I've always been very minimal about skincare and used the easiest, not-too-expensive thing I could find at the drug store. As I've gotten older, I have been okay with getting nicer products and allowing myself to spend money on skincare. Right before the holidays, I wasn't taking care of my skin. It was dry and sallow and all of a sudden, I could really see the effects of me not caring about my skin. I spent the two week break trying out products I had as samples, products that were given as gifts, and some that I had been wanting to try for a while. And, I finally (in a very adult way) put together a daily skincare routine for myself. Since it's also winter, my skin feels extra dry right now, so I added in items that are extra helpful for these dryer months. Since a lot of you ask me about skincare on my Instagram Stories, I have put together a handful of items I am using right now during this winter season!

Step 1: Cleanser. I have combination skin that gets oily in the T-zone, so cleanser is super important for me twice a day otherwise, I will break out. But in the winter, my skin also gets dryer faster, so I need something light that won't dry out my skin too much.

For daily cleansing, I use Glossier's Milk Jelly Cleanser. It's light and fresh and easy to use. If I have makeup on, then I like Banila Clean It Zero which removes makeup while cleansing the skin at the same time.

Step 2: Serum or Mists. Prior to this past year or so, I thought this was a complete crock created by the beauty industry to get you to spend more money on products. But what I realized for me, as I got older, is that a serum or mist adds another layer of moisture that our skin really needs to absorb. They don't serve as moisturizer on its own, but they do hydrate the skin which helps it look softer and more glowy.

I like these two—Glossier Super Pure Serum (which I use around my T-zone for helping with blemishes) and this Heritage Store Rosewater spray—for hydrating the skin.

Step 3: Moisturize. In the winter, I find that a lot of thick face lotions and creams make me break out. So I'd been searching for options that aren't too oily.

In the daytime, I'll use Glossier Priming Moisturizer before SPF for a bit of extra moisture. At night, I like First Aid Beauty's Coconut Water Cream—it's moisturizing without being too heavy or greasy. Finally, I have recently been OBSESSED with this Triple Protection Skin Tint by First Aid Beauty which has SPF 30 as my last step in the morning. I've never like wearing foundation and have rarely use it. But as I have gotten older and my skin tone has become less even, I find that this really adds a nice and even (yet light) finish that looks very natural. Finally, if your lips get really dry in the winter like mine do, I started using this Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask before bedtime.

Keep in mind, I am not telling you to go out and buy ALL of these things. I like all of these for different reasons and have narrowed my favorites down for you based on what you are looking for in your skincare routine! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions!