T

November 7, 2022

Brutal winds got your skin chapped and raw? You’re not alone: Whenever the temperatures start to dip, my complexion absolutely freaks. I’m talking itchy, rough skin, sallow, puffy under-eyes, and increased breakouts. Thank you, NYC radiators! 

But because this happens every single chilly season, I’ve made it my mission to uncover the ultimate dewy skin care routine (that just so happens to prevent crepey skin, too). Follow along! Your supple, baby-soft skin will thank you. 

A morning cleanse garners hot debate. Some say it’s necessary to wash away any excess sebum from your slumber, as well as any grime and bacteria from your pillow; others claim it’s way too drying. Do whatever works best for your skin type! 

If you do opt for a morning wash, though, consider using an oil cleanser, which helps dissolve excess sebum and gunk while infusing your pores with healthy fatty acids and nutrients. Right now, I’m loving Susanne Kaufmann’s Deep Cleansing Oil—I’ll slather it on until I’m nice and shiny, then perform a quick facial massage to stimulate circulation and drain puffiness. Not to mention, regular facial massage has been shown to increase blood flow to the face1, which can help with fine lines, promote collagen synthesis, and even tone.

2.

Vitamin C serum & eye cream. 

If you care about healthy aging skin care, you need vitamin C in your arsenal, whether you opt for topicals or quality supplements. See, not only can the classic antioxidant diminish hyperpigmentation2, decrease moisture3 loss, and fight against UV-induced photodamage4, it also plays a significant role in collagen production. It doesn’t just stimulate collagen production; it stabilizes the collagen2 you already have, leading to overall wrinkle reduction.

That said, invest in a vitamin C serum (here are our favorites), and snag an eye cream, too, if you’re feeling fancy. I adore this brightening elixir by Ole Henriksen. 

4.

Ingest your skin care. 

While your moisturizer’s marinating, step out of the bathroom and into the kitchen: If you’re serious about preventing crepey skin for the long haul, you might want to think about ingestible skin care. For me, that means a daily collagen routine. See, your collagen levels begin to decline by 1% each year5 starting around your mid-20s, but collagen supplements have been shown to enhance your body’s own collagen production5, support skin elasticity6, and potentially make fine lines appear smaller. Not bad, considering all it takes is a scoop into your smoothie or coffee. 

Although, not all collagen powders are actually high-quality. Make sure you select a formula with hydrolyzed collagen peptides—see here for our favorite options, all backed by a nutrition scientist.