11 Skincare Essentials For Winter’s Dark Days

The leaves are starting to turn and the days are getting shorter, which means that the dark days of winter are right around the corner.

The time to ready your skincare arsenal is now, and we have six items that will help you save face, and stay gorgeous until spring arrives.

Orogold 24K Vitamin C Mask ($218)

Light and emollient, this mask will leave your skin baby soft and glowing in just 20 minutes. Formulated with vitamins C, E, and A, as well as witch hazel extract, tangerine fruit extract and flecks of gold, this is a must to keep skin vibrant during blustery, cold winters. The vitamin C is essential to the production of collagen, a protein that helps with the growth of cells and blood vessels. More collagen means firmer, younger looking skin without fine lines and wrinkles.

DDF Advanced Firming Cream ($130)

The core of this anti-aging cream is the proprietary Turmeric Complex: Turmeric root works as a free radical fighter, along with vitamin E, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, and vitamin A. A touch of vital skin minerals, zinc and copper, nourish and protect damaged skin, and an advanced 5x amino acid peptide chain creates a response deep within the skin to create more elastin and collagen for improved resilience. Slather this on before you head to bed, and awake to soft and gorgeous skin in the morning.

Time Freeze Instant Lift Serum ($24)

If the cold air and wind have your skin looking deflated, give it an easy lift with this light cream. Bioactive wild Arctic lingonberry extract is 40 times more potent than the berry itself, which is already bursting with the natural antioxidant Quercetin. In addition, Time Freeze’s Skin Messenger Molecules work to support collagen and elastin synthesis. Together they deliver firmed and lifted skin instantly…perfect for right before a holiday party.

Renee Rouleau Bio Calm Repair Masque ($51)

When the heat at home kicks in, moisture drains from skin. This soothing gel mask works to instantly reduce redness and provide relief to your irritated face. Bio Calm Repair Masque can be used post-workout, post-peel or post-laser or as part of a weekly at-home facial treatment to restore comfort and balance. The folks at Renee Rouleau call this product “topical Valium” for your skin and for good reason!

Glytone Body Retexturize KP Kit (68)

Those with Keratosis Pilaris (bumpy skin that usually shows up on arms and legs) have a tough time is winter. Cold air and scratchy sweaters make the condition worse. This three-piece treatment for KP helps to smooth rough bumps and stimulate the skin’s natural renewal process. It includes a Glytone body lotion, a body wash and a shower pouf. Each product is specially designed to cleanse and soften the entire body. Glycolic acid products provide exfoliation, turnover dead skin cells and reveal a fresh, healthy layer of skin.

Pulsaderm ReNu Diamond Microderm System ($149)

ReNu uses the latest in diamond exfoliation combined with advanced vacuum suction to gently massage away the extra layers of skin that build up with age, which then allows skin to better absorb serums and creams. On other words, this product can make the rest of the items on this list work even better.

Unlike crystal microdermrabrasion, ReNu’s diamond tips rarely need to be replaced, with each lasting up to one year with proper cleansing and maintenance. Appealing to all exfoliation needs, ReNu comes with four interchangeable tips: the Standard Tip for general use on the face, Delicate Tip for use on facial contours, Firm Tip for use on the body and Bold Tip for use on thicker skin typically found on the elbows and knees.

Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum ($69)

This smooth concentrate targets fine lines, dullness and dehydration, and works well even on the most sensitive of skin. Lightweight and fragrance-free, the serum soaks into your skin in a matter of seconds, leaving it velvety soft. The hyaluronic acid provides continuous moisture to the skin by binding up to 1000 times its weight in water, which will hydrate even the most parched faces all winter.

Osmosis Quench Intense Hydrator ($54)

Osmosis Quench Intense Hydrator utilizes a trio of hydrating ingredients to help give your skin a healthy glow: Jojoba oil conditions your complexion while organic shea butter imparts nourishing moisture; Hyaluronic acid multiplies the effects of these elements by enveloping your skin with a saturating moisture barrier and locking hydration in the cellular wall.

Iluminage Precise Touch ($295)

Did you know that winter is the perfect time to get rid of unwanted hair? Now, you don’t even need to go to a salon or spa. Iluminage Precise Touch is the first and only at-home technology to combine Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Radio Frequency (RF) energies to deliver clinically proven, permanent hair reduction painlessly to all skin types and colorations. The Touch is best used on smaller areas: face, armpits and bikini line, and is pain free to use.

LumaRX Full Body Hair Removal System ($449)

Have a large area to treat? This IPL device features a replaceable cartridge that applies pulsating bursts of energy through its wide cap to target a broader area of hair. The light penetrates deep into the skin, reaching the hair root to disrupt the production cycle and prevent future hair growth with a 94% hair reduction in just three treatments. Because this devise is IPL only, it is not suitable for those with darker complexions or very those with very light hair.

Jane Iredale Smell the Roses Spray ($29)

A taste of spring in winter can life event the heaviest of spirits. Smell the Roses is a 100% natural, 30% organic hydrating facial spritz that moisturizes and cleanses the skin, calms irritation and reduces redness. Its featured ingredient, rose damascena flower oil, penetrates deep into the skin to tighten, clarify and detoxify with a refreshing rose scent. 100% of the profits (not just proceeds) from the sales of Smell the Roses will be donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a national education and support organization whose mission is to connect people with trusted breast cancer information and a community of support.