Caring for Fall & Winter Skin
As the pandemic has worn on and I’ve spent virtually every social occasion outside (all except for some virtual meet-ups), I finally decided to reembark on the search for a mineral sunscreen for my face and a restoring moisturizer that can tackle my increasingly dry skin (and, sad to say it, fine lines).
I’m getting older and my skin is changing. It’s less elastic, less oily, and more prone to discoloration. It’s also just as sensitive as ever. The products I’m reviewing in this post have offered positive results at a reasonable price point.
Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Sunscreen SPF 40
I am allergic to at least one of the ingredients used in “full spectrum” chemical sunscreen and have found it best to avoid it, opting instead for baby sunscreen or items marketed specifically as mineral – often called “physical” – sunscreen, containing only zinc and titanium dioxide. But this has presented a problem for my face, because mineral sunscreens are typically very thick and often leave a white cast on skin. I never wanted to slather that stuff on as part of my daily routine.
I feel like I got lucky on the first try this time around because I added Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Sunscreen to my cart and haven’t looked back. Though it’s decidedly thicker than my daily moisturizer, it is sheer (at least on my skin – can’t speak for all skin tones) and absorbs quickly. It also works as a good primer under makeup because the texture helps makeup adhere to the skin.
I use this any time I anticipate being outside for more than five minutes.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Hyaluronic Acid
This product has a complicated name, but it really just a nice, mid-weight moisturizer with HA for added absorption. The Ordinary boasts that this lotion contains 11 amino acids for effective skin repair. I don’t know much about skin chemistry, but I can say that this product is really effective at deep moisturization without feeling heavy or sticky on the skin.
I apply it at night as the last step in my regimen, which typically includes cleanser, toner, and sometimes serum. The weather is considerably less humid than it was even two weeks ago and I could feel my skin drying out, but now that I’m using Natural Moisturizing Factors, my skin feels plump and hydrated throughout the day.
Honorable Mention: Glossier Milk Jelly
I bought this cleanser in order to get free shipping on an order placed several months ago, so it wasn’t really a high priority to try it out. However, I find that it’s a really soothing, luxurious option for nighttime cleansing and makeup removal. I use it on days that my skin feels particularly irritated or dry. I anticipate that I’ll use it more frequently during the fall and winter months.
