2025 Winter Skin & Health

I am always reneging on my plans to stick to a certain number of products in my skin or hair care routines. The problem is that my needs change. Or a product comes out that works better than what I previously used. So, I haven't been as good as I hoped. However, I have pretty much stuck to the plan of using up what I have on hand before I get anything else. So... I'm improving?

For my health, having my teeth have made things a million times better. I went through a period of eating everything I shouldn't just because I could finally chew! Now I have settled down and am loving a routine of vegetable and various proteins. Tofu is my fall back, but I am doing a lot with braised chicken, baked ribs, and any seafood that goes on sale. I've just ended about a week of eating what I call "hoisin veggies". My snacks consist of Chex cereal sans milk and unsalted pretzels that I can season to my liking. I'm also happy to say that all my coffee drinking included only plain cream of half-and-half with a little syrup or allulose or tagatose for sweetening. I do still need to find an affordable fizzy water to amp things up when I want something bubbly.

Anyway, the food thing has gotten easier. It's the skin thing that took some working out.

One reason I've changed up my skincare routine is because I am losing weight and that is going to affect my face. I have finally hit on a nutrition regimen that works well for me - kidneys, sarcoidosis, and weight loss. That was not easy to do. In just over 8 weeks, I am down 12 pounds and still losing. Also, I am coming up on 65 years. I'm thankful to still be here, struggles and all, but I want my wrinkles to be well moisturized! 👩🏾‍🦳

During the summer months - when it's so humid here - I can go much lighter on any face, body, and hair moisturizers. I was using one face moisturizer and sunscreen for day, and it was enough. For nights, I added a light application of Vaseline in over the base moisturizer. Sometimes I used my German Nivea if I needed it. Now that the dry air has come to town, I've had to really boost up on the moisture from head to toe.

One body lotion I've fallen in love with (after getting a sample in a Walmart Beauty Box) is this Avena Instituto Espanol Collagen Body Regeneration. It's so wild that I was able to get a 2-pack of 17 ounce bottles to under $10 from Amazon while the same thing is $23 at Walmart. That's insane.

The Avena is so amazing that I can, in a pinch, use on my face - but it has a scent. What I love is that is drenches my skin with moisture that lasts. It's one of the few things that I've tried that is better than CeraVe and La Roche Posay and the price makes it a winner. I can honestly say that, if it had cost the same as the other two, it would still win out.

Years ago, a close family friend did a huge weight drop over a year. One thing we were amazed by was how well her skin held up - not a lot of looseness or sagging. She said that she had made sure to stay extremely hydrated, inside and out. I never forgot that so...

The first thing I make sure to put on any list is sunscreen. I never tire of reminding others to use a good sunscreen. For some reason, many folks neglect this. Some people think you only need sunscreen in the summer. Nope. Just get some and use it - regularly.

Another product I've come to rely on this winter is a facial oil from Good Molecules. I'd tried an oil last winter from Palmer's and my skin rebelled. I used to be able to use castor or jojoba on my face, but they now seem to heavy. Weird. The oil from Good Molecules is a nice addition for winter. It goes on like a serum rather than an oil and I think my skin is getting addicted to it. At first, I was alarmed by the tiny size of the bottle and the $10 price, but it takes only a couple of drops for each application. 

One of the reasons I've been using the oil is because I'm also using a Bakuchiol Retinol Serum. That's because I'm afraid of actual retinol but have learned that bakuchiol is the next best thing. and I chose this one because I can do cheaper refills and a single container lasts! It only took a couple of weeks to convince me. The results are subtle but there. I have those dark spots that are common to black people and, while it takes professional treatment to get rid of them, the serum is helping to make them less noticeable. Also, my skin is staying firm and holding on better to the moisturizers I'm using. (And I do have to use good moisturizer along with the bakuchiol.)

Speaking of facial moisturizer, I love all the Medicube stuff I tried but I had to get pick something more affordable. I went with Illiyoon's Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream which is almost half the price and works awesome on my skin.

There are 2 other products I use off and on. One is snail mucin (I will get whatever brand is around $10) and the other is any kind of collagen or snail mucin mask (again, whatever is on sale). 

I never was someone who used a lot of face masks, but I tried a collagen set I got on a lightening deal and, boy, was it amazing. Oddly, I use the time wearing a mask to relax the way I used to when soaking in a bath. My apartment only has a shower so... Also, while the collagen masks were great - and affordable because they are so plentiful - I prefer the snail mucin masks. To be honest, I hate touching snail mucin, but I love how it super-hydrates my skin.

One trick I learned with moisturizers is that, if I have to use a one that is less rich or hydrating, adding a little bit of snail mucin in makes it so much better. You're welcome.

When my family asks what I want for Christmas, I'm choosing to stock up on my skincare products!

Peace

--Free

DISCLAIMER: I am not/will not be compensated in any way for any products mentioned in this post and there are no affiliate links. I am not a suggesting/advising anyone use any product mentioned. I am only sharing my experiences and feedback.