Check Out These 8 Must-Have Skincare Products for the Winter

Bells are jingling, exams are near, and here comes the season of dry skin and peeling lips. The winter season is filled with adorning lights, hot cocoa, and cute trench coats. However, behind the cold girl Instagram-worthy pictures in front of twinkling lights are heaps of preparation and protection against the bitter cold. Feeling good in our own skin comes from taking care of it.

In anticipation of even colder weather, we had a conversation with Suraqa Noor, also known as @noorsura, who is a Muslim Bengali TikTok influencer specializing in Brown girl makeup and skincare. Here is a compilation of high-end and drugstore skincare must-haves of the winter season.

1. Cleanser

Cleansing at all points in the year is especially important to remove all excess dirt and harmful bacteria from the skin. Investing in a good cleanser avoids breakouts. Here are a few favorites.

Suraqa’s pick
Foam Cleanser

Writer’s pick
Ginseng Oil

2. Exfoliate

Exfoliation is not just for the hot summer days after you’ve sweated a lake. Investing in a great exfoliator removes all the excess dead skin cells accumulated from the harsh cold. Try one of these two products.

Elf Gentle Peeling Exfoliant

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

3. Toner

Toner helps tighten the face, clean the pores, and close them after exfoliation to ensure fewer breakouts. However, most toners are especially drying, and while they fight against the dead skin cells that accumulate after the harsh wind, it is especially important to moisturize after. Here are some choices.

Ole Henriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner

Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner

4. Eyes

I don’t know about the rest of you but my eyes sting year-round. However, wintertime tends to soak all the moisture from my eyes, while making my under-eye bags as swollen and dark as ever. Maybe it’s the frozen air hitting my face, or the endless nights spent studying, but these products work wonders.

Writer’s pick
The Ordinary caffeine eye cream

Suraqa’s pick
Eye Love You Eye serum

5. Moisturize

To fight Mount Drought, you need to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. The bitter cold or the scorching heat may strip your skin of healthy oils. If you opt to avoid moisturizing, don’t be surprised to find your skin fighting for its life the second you step out the door. A nice, thick, cool moisturizer leaves your skin refreshed and protected. We recommend the following.

Suraqa’s pick
Soon Jung intensive cream

Writer’s Pick
Cetaphil lotion

6. Sunscreen

Sunscreen isn’t simply reserved for summer days. The intense sun rays reflect on the piles of snow outside, attacking your skin from every angle and damaging your skin. Sticking to a creamy, protective sunscreen throughout all seasons will prevent skin aging. Some favorites include:

La Roche Posay Anthelios Melt In Milk Sunscreen SPF 60

Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Sunscreen SPF 50

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

Writer’s Pick
Hawaiian tropic sunscreen SPF 50

Suraqa’s pick
Supergoop unseen sunscreen SPF 40

7. Lips

When it comes to dry lips, I always have them and normally, nothing helps. I’ve tried lip balms, lip treatments, Vaseline, lip glosses and these are the few products that help.

Eucerin Aquaphor Lip Repair

Clinique Almost Lipstick

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

8. Add a diffuser to your home

Diffusers do wonders for your nose, throat, and skin. It increases moisture and helps combat any sickness or damage from the winter air. Essential oils like Tea Tree oil or Lavender will soon become your best friends. Some great diffusers and essential oils include:

Beware of salicylic acid

Truly the product that helps my skin the most with its ability to open pores and remove dirt, sweat, and makeup residue is the Ordinary Salicylic Acid but salicylic acid has the tendency to dry out the skin. Beware of how much product you’re using, and make sure to moisturize right after.

The golden rule of winter skincare

You’re officially set for the winter. Remember, when picking skincare for the next couple of months hydrate your skin and switch to oil-based products!