Since coming to Switzerland and experiencing my first European winter, my skin has simply freaked the fuck out. Lots of little bumps, dry patches, full on pimples that wouldn’t go away. Being super smart, I’d forgotten to bring my thickest winter creams, but I managed to work out a decent skincare routine with what I had and what I could order off the internet (Swiss retail prices are pretty steep).
Oil treatments – My front line defense against dryness, my old fave Kosmea Rose Hip Oil* worked well but felt dry. Mixing it with Jurlique Skin Balancing Oil* made it glide over my skin more smoothly.
Moisturisers – I hate putting oily moisturisers on my oily skin, so I brought one of my daytime non-greasy favourites Uriage AquaPrecis Moisturising Refreshing Cream Gel. I’ve also been using First Aid Beauty Daily Face Cream*, which is a bit richer than the Uriage cream, but still very non-greasy, and is full of skin friendly ingredients like ceramides and antioxidants. It’s unscented and excellent for sensitive skin, and comes in the travel-friendly FAB Essentials Kit which has four large samples for $19.95 – I’m still working my way through them!
Cleansers – I’ve started oil cleansing again with sunflower oil to avoid stripping my already dry skin of more oil. My skin is so lovely and soft afterwards. I’m also using The Face Shop White Jewel Peeling Gel to get rid of dry peely skin, and Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque to soak up oil a couple of times a week. I like the effect it has on my skin, but I’m not a fan of the sulfur smell – I think I must be overly sensitive to the scent, because most people don’t seem to mind it.
Chemical exfoliants – I’ve been using John Plunkett Glyco Peel about once a week, though I’ve been wary of using too much AHA since I haven’t found a facial sunscreen I’m happy to slather on thickly. I’ve also started using Stridex Essential Pads, though the red version with 2% salicylic acid seems to always be out of stock when I place an iHerb order. This blue version has 1%, and unfortunately I’m not sure whether the pH is appropriate. It’s a bit too drying on my skin though (I’m guessing it’s due to the high ammonium lauryl sulfate content).
Other bits – For my lips, I’m finishing up yet another Nivea Repair and Protection balm*. I’ve also been using Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream* for my cuticles and hangnails – my cuticles have really been drying out here, so I’ve been using this daily.
I’m always caught off-guard when my skin reacts violently to changes in weather – not looking forward to the shock when my skin goes from Australian winter to European summer in a few months!
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I don’t know if you can get it there, but I’ve actually had better results with the Freeman Avocado and Oatmeal clay mask than with Queen Helene, and it does not have the same scent. Though really it’s the mint in the QH that bothers me most.
I haven’t seen it around – at home I usually mix my own with Aztec Clay which smells fine but I didn’t pack it for this trip.
Uriage AquaPrecis Moisturising Refreshing Cream Gel is great! One of my favourite from Lust Have It~