New skincare products

My skin tends to go a bit crazy in the winter, so I decided to try out some new products. I'd been meaning to get the Clarins stuff for a while and just never got around to it and the others were just on a whim purchases.
First off with the Mario Badescu hydrating moisturizer, I got a sample of this when I bought the glycolic acid toner and loved it, so I bought full size. This is a good morning moisturizer because it's not very heavy but still hydrates your skin.
The next moisturizer is the Avene hydrance optimale riche creme moisturizer, which I got as a night cream because my skin had been very dry. I was worried this might be a little too heavy, but it's perfect. It's not a very big bottle for the price ($28) but you don't need a lot and it works so well, so I think it's worth it.
The Clarins Pure Melt cleansing gel, this is a raved about product and I figured I'd try it since I've only been using the Philosophy purity wash and wanted to try something new. I'm really excited to try this and hope it's as great as it seems.
Next up is the Clarins lotus face treatment oil. I'd been meaning to buy a face oil for a while now and decided on this one because I heard it helps calm your skin and helps with breakouts, which I tend to get in the winter.
Now on to the little samples I got! With my Mario Badescu order I got the Carnation Eye makeup remover oil, which is a great product. I used it the first night I got it and I don't think i'll be going back to my old Almay remover. This got everything off, even waterproof mascara, in two seconds. It's not greasy and doesn't leave a film, and is very moisturizing. I got some other little samples but haven't had a chance to test them out yet.
With my Clarins order I got the Bright Plus intensive brightening smoothing serum, multi active day early wrinkle correction cream, and UV plus day screen high protection. I haven't tried these out but when I do I'll post a review.

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Winter skincare routine

Hello all! So since it's getting a bit cold most places (for some reason here it's in the 70's) I figured that a winter skincare routine would be in order. I don't think I use that many products, but in the winter you do need to add some things to the routine.
I rotate my treatments every other day since I use glycolic acid and so my skin doesn't get used to anything to quick.
First step is to remove my makeup with Almay oil free makeup removing liquid. I have been using this stuff for years because it doesn't break me out, isn't heavy and gets everything off. I sometimes add in wipes if I wore mascara that doesn't want to come off.
Cleansers:
Next is cleansing for which I have two cleansers. The one I am using at night is the Ponds luminous daily exfoliating cleanser which is gentle enough to use everyday. It has tiny exfoliating beads in it that actually make your skin look brighter just like it says! I usually don't like exfoliators because they're too rough or just don't do what they say but this one is perfect.
The other cleanser I use in the morning is the Philosophy purity one step facial cleanser which I'm sure everyone knows about by now. I find that it's not the best cleanser but it does its job and also softens my skin so I like it. I used to use this as my nightly cleanser but I've been needing more of a deep cleansing lately so I switched to the Ponds cleanser.
Treatments:
I use the Mario Badescu glycolic acid toner every other day to make sure all the makeup and dirt is gone and it clears up any little breakouts you may have as well. It's just a basic toner but I would say it is better than drugstore ones I have used because it's very gentle but still works very well, also for the price you get a lot of product.
Next treatment I use on the other days is Alpha H liquid gold which has an obvious cult following. I started using it after A Model Recommends on YouTube said she swears by it and it's been a mainstay in my product lineup ever since. You can use it every other day if your skin isn't very sensitive, but some people need to use it less than that. I leave it on as a treatment over night, so it's the last step in my plan and I don't use moisturizer afterwards. On the days I use my toner I use moisturizer.
Moisturizers:
I switch to the Cetaphil moisturizing lotion in the winter because I need heavier moisturizers in the winter as my skin gets very dry. This one is heavy enough to keep my skin from getting dry but is non-comedogenic so it won't break me out like other heavy ones seem to do.
Last is the Origins gin zing eye cream which I did a previous review on. It's still to soon to say anything on dark circles fading but I do notice my eye area is a lot brighter and I use less concealer. It's also good on "no makeup" days if you don't feel like wearing a ton of concealer/foundation it still makes you look more awake.

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