The Best Skin Care Products for Winter, According to Desiree Verdejo
There’s no denying it, hat, scarf and puffy coat season is officially upon us and it’s now time to prepare for the colder months ahead. But just because the days are shorter and the temperature is rapidly approaching the single digits, doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to that summer glow. For many, a new season often means crazy changes in their skin, in the form of breakouts or rough dry patches. But thanks to the help of beauty expert and entrepreneur Desiree Verdejo, she's owner of Harlem-based beauty store and e-boutique Vivrant Beauty, we're helping you change that. When it comes to skin care Desiree really knows her stuff, as the owner of a beauty store she’s constantly trying and searching for the best skin care products out there. Here, she shares her favorite products for helping you maintain dewy glowy skin all winter long.
Finding a good cleanser can be tricky; as the first step in your skin routine having a good one can make all the difference. The key is to find one that removes dirt and oil from your skin but does so gently and effectively. “Sometimes cleansers can be pretty stripping and drying but Indie Lee’s Rosehip Cleanser has rose seed hip oil in it. So when you wash your face it’s thoroughly clean but you don’t have that tight dry feeling,” says Desiree.
One of the best ways to keep your skin glowing and healthy throughout the winter is by exfoliating at least once a week. Chemical exfoliation, which means using products that contain ingredients such as glycolic acid, AHAs, and BHA, or even enzymes, is really effective in making your skin look more radiant and hydrated – something we all need in the winter. Desiree loves Cane + Austin’s Miracle Pads because “they’re 20% glycolic, which means their super effective, and they’re sugarcane based, so they're a little bit more gentle than your average pad or peel.”
Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence (currently available only in store, $68)
To help keep your skin hydrated throughout the day Desiree suggests Tata Harper’s Hydrating Floral Essence. “It’s a toner but it’s also a spritz so it’s a nice to spray on in the AM, throughout the day for touch ups and even right before bed,” she says. And what’s great is that it’s both calming and moisturizing. Unlike traditional toners, there’s no need for a cotton pad, you can literally spray and go. “I like to keep one in my bag so when my skin is really dry, I’ll just spray it on my face – it really feels so good.”
Yuli Liquid Courage ($125)
If you’re only going to invest in one skin care product this winter, it should definitely be a good serum – and this one by Yuli should be it. Unlike a moisturizer, a serum, which is packed with all kinds of hydrating ingredients, is able to penetrate deeper into the skin. “Liquid courage is basically a glow getting oil,” says Desiree. “It’s an anti-oxidant rich concoction of various oils so it’s really rich and nourishing but dries down really quickly so you won’t be greasy,” she explains. Unlike other oils, this one can be used both in the morning and at night and best of all, the longer you use it the better your skin looks!
