It’s not practical to carry all the products in your multi-step skincare routine in your handbag, but you can still treat your skin right when you’re on the go. Doing so is especially necessary during winter, when the elements can dry your skin, making it feel rough, flaky, and papery. The secret is curating an edit of portable skincare essentials you can slip into a chic pouch and take with you to feel refreshed and radiant anytime, anywhere.
Here’s what everyone should have on their list of handbag essentials this winter:
Daily Moisturizer with SPF
Skin-protecting SPF products are a must, even if you’ll be indoors all day during winter. (Certain UV rays can penetrate glass windows or cloud cover, for instance.) A day cream with sunscreen lets you hydrate your skin while also preventing sun damage that can lead to fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and loss of elasticity, among other issues.
Sunscreen
If your favorite moisturizer doesn’t have SPF, then a small tube of sunscreen will be one of your purse essentials. The sunscreen you choose should have broad-spectrum coverage, to neutralize UVA and UVB rays, and a minimum 30 SPF. If you’ll spend a lot of time being active outdoors, be sure to reapply according to the product instructions, and cover all exposed skin, even your neck, tips of the ears, and back of the hands.
Lip Balm
Prevent dry, chapped lips with a soothing, moisturizing balm. Choose a lip balm with plant-derived emollients such as candelilla wax, shea butter, and castor seed oil, as well as nourishing ingredients including vitamin E. Easy to tote, lip balm is a classic handbag essential because it will help your lips look soft and plump even during the coldest days.
Hand Sanitizer
We’ve all learned the importance of hand sanitizer over the past couple of years. It’s a must-have during winter, when colds, flu, and other illnesses run rampant. The alcohol in hand sanitizer is a proven germ killer, so it’s a good stop-gap for keeping your hands clean until you can wash them with soap and water.
Hand Cream
Unfortunately, the alcohol in hand sanitizer also dries the delicate skin on your hands. Unless you moisturize regularly, your hands may be prone to painful cracking and chapping. Like your lip balm, this is another essential skincare product where a rich and creamy texture makes all the difference. Apply hand cream as often as you feel your hands need it, especially after washing your hands.
Other Purse Essentials
You’ll want to make room in your bag for these supplemental products that work with your skincare essentials to protect and condition your skin during winter.
Facial Mist
Need to revive your skin after a long winter’s day? Carry a facial mist for a quick burst of hydration. You’ll appreciate the soothing feel of a facial mist if chilly winds irritate and redden your skin. Look for a product with vitamins and botanicals on the ingredient list.
Gloves
Before going out for the day, apply your hand cream and then slip on a pair of soft winter gloves to lock in moisture for smooth, supple skin. Gloves are also ideal for protecting your hands during cold, low-humidity days.
Face Oil
Just a drop or two of high-quality face oil not only seals moisture into the skin, but it also helps your complexion glow. Face oil improves the appearance of your tone and texture, while minimizing the look of lines and wrinkles. Use face oil on its own, or blend it with the daily moisturizer in your purse.
Eye Drops
Blustery winds can leave eyes feeling dry. To ease the discomfort, you may find yourself rubbing your eyes–but all that does is pull on the thin skin of the eye area. Avoid the problem entirely by carrying a bottle of eye drops along with your essential skincare.
Tissues
You can’t leave the house without a pack of tissues to get you through the winter. Splurge on tissues that are the plushest possible (some may be infused lotion, coconut oil, aloe vera, or other softeners), so your face isn’t rubbed raw when coughing or sneezing.
Augustinus Bader Handbag Essentials
Take Augustinus Bader with you this winter. Here are some of our recommendations for packable skincare essentials:
And browse our complete collection of skincare, from The Eyebrow and Lash Enhancing Serum to The Body Cream, to add luminosity to your skin that will warm up the coldest days.
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