Fall-to-Winter Skincare Routine for NYC Living.
Featuring My Favorite Products from The Outset — With My Real Thoughts + ShopMy Links
The second the temperature dips in New York, my skin goes into full dramatic mode. Tightness, flakes, burning cheeks when the wind hits me on 125th, and that dull, tired look from radiator heat. Every year I tweak my skincare based on what my skin is going through — and after plenty of trial and error (and a few “why did I do that?” moments), these are the products that truly survive fall-to-winter in NYC and what they actually do for me.
I’m sharing the exact routine I’ve been using lately, including several products from The Outset — a brand I use all the time and genuinely love. I’m also adding ShopMy-friendly callouts so you can link easily without sounding like you’re pushing anything.
The Fall-to-Winter Staples I Rely On
Here are the products I pull to the front of my shelf the moment NYC turns cold — plus little notes on why I personally swear by them.
✨ The Outset Favorites (My Personal Standouts)
The Outset Botanical Barrier Rescue Balm:
My testimonial:
This balm has saved my cheeks more times than I can count. Every time I come home from filming outside in Harlem or running errands on a windy day, my skin feels chapped — this melts right in and calms everything down. It’s one of the only products that stops that tight, burning feeling immediately.
shop it here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-10674996
The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum:
My testimonial:
I call this my “NYC survival serum.” It’s hydrating, plumping, and never pills under makeup or SPF — which matters when you're filming all day or running around on the subway. I notice a difference on mornings when I use it: my skin looks more awake and way less dull.
shop it here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-7720012
The Outset Lip Oasis™ Glossy Lip Treatment
My testimonial:
This is always in my coat pocket. Always. The wind on 110th Street will humble you — and this keeps my lips moisturized without feeling sticky. It gives that glossy-but-not-too-glossy look I love in cold weather videos.
shop it here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-13450790
✨ Other Winter-Proof Essentials I Rotate
🌙 Evening Routine: Repair Mode After a Day in NYC
Evening is where the magic happens. This is when your skin recovers from the wind tunnels, pollution, and indoor heat.
1. Double Cleanse
Start with a cleansing balm: https://go.shopmy.us/p-10529058
Follow with a gentle gel or cream cleanser.
My testimonial:
On the days I’m filming outdoors or riding the subway a lot, double cleansing is nonnegotiable. It’s the only way my skin doesn’t feel congested or tight.
2. Hydrating Layer + Prep Serum
Apply your hydrating toner, then layer:
The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum.
My testimonial:
This step is my “please bring me back to life” moment. It makes my skin feel bouncy again after a long day.
shop it here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-13211629
3. Gentle Exfoliation (1–2x a Week)
Stick to a mild exfoliant — NYC winter is not the time to go hard.
shop my favorite here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-31350194
4. Barrier Repair
Use The Outset Botanical Barrier Rescue Balm on cheeks, nose, and chin.
My testimonial:
If I skip this, I regret it the next morning. My cheeks especially — NYC wind just does not play.
shop it here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-13211641
5. Moisturizer (Go Rich at Night)
shop my fav. here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-22791125
6. Optional: Face Oil
Press in a few drops of your go-to oil.
shop it here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-13211632
7. Lip Care
Apply The Outset Lip Oasis™ Glossy Lip Treatment before bed.
My testimonial:
This is the only product that keeps my lips soft throughout the night when my radiator is blasting.
shop it here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-31350321
🌅 Morning Routine: Protection Mode Before Facing NYC
Everything about the morning routine is about shielding your skin from wind, dryness, and pollution.
1. Gentle Cleanse or Just Rinse
If your skin feels dry, skip cleanser.
shop my favs: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/1281110
2. Hydration + Serum Layer
Hydrating toner → The Outset Vegan Collagen Prep Serum
My testimonial:
This combo makes my skin look alive even when I’m dead tired. Perfect under makeup.
3. Barrier Layer + Moisturizer
Use a ceramide serum or light barrier balm, then moisturizer.
Cocokind Ceramide Barrier Serum: A lightweight, no-frills serum with five types of ceramides + squalane + beta-glucan. Very effective, derm-tested, and usually around $22.
Cetaphil Ceramide Serum: Clinically proven to hydrate for 48 hours and help repair the skin barrier in a week. Includes ceramides and centella (CICA) to soothe.
Tower 28 SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream: More of a light balm/cream than a typical serum — great if you want something richer but still non-greasy. Around $14 for their mini size.
4. SPF — No Matter What
Even on gray winter days.
shop my fav here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-31349748
5. Lip + Hand Protection
Carry The Outset Lip Oasis™ in your bag + a travel hand cream.
My testimonial:
The number of times I’ve been on the subway like “why are my hands white?”... winter in NYC is humbling.
NYC-Specific Winter Skin Tips I Live By
Use a humidifier — radiators dry you out FAST.
Keep mini hydration in your bag.
Protect your cheeks from scarf friction.
Shorter showers.
Swap pillowcases more often in winter.
The Bottom Line:
NYC winter doesn’t have to mean dry, irritated skin at all. With thoughtful, smart layering, barrier-supporting skincare products, and a few simple yet effective tweaks to your routine, you can maintain a healthy, radiant glow even through the coldest, windiest days of the season. The Outset’s winter-friendly products — combined with my tried-and-true skincare staples — make this seasonal transition feel not only manageable but genuinely enjoyable and refreshing.
DISCLOSURE: SOME OF THE LINKS IN THIS POST ARE AFFILIATE LINKS AND IF YOU CLICK THROUGH OR MAKE A PURCHASE I WILL EARN A COMMISSION. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT I ONLY SHARE ABOUT BRANDS/COMPANIES THAT I ADORE VERY MUCH.
The second the temperature dips in New York, my skin goes into full dramatic mode. Tightness, flakes, burning cheeks when the wind hits me on 125th, and that dull, tired look from radiator heat. Every year I tweak my skincare based on what my skin is going through — and after plenty of trial and error (and a few “why did I do that?” moments), these are the products that truly survive fall-to-winter in NYC and what they actually do for me.