Your winter skincare routine: where to splurge and where to save
Four steps, two price points, and an honest look at which ones are worth the extra money.
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Cold air and indoor heating make a light summer routine feel thin by November. The fix is rarely more steps. It is usually a gentler cleanser, a richer cream and a sunscreen you will actually keep wearing.
Here is the same four-step routine at two price points. Mix them however you like. Most good routines do.
Step 1: Cleanse
A cleanser sits on your face for under a minute, so this is the easiest place to save.
The splurgeCharlotte Tilbury Multi-Miracle Glow Cleanser is a balm-style cleanser for the woman who wants her evening wash to feel like an event.
The everydayLa Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser is a creamy, fragrance-free pharmacy classic with a large bottle that lasts.
Step 2: Treat
This is the step where formulas differ the most, so if you only splurge once, consider doing it here.
The splurgeEstée Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum is one of the best-known luxury serums in beauty, and the kind of bottle that makes a shelf look finished.
The everydayThe Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 keeps things simple and costs a small fraction of the price. Press it into damp skin before your cream.
Step 3: Moisturize
Texture matters most in winter. Look for a cream rather than a gel, and put it on while your skin is still slightly damp.
The splurgeCharlotte Tilbury Magic Cream is a rich, makeup-friendly cream, which is why you will see it on so many vanities.
The everydayCeraVe Moisturizing Cream comes in a tub, works on face and body, and is hard to beat for the price.
Step 4: Protect
Winter sun still counts. The best sunscreen is the one you enjoy enough to wear every morning, so this is the one step where paying for a nicer texture can make sense.
The splurgeSupergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 is a clear, primer-like formula that sits neatly under makeup.
The everydayNeutrogena Hydro Boost sunscreen is a light, easy option you can replace without thinking about it.
The verdict
If your budget allows one luxury, make it the serum or the sunscreen you will use daily. Save on the cleanser. And before you buy any premium product on Amazon, check that the listing says it ships from Amazon or is sold by the brand itself. That small line is the best protection you have.
This post is for general beauty inspiration and is not medical advice. Patch test new products, and see a dermatologist about any ongoing skin concern.
