Grace + Kate

My Daily Regimen

It has gotten sharply cold here in New York City over the last few days and my skin is not happy about it. My skin has gotten super dry and feels itchy so I know it’s time to start my winter moisturizing regimen.

1. After the shower I towel dry and apply Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream all over. My skin is still slightly moist and I find that it helps absorb the lotion better (If you are using a toner moisturizer on your body, you should wait for your skin to dry completely.).  You might be wondering where I got that huge tub of Cetaphil from. Costcos of course!! I forget the exact price but it’s around $14 for a twin pack at Costco stores – much cheaper than the online price. One tub is enough to last the whole year.

2. After the shower, I also apply Korres Wild Rose 24-hour Moisture SPF 6 Cream on my face. It does not feel too heavy for a cream and is really hydrating. Although I mostly use it as a night cream, I’ve used it during the day on occasion and it has kept my face hydrated and smooth the whole day. Korres products are all natural and it’s great for sensitive skin. I’m especially careful about products applied to my face. It’s a great everyday cream. It’s $32.50 at Sephora.

3. In the morning, I like to apply Clinique’s Moisture Surge gel face moisturizer. I also like to use it right before applying makeup. During the day I don’t like the feeling of a heavy cream on my face. This oil free product feels super light and clean. You can’t feel it’s presence but it’s definitely working. The gel-based formula applies easily and it’s super absorbent. If you have occasional acne, oily skin or sensitive skin, I highly recommend this product. $34 at Macy’s – a great time to buy would be when they have one of those bonus offers.

4. In my opinion, L’Occitane’s Dry Ski Hand Cream is the best hand cream on the market right now for dry hands. I’ve tried dozens of creams and nothing moisturizes and heals dry cracked hands like this creamy formula does. The shea butter is definitely the key ingredient. Sometimes, I apply it to my legs when I wear a short dress. It does miracles. At $26 a pop, it’s on the expensive side for a hand cream but surprisingly, it’ll last you a year. You don’t need to apply a large amount or keep reapplying with this cream.

5. Another winter skin problem is dry peeling lips. YUCK! Dry chapping lips are inevitable in the winter.  Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 from Fresh works to help prevent dry lips and also soothes lips that are already peeling. The key is to use this product regularly. It’s designed like a lipstick and applies really easily.  $22.50 for a lip balm is quite expensive but I haven’t found a substitute that works nearly as well.

6. Nivea makes great products. In fact, many known celebrities and beautiful women attribute their beautiful skin to Nivea. Found inmost drug stores, you can find yourself a tub for a few dollars. However, you might have noticed my Nivea comes in a blue little tin. Whenever I travel to Europe, I always hit a grocery store or pharmacy and pick up a few tins for home. The ingredients are a little different in Europe and it’s almost identical to Creme de la Mer’s $130 formula.  (I’ll talk about that another time.) These tin creams were 2.40€. I keep it in my purse and I apply it to just about everywhere. From my hands and legs to my face and neck. All you need is a few dabs for those emergency moments.

7. Another product I like to keep in my purse is a Josie Maran Argan Stick. When you were young, you might recall your grandmother or mother applying Argan oil to one of your insect bites or burns. Argan oil has great healing powers and is rich in Vitamin E. Josie Maran Argan Stick works great on dry spots, cracked lips and cuticles. A small stick sets you back $6 at Sephora and lasts quite awhile.