For those with dry skin, winter can be a nightmare. I'm talking about dry, flaky areas in and around the forehead, nose and chin (aka the T-zone), itchiness and irritation.
The weather outside may be frightful, but why should your skin have to suffer the consequences? Switching out your usual skincare for a specific winter routine can help combat dry, sensitive skin by giving it that added moisture and hydration it needs.
I struggle with combination skin, meaning I'm graced with dry, oily and sensitive skin all at once (cue sarcastic yay). And during the harsh, eight-month-long winter in Alberta, my skin is constantly irritated. That's why I was happy to try out Aveeno's Restorative Skin Therapy Collection and Aveeno Calm and Restore line.
I've been using Aveeno products as part of my summer skincare routine for a while. They were recommended to me by a relative, and since I started using them, I have become an Aveeno devotée.
I was super excited to try both collections to see if they worked just as well.
Courtesy of Kianni Reynolds-Lewis
First Impressions
I was really happy to see the directions on both the box and the bottles. Many companies only put them on the packaging, so you either have to remember the steps or keep a bunch of bulky boxes that just clutter up your bathroom.
Each product also described the benefits of its key ingredients, which I thought was neat. It was nice to know what I was putting on my body and how it was meant to help.
Being someone with highly sensitive skin, I appreciated that everything was fragrance-free too. I find a lot of fragrance-free products can smell of chemicals or plastic, but that wasn't a problem here.
Each product smelt pleasantly neutral but fresh, and they're all made without parabens or phthalates.
About The Products
I used all three products in Aveeno's Restorative Skin Therapy Collection — the Repairing Cream, Soothing Body Wash and Itch Relief Balm.
All the products are made with prebiotic oat to restore sensitive, distressed and dry skin. Other key ingredients are aloe, best known for its soothing properties, and provitamin B5, which helps with dryness.
The Aveeno Calm and Restore line consists of three products as well — the Nourishing Oat Cleanser, Triple Oat Serum and Oat Gel Moisturizer.
Prebiotic oat is key here too. It's meant to help strengthen your skin's natural moisture barrier, which takes a beating during the cold, dry winter months.
All the products from the Calm and Restore line are hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic (meaning they won't clog your pores) and made with feverfew, a plant ingredient known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
My Aveeno Routine
I was nervous to completely switch up my routine. It's taken me years to perfect the one I had going because of how sensitive my skin is. But I was encouraged by the beneficial ingredients in all the products. Plus, my skin really needed the extra hydration.
I decided to jump right into things, so I tried out the Soothing Body Wash during my morning shower. The scent was neutral and pleasant.
At first use, my pump was a little stiff so the three small pumps I got weren't quite enough for a good lather, and I ended up adding two bigger pumps which seemed to do the trick.
The body wash wasn't overly sudsy like regular soap, but it still felt creamy. It didn't feel stripping at all, unlike past body washes I've used, so that impressed me.
Courtesy of Kianni Reynolds-Lewis
I like to apply lotion while still a little damp, so after a gentle pat dry, I applied the Repairing Cream. For something so rich and hydrating, it wasn’t greasy at all, which made me extremely happy. Once it was absorbed, it left my body feeling nice and silky.
Next was the Nourishing Oat Cleanser. This face wash goes on super smooth, and once I'd dried my face, my skin felt fairly supple.
Pro tip: use an alcohol-free toner to your face right after cleansing and before adding any serums or creams to remove excess oils and help restore your skin's pH level. An imbalanced pH level is a big cause of dry skin.
After that, I applied three drops of the Triple Oat Serum. The directions say to apply on your hands, but I used the dropper right above my cheeks and forehead.
If you do this too, take care to not touch your dropper to your skin. You don't want to accidentally put other products in the serum when you put the lid back on.
It was my first time using a serum and it was such a nice experience. It glided over my freshly cleaned skin and felt so hydrating as I massaged it in.
I then used the Oat Gel Moisturizer, and it felt super hydrating too. Like the serum, it dried fairly quickly and left my skin feeling light and fresh.
My final step was the Itch Relief Balm. During the winter, my lower back can get a little dry and itchy. The balm felt cool as it went on, and this feeling lasted a little while after the product was rubbed in. It felt really nice and didn't take long for the itch to subside..
How My Skin Reacted To The Products
Courtesy of Kianni Reynolds-Lewis
It's important to be patient when starting new skincare products. Depending on what you're using, it can take approximately 28 days to see any lasting results.
With that in mind, I used all the products twice a day (except the body wash, which I only used in the mornings) to reap as many benefits as possible.
I wasn't expecting any dramatic changes or effects, but my legs, thighs and arms stayed soft and smooth for at least 12 hours after using the repairing cream.
Every other lotion I've tried has only lasted a few hours before I'd have to reapply. For this reason, the Restorative Skin Therapy Repairing Cream is my favourite Aveeno product hands-down.
I can't stress enough how sensitive my skin is. I was super cautious to look out for reactions, but I can happily say I had none.
Final Thoughts
Aveeno’s Restorative Skin Therapy Collection helped my arms and legs stay smooth all day and night. I love to apply lotion before bed, and even though I ended up missing one night, I still woke up with silky smooth skin.
I'm also a big face-toucher. I know, the first rule of skincare is to not touch your face, but I always have little itches here and there that I can't help but scratch.
Since making the switch to Aveeno’s Calm and Restore line, I've only touched my face a few times total as opposed to every hour. So that's a nice perk.
The Itch Relief Balm also really helped. I wasn't expecting any further results after my initial use, but it kept my back moisturized and itch free every time I used it.
Courtesy of Kianni Reynolds-Lewis
With the Aveeno products, my face doesn't lose its moisture throughout the day as it did prior to my skincare routine switch up. I have textured skin, and my face usually feels tight by about 4 p.m. every day. Now, my skin stays light and hydrated until bedtime.
Overall, I'm really pleased with the results I've noticed so far with the Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy Collection and Aveeno Calm and Restore line. My skin has never felt softer. I've also noticed my skin has more of a glow that lasts all day too.
I definitely recommend any of these products to anyone with dry, sensitive or combination skin like me.
Though, it's important to remember that everyone's skin is different. What might work for me may not work for you.
Be sure to follow the directions on the label and to do a patch test before adding a new product to your routine. If you're really unsure, contact a dermatologist to see what's right for you.
To find out more about Aveeno's Restorative Skin Therapy Collection and Calm and Restore lines, check out Aveeno's website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
