Easy Winter Skincare Routine
This is a sponsored conversation on behalf of Paula’s Choice. The opinions and text are all mine. Today I’m sharing my easy Winter skincare routine that’s especially great for those who have rosacea or sensitive skin. As you know, I love Paula’s Choice. They’re the number one skincare brand that I recommend and they’re the staple skincare brand in my collection. In my opinion, they’re the best example of quality, affordable skincare.
Easy Winter Skincare Routine
All Paula’s Choice products are cruelty free. Everything except the Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer is vegan.
Paula’s Choice offers a 100% money back guarantee within 60 days.
I’ve been using Paula’s Choice skincare products since I discovered the brand in late 2011 / early 2012. I fell in love with the Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum and haven’t looked back. Paula’s Choice got me through my skin being sensitive, both when it was oily and now that it’s on the dry side.
Easy Morning Skincare Routine for Rosacea or Sensitive Skin
In the morning, you may not need to deep cleanse your face depending on your skin’s needs. You may just want to gently moisten with water. But if you need to cleanse, start with the Resist Hydrating Cleanser, using a warm, wet wash cloth and rubbing in a circular motion. The wash cloth will gently exfoliate sensitive skin. Make sure you never stick your face directly into the shower water, as that can irritate sensitive skin. Pat dry. Next, apply a serum. During the day I love to use the Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum. I aslo like the C15 Skin Booster because I like how vitamin C brightens the skin. The C15 can easily be mixed in with the Antioxidant serum. If your skin leans dry, you can add extra moisture by adding one drop of the Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster, too. Next, you need sunscreen! Yes, even in the Winter! You should be wearing sunscreen all year round. I LOVE the Resist Daily Fluid SPF 50. I apply the SPF 50 to my face, neck, hands and décolleté. Because of my rosacea and sensitivity (and the recommendation of my dermatologist), I try to wear the highest amount of SPF possible. That’s it for my morning routine right now. About 15-20 minutes after I apply my SPF, I will apply my makeup. If your skin is really prone to dryness, try adding one drop of the Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster to your liquid foundation or mix it in with your facial primer if you’re going to use a powder foundation.
- Resist Hydrating Cleanser
- Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum, C15 Skin Booster, Calm Redness Relief Serum or Hyaluronic Acid Booster (optional)
- Resist Daily Fluid SPF 50
The Resist Hydrating Cleanser quickly became indispensable for me from the first time I tried it. I love how gentle it is on my skin. (See my full review) The Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum feels great on the skin. It absorbs pretty fast, too. With my skin being more dry now that it’s Winter in Florida, I need a drop of Hyaluronic Acid booster added in with my serum. Otherwise the SPF 50 is not moisturizing enough for my skin’s needs.
Easy Evening Skincare Routine for Rosacea or Sensitive Skin
In the evening, I end up using more products. I use Gentle Touch Makeup Remover to take off my eye makeup (and sometimes stubborn lip stains). Then I cleanse my face with the Resist Hydrating Cleanser and a warm wash cloth to remove all traces of my makeup. A few times a week I will use a 1% BHA lotion. When I’m using Retinol, I use the Resist Retinol Serum. I can’t use retinol more than 4 days in a row currently, so I switch off with the Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum. Very sensitive skin may not be able to use retinol at all, so in that case stick to your favorite serum. Then I opt for a super rich moisturizer. Right now I’m using the Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer, which contains peptides, antioxidants and soothing ingredients, making it perfect for my skin. If you want to add even more moisture, add a drop of the Hyaluronic Acid Booster. Then use the Resist Skin Firming Line Minimizer as it’s supposed to help with any fine lines around the eyes or mouth. The Line Minimizer is new to me. Oh! Don’t forget your lips! I swear by the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask.
- Gentle Touch Makeup Remover
- Resist Hydrating Cleanser
- 1% BHA Lotion or Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant (optional)
- Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum or Calm Redness Relief Serum or Resist Retinol Serum (optional)
- Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer (not vegan)
- Resist Skin Firming Line Minimizer (optional)
- Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask
If you’re wondering why you should use BHAs, it’s because they’re a chemical exfoliant and they’re especially gentle for sensitive skin, since they don’t contain small particles that could scratch the skin. BHA (beta hydroxy acid) helps to exfoliate the skin and clean inside the pores, removing dead skin cells and buildup. It helps to smooth the skin too. Your pores will usually look smaller because they’re cleaner and your skin will look more radiant. Two pumps (about a dime sized amount), is what I use on my face. I dot it on my cheeks, forehead, nose and chin, then gently sweep it over my face. I avoid my eyelid and lower lid. Don’t overdo it on the BHA! I’ve done that before too, and really irritated my skin.
If you have sensitive skin or rosacea like I do, it’s really easy to overdo it on the retinol. You need to start out slow, using it for 2 days back to back, then take a day off. Build up to 3 and 4 days of retinol, then 1 to 2 days off. It’ll take several weeks but you will start to see improvement. If you hit the retinol too hard (which I did this summer), your skin will get overly dry. So don’t do that! Make sure you pay attention to how your skin reacts and adjust accordingly. Some people with sensitive skin just can’t use retinol at all, and that’s ok too.
I’m sure you know this from my beauty books for the makeup obsessed collection, but I loved Paula’s book Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. I was happy to see that she recently released The Best Skin of Your Life Starts Here, along with a smaller book, 20 Beauty Myths Busted!
As a Pretty In My Pocket Power Primper, I am offering 20% off + free shipping with promo code PRIMPHOLIDAY to my readers when you shop Paula’s Choice online here. This discount expires Dec 31, 2015. You can also get a free eyeshadow palette on all orders of $65+ with the code GLAM15. You can stack 2 codes at a time. Also, don’t forget to use ebates for cash back!
Join the Beautocracy and register on Pretty In My Pocket. Make sure you follow me on PRIMP here to see my looks and reviews.
If you need help in finding the best products for your skin, you can receive a FREE personal skincare consultation by calling 1(800)831-4088.
This post has been sponsored by Paula’s Choice and PRIMP. All opinions are my own.
What does your Winter skincare routine look like?
Kinda sad I didn’t see this post before and missed the discount. 🙁 Will still check out the site though. Sounds like a great skin care line.
I know I already left an embarassingly long comment but I just had to stop by this post to say thank you from both myself and my roommate!!! We both placed orders just now using your code so thank you very much from both of us! We HAULED. And yay, free eyeshadow palettes!!!
In addition to other things I was planning to get I got the new Resist Anti-Aging Eye Cream. I know almost all of PC can be used on and around the eye area but…my eyes are going CRAZY (bloodshot, stinging, swelling, redness, and I even had some flaking under them). There was no sample size (due to ingredient stability) but PC gives a 60 day 100% guarantee so…I went for it! Eye creams are not cheap and after your discount it was only $25 and change wow!!!
♡♡♡Many, many thanks again from both of us!♡♡♡
I’ve never tried this line. It sounds great!
Call and get a free consultation! The consultants are incredibly knowledgeable. They aren’t pushy sales people. They truly want to help people with their skin concerns! ♡IN AWE OF PC♡
Thank you so much for the code!!! AND WE CAN STACK THE CODES WOW!!! PC is the best!!!
I have to thank both you and Kelly from Vampy Varnish for introducing me to PC. ♡ENDLESS THANK YOU’S!!!♡ I got a bunch of samples to test after an amazing phone consultation back in September. I have extremely sensitive, highly reactive, dry skin with redness, uneven tone, and some fine lines (nasolabial). I’m IN AWE of PC. I have suffered some truly horrific allergic reactions to skin products in the past. I also suffer from EVERYTHING MAKES MY SKIN RAGE so I was literally crying tears of joy after completing my extensive allergy testing of all the products bc I had NO REACTIONS!!! *SO HAPPY* I bought full sizes of everything in October! *o/*
I’m using two of the products you mentioned! I am loving the Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer at night. It’s wonderful! I can even use it around my eyes! I am also using the 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant. It’s made my skin more even in tone and improved clarity! It’s even helped a bit with my fine lines (nasolabial)!
I’m curious about the difference between the 1% BHA Lotion and the new Calm Redness Relief BHA 1% Lotion.
The two new Calm Redness Relief products caught my eye right away…though I guess we all want our skin to be more calm. I’m super curious about the new Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum! It sounds really amazing! *hoping samples come for these new products soon*
The cleanser you’re using sounds great (just read your review). If I wasn’t in love with the PC Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser I’d get it! I have to rave about it…it’s so incredible!
The PC Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser is the best cleanser I’ve ever used!!! I’ve been using it since October and I’m still in awe of the results! I dampen my face and then apply the cream cleanser in circular motions. It feels very luxurious and creamy on the skin but it does not feel greasy at all! It should definitely be used on damp skin though. After rinsing my skin is LESS RED than before I cleansed!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Me applying ANYTHING to my skin = redness. I don’t know what magic is going on but WOW!!! Even the stubborn redness on/around my nose looks LESS RED!!! As you can tell I am still in shock over this, lol. After I rinse with warm water my skin feels very soft and clean, my skin doesn’t feel tight, my skin is…CALM & HAPPY!!! AND LESS RED!!! I just had to rave about this cleanser bc it’s blown my mind. After being amazed by the sample packets I ordered the 16oz size (the larger size) and it’s bigger than my shampoo bottle!!! It’s only $25.00 for that HUGE bottle. AMAZINGLY GENEROUS!!! I also love the packaging – the press to open/press to close cap is sanitary & nail friendly! It also works great as a gentle makeup remover. I dampen a cotton pad, add the cream cleanser, and let the pads rest on my eyes for a minute. It really breaks down the makeup! I cannot praise this product enough!
I also have to rave about the PC Resist Moisture Renewal Oil Booster! I got the little sample bottle about a month ago and I love it!!! I will be purchasing the full size. I have dry skin and sometimes it feels very needy regardless of my moisturizing efforts. Areas of my face sometimes peel and flake. I also suffer from varying degrees of redness. I add one to two drops in my moisturizer, mix, and apply. It really makes a difference! I recently had half of my forehead and temple start to peel/flake. I added the Resist Moisture Renewal Oil Booster to my night moisturizer and it cleared up in two days!!! I also love the slight dewy glow this gives my skin. I think this would be perfect for seasonal dryness too! LOVE IT!
I really, really want to try the Resist Skin Firming Line Minimizer!!! My main issue is fine line formation in the nasolabial folds so this product sounds perfect! I love that PC gives us a 60 day guarantee (full refund or exchange) so that we can give products the time they need to produce results. I’m hopeful for this one! If you have any other recommendations for nasolabial fold lines I’d love to know! I don’t want them to get worse.
I also want to try the Hyaluronic Acid Booster! I loved your tip about adding it to the Cover FX Custom Cover Drops! I’m definitely getting it in my next order. I need to remember to order the Gentle Touch Makeup Remover. Thanks so much – I can’t wait to try it! ♡
Right now my PC regimen is mainly comprised of the Skin Recovery Line with the 1% BHA instead of the 8% AHA bc my skin is too sensitive/reactive.
This is what I’m using now:
– Skin Recovery Softening Cream Cleanser (EPIC. BEST CREAM CLEANSER EVER.)
– 1% BHA Lotion (lightweight, more gentle than I expected!)
– Skin Recovery Antioxidant Serum with Retinol (consistency of honey, clear orange color, application feels icky tbh, it takes a while to “set”… BUT it doesn’t burn, it’s highly moisturizing, it delivers Retinol in a way my hyper-sensitive skin can handle it, and my skin is improving! I’m willing to accept the odd texture/feel for painless results!)
– Skin Recovery Lotion SPF 30 (daytime moisturizer, I should have raved about this one too! A little goes a long way and it’s a pleasure to apply! It feels soothing as I smooth it over my skin. This keeps my skin hydrated & protected during the day. Huge bonus: my makeup applies beautifully over this moisturizer! Mega-huge bonus: It doesn’t smell like sunscreen!!!)
– Skin Recovery Moisturizer (nighttime moisturizer, LOVE THIS! Super moisturizing, gentle, feels so good on my skin! I can apply this to my eye area!!!)
I also use:
– Resist Moisture Renewal Oil Booster (1 to 2 drops mixed into moisturizer when my skin is feeling needy, flaking/peeling. LOVE THIS!!!)
– Skin Recovery Hydrating Mask (I should have raved about this too! This mask applies like a very rich cream. After a minute or so it dries down and I can’t see it anymore. The directions say to leave it on for 20 minutes but I have left it on overnight as a treatment and it worked great! It’s gentle and soothing. I wore this mask overnight prior to my first application of the serum with Retinol in it – I really believe the overnight use of the mask helped my skin tolerate the Retinol. This mask is also perfect if my skin needs a pick-me-up. My skin feels very refreshed after using this mask!)
Oh no this comment has become absurdly long! >.< I'm just so excited about PC and couldn't help myself, lol. XD Many thanks again for the code, introducing me to PC, and all the helpful product reviews!!!
i have been hearing a lot of good things about this brand..gotta check some out soon!
I need a good skin routine! Glad to know what products work.
I’ve been using some products from the Resist range and love them! There are so many more products I’ll be adding to my routine once I finish up other stuff.
I wake up so early in the morning that my morning skincare routine is barely non-existent. Just wash my face and run! I have to get better at that!
The Resist Daily Fluid SPF 50 looks like it’s worth investigating. I always hate the feel of sunscreen on my face but I KNOW I need to use at least 50 every day, even in winter. Hopefully this won’t give me that heavy sunscreen feeling under makeup.
It doesn’t feel heavy at all. It’s very lightweight.
I just ran out of a few of these and need to restock!
I recently hauled because Ray ran out! https://www.instagram.com/p/_Sa4nrLvC8/?taken-by=phyrra
I’m happy to see people recommending Paula’s Choice. It always makes me a bit frustrated when I see beauty bloggers and youtubers recommending products that are actively bad for your skin. Right now I’m combining some of her products with Cerave ones.
I’ve been using and recommending Paula’s Choice for years because they really work for me. I’ve tried other brands and I’ve liked them, but for me personally it’s just hard to beat the value + quality of the PC products + how well they work. I think some people also don’t suffer from sensitive skin issues or rosacea like I do, so it’s easier to find products that work for them, whereas I have issues like fragrance breaking me out. CeraVe is good and reasonably priced.
I really need to see if I can order a sample of the retinol serum. I appreciate that you can get sample sizes to try a product before ordering a full size. I had a retinol product from Philosophy that worked really well but, Philosophy isn’t cruelty-free. So, I need a good replacement. Given that you also have sensitive skin and rosacea, I know the odds are good that if you like a product, it’ll probably be fine for my skin too.
Yes you can get samples of all their products for reasonable prices! I used to use the Purity Made Simple but then I went cruelty free, and gave them up b/c they’re not CF. Paula’s Choice is definitely a good line for you to try if you suffere from the same skin issues that I do.
Purity Made Simple has some impressive aspects. I haven’t found anything that made my skin feel as clean without drying out my cheeks. The Paula’s Choice cleanser…do you feel it’s a good option in terms of how well it cleans?
Do any of you PC ladies have any suggestions for introducing the exfoliants to sensitive skin? I used an AHA one on Sunday, and am afraid to try it again until my slight irritation subsides. I know some irritation is expected. But… Once a week at first? Twice? I’m kind of clueless :/
I would try the BHA lotion for rosacea. I just bought that and I’ve used it 2 days in a row so far with no issues. https://www.instagram.com/p/_Sa4nrLvC8/?taken-by=phyrra
I love that BHA lotion. I wonder if the Skin Replenishing Moisturiser would work on acne-prone skin – I’m in the market for a new moisturiser because antibiotics are drying out my skin.
The Skin Replenishing is super rich, I would think maybe too much for acne prone. Unless you have stubborn dry patches.
Thanks for that – what about the Clear Skin Hydrator? Or the Resist Daily Mattifying Fluid?
I am so enjoying the PC products I have. They are effective and the line I use is lovely for my very dry skin.
Happy to hear it 🙂
WOW! I only use Paula’s Choice products on my skin since I accidentally discovered the brand 7 years ago. PC products have worked a miracle for my combination, breakout prone skin that I completely ditched my foundation and never looked back. (I spot conceal here and there). I forgot the last time I bought it. My favorites are the 2% BHA gel, Hyaluronic Acid drops, Vitamin C spit treatment (irons out my forehead wrinkles like nobody’s business), and Skin balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel.
It’s been great for my rosacea / sensitive skin too. So many things have fragrance, which usually cause me to break out or flare up.
My only skincare right now is Paula’s Choice and I keep wanting more. I’ve bought more of the Resist line lately too.
I love the resist line. You can probably use the RESIST night cream with retinol and will love it.
I haven’t tried the Resist line (except maybe the vitamin C spot treatment might be from Resist), but I’m using the Skin Recovery Moisturizer and it’s great especially for winter
This is my first time trying the Skin Recovery and I love it! It’s definitely rich enough for my skin.
WOW, Courtney! What an amazing selection of products for the winter! I REALLY want to try the Super Antioxidant ConcentrateSerum!
It’s been a long time HG product of mine, I think you’ll love it!
Awesome! I’m just experimenting with Paula’s Choice since I saw a previous post of yours. The Skin Recovery lotion is great. I have a big batch of samples arriving today. I’m trying out the AHA instead of BHA because I don’t really have any acne, luckily. Thanks for the promo code! I’m sure I’ll be ordering before the end of the year. 🙂
I can’t wait to hear what you think of them. I unfortunately get zits becauses of my rosacea. So I’m always trying to keep my skin calm. Check ebates for more promo codes when you do go to order because you can usually stack 2 codes 🙂