my skin and ingredients over the years. For me, winter skincare’s heavily used, buzzy-worthy ingredients such as shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, and coconut oil, tend to aggravate my skin after multiple uses.
When shopping for face creams, acne-safe app in hand, I find it particularly difficult to source products that suit my needs. If you’re someone who has similar challenges, here is my short list of winter skin heroes that all pass the non-comedogenic ingredient test.
Ursa Major’s Golden Hour Recovery Cream has sea buckhorn, which is an ingredient rich in antioxidants and fatty acids that moisturizes effectively.
GOOPGENES All-in-One Super Nutrient Face Oil is deeply nourishing with a side of strong anti-aging properties.
True Botanicals Chebula Active Serum has hyaluronic acid coupled with antioxidant-rich chebula.
One important thing to remember about products with hyaluronic acid, one of the most common moisturizing ingredients, is that it is a humectant, which means it pulls moisture from the surrounding area. Dermatologists typically recommend applying it to damp skin; if you apply it to dry skin, it can just make your skin feel more dry.
Cheers to dewey winter skin that defies the elements.
x jz
Images | 1 | @b.g.mckay, styled by me | 2 Ursa Major | 3 | Goop | 4 | Detox Market