Autumn Beauty – my favorite products

As I’m writing this blog post, it’s actually snowing like crazy outside. It’s also extremely windy and it feels like the wind is making its way through the walls of the house. The floors are cold and I’m wrapped in a wool blanket, wearing my cosiest slippers and I’ve lit several candles in my office, just to make it a little warmer inside. I love this season so much, but unfortunately my skin does not. And neither does my hair. 

So, today I thought I’d share my current beauty favorites with you guys. My skin and hair become extremely dry during this season and I’ve tried SO many moisturizing products and oils throughout the years. One thing I’ve learned is that my skin doesn’t like oils. I’ve tried like a billion of them – almond, jojoba, coconut, avocado and many more. My skin simply doesn’t absorb them. I don’t know if there’s something wrong with me, since I know so many who find oils extremely helpful. 

This year I decided to completely stop using oils. Instead, I’ve used lotions and serums for my skin and it has worked so much better. I’ve also started to use face masks more frequently, as they help removing dead skin cells and make my skin more susceptible to the other products that I’m using, i.e. serums and lotions. I’ve also been using AHA acids and it has really made such a big difference. Let’s have a look at my routine!

For the face 

Normally I’m only using 100 % organic/natural products, but for the AHA acids and one of the face masks I’ve actually used non-organic products. Since none of the natural masks made a difference I decided that it was worth a try, so I bought the Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque, which is vegan, cruelty free and free from parabens. I had heard a lot of good things about their products so I bought one of their face masks and wow, it has really helped my skin.

I use both the Dermalogica mask and one from Herbivore (which is natural), which I’ve written about in another blog post, and the combination is perfect. I usually use the Dermalogica mask on Wednesdays and the Herbivore mask on Sundays. In between I’ve been using a toner with AHA acids and this really seems to work for me. I’m also using a facial serum and lotion from Estelle & Thild every day, and that’s about it.  

For the body

Being trapped in warm clothes all day long, my body also tends to get very dry during this season. I exfoliate by dry brushing my skin before I shower and after the shower I apply a body lotion from Estelle & Thild. I decided to try their body lotion since the facial products worked so well, and the body lotion is just as good. 

For the hair 

Some people can wear a beanie or a hat and when they take it off, their hair looks absolutely perfect. I’m so not one of them. My hair looks completely ridiculous after wearing a hat, it’s just hanging down by the sides of my face and has zero volume. It also tends to get extremely dry at the ends, and if I’m wearing a hat a lot the roots are almost getting oily. It’s tricky, to say the least.

My solution? I massage schampoo into the roots (where the hair is oily), and when I rinse through the ends are cleaned as well. When I apply the conditioner I do the other way around – I apply most of it in the ends and then work my way up. I don’t apply conditioner to the roots, I stop when I’ve reached the mid-lengths or so. This works really well for me, since the roots need the most cleaning and the ends need the most moist and nutrition.

To keep the ends healthy and prevent them from becoming dry, I’ve also been using a hair oil from a Swedish brand called Hjärtligt. I’ve been using it for over a year and it works so well. I apply it to the ends while the hair is still wet and then let my hair air dry. I try not to use any heat on my hair since it’s so damaging to the hair, so that’s why I let it air dry. Once a week or so I’ve also been using a hair mask to provide extra moist to my hair. The one I’ve been using is from Bruns and 100% natural and organic. 

For the hands & feet 

Even if my face and body are dry during the autumn/winter season, it’s nothing compared to my hands. My hands are so dry that it if I don’t apply moisturizer in a day or so, I start bleeding because the skin breaks apart. The only moisturizer that works for me is one called Skin Food from Weleda. I apply it about 15 times a day (no kidding) and this treatment keeps my hands soft and smooth during this season. I’ve actually used it for years now and I always keep one by the computer and one in my bag. I’m also using it on my feet when needed, since it’s really good for dry heels. 

With that being said, I think I’ve gone through all my favorite products for the autumn season. I know that many of you live in the Northern parts of the world, so hopefully some of these products can be useful to you as well. 

If you like this post, feel free to share it with your friends, and if you have any additional beauty tips, please do share them in a comment below. 

Xx,
Sofia