Winter Skincare: Expert Advice For A Wedding Day Glow

Winter may be pretty to look at. But with the freezing temps, wind, and spending hours indoors in a dry, heated environment, this time of year wreaks havoc on our skin. Planning a winter wedding is stressful enough. The last thing you want to deal with is a dull, flaky complexion.

We’ve had the pleasure of watching our brides look and feel their best at the hands of some New York City’s finest wedding make up artists. Who better to give winter skincare advice than the experts?! Here they share their must-have products, and Dos and Don’ts for achieving glowing skin on your wedding day.

Lucy Flint, Founder of Miss Harlequin Makeup & Hair

What is your advice about moisturizing during winter?

Moisturizing is always essential, but it becomes even more important in the wintertime. Maintaining your skin’s moisture balance with regular exposure to wind and cold can be tricky, so experiment with changing up your usual products. Switching out a lightweight lotion for a thicker cream or oil can do the trick, or add a serum with hyaluronic acid to give your go-to moisturizer a helping hand.

What are your favorite moisturizing products?

My skin care philosophy has always been the simpler, the better. I love pure oils like argan, coconut, and jojoba. Experiment with different oils to see which one is most effective for your skin type, or create your own blend for a deeply hydrating custom product. If you already adore your cream but feel like it doesn’t quite cut it for the winter, Odacite is an amazing organic skincare line that makes essential oil “boosters” for almost any skin concern. I’m in love with their Youthful Glow serum, just add a couple drops to your favorite cream for lasting hydration with no greasy feel. The Resurfacing Mask from Tata Harper is another winter staple. It’s an all-natural fruit peel that removes dead skin cells without harsh scrubbing, allowing your moisturizer to penetrate deeper.

What should we avoid doing?

I recommend avoiding water-based or oil-free lotions, especially when the temperatures drop. These products give a temporary feeling of hydration, but over time start to leach the natural oils from your skin. Your best bet is to look at the label. If water is one of the first two ingredients, go for something oil-based instead, or better yet, just use oil! Also, try not to exfoliate more than twice a week. Although it’s very important to remove that excess dead skin every once in a while, over exfoliating can strip natural moisture and cause even more flakiness. I swear by the Brilliantly Brightening Facial Scrub from Acure Organics.

What is your one skincare secret for looking radiant all winter long?

Other than drinking lots of water (always my number one skincare tip!), I think the best way to keep skin looking radiant all winter is to use overnight treatments. These rich, thick moisturizers repair the damage your skin may have sustained during the day, and help activate your natural protective moisture barrier. One of my favorites is the Moon Fruit Night Treatment from Herbivore, but you can also keep it simple with a thick layer of shea or cocoa butter before bed. I also notice that many ladies neglect their SPF in the winter. But even on gloomy, overcast days, it’s an essential step.

 

Stacie Ford, Founder of Stacie Ford Weddings

What is your advice about moisturizing during winter?

Do it more often than you would any other time of the year. Especially, at night while the skin is replenishing itself. I recommend moisturizing once in the morning, afternoon, and at night. A good way to stay hydrated through out the day is to use a face mist that you can easily use in between your skincare regime. I recommend No. 1 Brightening Facial Mist from beautycounter. Its alcohol free and infuses your skin with “on the go” hydration and antioxidant protection.

What are your favorite moisturizing products?

My favorite moisturizer to use during the winter months is Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream from Fresh. This cream hydrates and comforts the skin with natural rose flower oils. One of my favorite masks to use is the Arctic Hydration Mask from Skyn Icleland. This mask locks in ultimate hydration and replenishes the skin with vitamin C. A favorite serum that I love to use all year long is Super Glow vitamin C serum from Glossier. This serum brightens the skin and creates even toned skin for even those harsh winter months. 100 % Percent organic and cruelty free.

What should we avoid doing?

You should avoid doing any chemical peels in harsh winter months as this can aggravate the skin’s surface. Also, avoid drinking too much coffee as this dehydrates the skin. Opt for a herbal tea instead!

What is your one skincare secret for looking radiant all winter long?

Invest in a good humidifier for every room in your house. Limit your wine intake, drink plenty of water, and always do your skincare regimen at night before bed. If your not good with religiously doing your nightly skincare routine, leave some hydrating cleansing clothes ( I like Burts’ Bee’s) next to your bed along with your moisturizer that you can easily apply!

 

Linsey Snyder Wachalter, Founder of Face Time Beauty

What is your advice about moisturizing during winter?

It is 100% essential to moisturize morning and night during winter! Drink lots of water to moisturize from inside out as well.

What are your favorite moisturizing products?

There are so many amazing products out there right now. I love Supergoop’s preventative products, which should be slathered on (even in the winter!) and I am a die hard Fresh fan. I love that the Fresh products are all natural and each product actually does exactly what it sets out to do. I basically own all of their products, but I love using the honey mask a few times a week in the winter. It feels like a nice, warm, cup of tea for your face! I also think that all of the products found at Heyday in NYC are amazing. My absolute favorite exfoliator of all time is Shaffali’s Pineapple + Peppermint Exfoliator. It is essential to exfoliate the skin and then put a deep moisturizer on to ensure that it penetrates and really soaks in.

What should we avoid doing?

I think hot baths during the cold months should be kept to a minimum. If you opt to take a hot bath or shower, then keep it short and slather on coconut oil all over (skin, nails, feet, even face!) and let it soak in before you put clothes on. Then before bed, you can moisturize even more. I also think we are not as conscious of feeling “dehydrated” in the winter, because we are not sweating as much. But we need water more then ever! I also would avoid alcohol as much as possible, because we all know what it does to our skin. Exfoliate once or twice a week and that should be substantial.

What is your one skincare secret for looking radiant all winter long?

Eat a plant based diet when possible. I know it sounds hard – but your skin will be glowing in just a few days. We can slather on all of the moisturizer and products we want but if our diet is off balance, nothing can help. Work out and get a sweat going a few times a week. Some people love taking collagen, but I swear by Blue Majik (shhhhh! Its a secret). I make Blue Majik nice cream “sundaes” and it is like an elixir for the skin plus it makes anything look like a “unicorn treat.” So it’s kind of a win/win.

 

Brittany Lo, Founder of Beautini

What is your advice about moisturizing during winter?

Consistency is key! Of course a high quality moisturizer is ideal, but more important than just the quality of the moisturizer you are using is the quantity of times you apply it. For the colder weather, it is best to use a slighter thicker face cream for added moisture. Another type of moisturizer that is extra important to invest in during the winter months is hand cream. Especially if you are getting married in the upcoming months, I high advise applying hand cream about 4-5 times a day especially right before bed.

What are your favorite moisturizing products?

Everyone’s skin has slightly different needs so brands that I think have a nice array of options for skincare are Dermalogica, Kiehl’s, First Aid Beauty and my FAVORITE head creams are from L’Occitane. For sheet masks, I generally don’t spend much on them so a brand that has a great selection is by Masque Bar.

What should we avoid doing?

Too hot of water does dry out the skin, so try to limit how long you take a hot shower for. Another tip to keep in mind for your skin is make sure to shower shortly after working out and apply moisturizer after every shower. As the weather is colder and drier, weekly exfoliation is key! My go to body scrub is The Ritual of Hamman Hot Body Scrub.

What is your one skincare secret for looking radiant all winter long?

My skincare secret is using slightly heavier lotions and moisturizers so it creates a barrier between your skin and the cold, dry weather. And constantly drink water!

A big thank you to our contributors! We love that many of these products use safe, natural, and environmentally friendly ingredients. And remember to drink plenty of water! That warm afternoon coffee and cozy glass of wine seem so right in the moment, but do your skin no favors in the end.