My Three-Step Winter Skincare Routine for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin
A quick and nourishing three-step routine for soothing, cleansing, and protecting oily, acne-prone skin during the colder months.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you click a link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own and are based on products I have personally purchased and used.
Even though I naturally have oily skin, the moment I put away my Thanksgiving and fall décor, the crisp winter air seems to bite at my face—leaving behind dry patches, irritation, and itchy skin.
Combine the colder weather with working a full-time job and creating content, and I need a skincare routine that is quick, simple, and effective. In my mind, that is the only way to create any kind of balance.
After spending more time indoors and seeing myself on screen during online meetings, I also began to notice that my skin looked tired and uneven in both texture and tone. That was when I decided to research and invest in skincare that would gently cleanse and nourish my skin, along with makeup that could hydrate and even out dry, blotchy areas.
I value self-care, but it was not until adulthood that I began investing in products that helped my skin look refreshed, even, and healthy rather than dull or washed out. Because my skin is oily and acne-prone, I look for products that remove the buildup that can clog my pores and contribute to breakouts without stripping away the natural oils that keep my skin feeling balanced.
Over time, I have simplified my skincare regimen into three steps: soothe and depuff, cleanse and moisturize, and hydrate and protect.
Soothe and Depuff
With all the gatherings, shopping, planning, and preparation that come with the holiday season, I have noticed my skin looking more tired, irritated, red, and uneven—and my eyes looking puffier. Naturally, I started researching products that could help soothe my skin and reduce puffiness without adding too much time or expense to my nighttime routine.
Shop Skin Hydrators + Eye Puffiness Reducers
At the end of a long day, all I want to do is lie down with a hot cup of tea, apply a face mask, and let my skincare products do the work. The products I found have helped me turn that wish into a relaxing nighttime ritual.
That is how I discovered the Wildling Beauty Empress Stone and Empress Oil.
For my first gua sha tool, I chose the Wildling Beauty Empress Stone because I wanted something designed to massage and depuff the areas around my cheeks, jawline, and eyes.
Gua sha was completely new to me. I had watched bloggers and other content creators use the tool in videos, but I did not understand its purpose, its potential benefits, or how it would feel on my own skin. I am naturally curious, though, and when I discover something that could make a meaningful difference in my self-care routine, I am usually willing to put that curiosity to the test.
I purchased Wildling’s Empress Oil along with the stone. Because I have oily skin, I was hesitant to use an oil that might clog my pores or disrupt my complexion. But using the oil with the stone felt incredibly relaxing. The combination has become a soothing addition to my nighttime routine and gives me a few quiet minutes to decompress at the end of a long day.
My search also led me to products from vegan and cruelty-free skincare and beauty brands, including smaller, female-founded companies—qualities I especially love supporting.
For puffy eyes, I apply the Cocokind Revitalizing Eye Cream, followed by the Pacifica Reusable Eye Masks. I like to place both products in the refrigerator for a couple of hours beforehand so they feel cool and soothing when applied to the puffiest areas beneath my eyes.
Cleanse and Moisturize
Investing in thoughtfully made products with quality ingredients has always been important to me—not only in skincare, but in every area of my life, from my wardrobe to my beauty routine.
I am happy to share products from brands such as Indie Lee, Original Sprout, Osea, and Odacité. I appreciate their beautiful approach to skincare, thoughtful formulas, and the noticeable difference their products have made in the health and appearance of my skin.
I have learned that my skin often benefits from a double cleanse, especially when I am wearing makeup. I typically start with an oil-based cleanser to dissolve makeup and buildup, then follow with a water-based cleanser to clean my skin.
Every other day, I use the Osea Ocean Cleansing Mud and follow it with the Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Universal Face Oil to restore moisture.
On the days when I do not use the Osea cleansing mud, I reach for the Odacité Blue Aura Cleansing Water. When I need to remove makeup more thoroughly, I pair it with the BYBI Swipe Clean Oil Cleanser and Makeup Remover.
I use those two products together most often after an event, when I want to make sure every trace of makeup is gone without being too harsh on my skin. After a night of dancing and mingling, I want to feel hydrated and well-rested—and I want my skin to feel the same.
Shop Cleansers + Moisturizers
Many of these brands offer vegan and cruelty-free options, which is meaningful to me. I love finding products that support my skincare goals while aligning with brands whose values I feel good about supporting.
Hydrate and Protect
Another thing I love about these products is how easily they fit into either a morning or evening routine—and how well many of them work on their own when I need to keep things especially simple.
I have had an affinity for beauty since I was a little girl sitting in the bathroom, watching and admiring my mom as she applied her makeup before work. As an adult, I still love the ritual of getting ready, but I have learned that it does not have to be elaborate to make me feel cared for and put together.
In the morning, I apply Indie Lee Daily Skin Nutrition, followed by Original Sprout Worry-Free Sunscreen, for skin that feels soft and hydrated. This is often my weekend routine before heading out for a walk with my morning coffee.
On days when I want an even simpler routine, I wear the Original Sprout sunscreen on its own, then add a small amount of concealer beneath my eyes and around my eyebrows for a quick, natural-looking glow.
Of all the sunscreens I have tried, Original Sprout is one of my favorites to wear beneath makeup. It feels lightweight, applies smoothly and evenly, and does not leave my already-oily skin feeling overly greasy.
More Ways to Cleanse and Protect
There are also products I enjoy but use more sporadically. As a lifestyle blogger, I genuinely love testing new beauty products. Unfortunately, I do not have the skin—or the time—to use every product regularly.
Sometimes I forget to pack a cleanser while traveling or notice a blemish the night before an important event and make a quick trip to the beauty store. That is often when I discover something new. Some of those products earn a permanent place in my routine, while others work well but do not replace the favorites I already use consistently.
More Skincare from My Favorite Brands
Because these are thoughtful products made with quality ingredients, I have included them for you to explore as you build a routine that works for your own skin.
Have you tried any of these products? I would love to know which ones you use—or what you have incorporated into your winter beauty and skincare routine.
Comments