People often ask me how I keep my skin so radiant and firm in my 30s. The secret? A mix of healthy lifestyle choices, clean and conscious eating habits, and a skincare routine I've perfected over the years. But just like the seasons change, so does my regimen. To combat fall and winter dryness, as a New Yorker who ironically hates the cold, I rely on moisture-rich products that keep my skin soft and hydrated. Lately, I've also been more intentional about where I spend my money, prioritizing clean, inclusive brands — especially Latina-owned beauty products that meet all my skincare needs.
Latinas are powerhouse consumers, driving significant growth in the beauty industry and making a major impact on the US economy. Last year, the industry experienced a 12% growth in Latina-owned brands [1], highlighting the need for more inclusive and WOC-owned beauty lines. From nourishing face oils to ultra-hydrating serums and moisturizers, these are my go-to products for a radiant, baby-soft complexion that will keep your skin thriving through the colder seasons.
Johanna Ferreira [2] is the content director for PS Juntos. With more than 10 years of experience, Johanna focuses on how intersectional identities are a central part of Latine culture. Previously, she spent close to three years as the deputy editor at HipLatina, and she has freelanced for numerous outlets including Refinery29, Oprah magazine, Allure, InStyle, and Well+Good. She has also moderated and spoken on numerous panels on Latine identity.
Face Oil Cleanser
Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser [3] ($88)
I've been a fan of the Korean oil cleansing method for years because of how effectively it removes makeup and cleanses while also hydrating my skin. I love using the Tata Harper Nourishing Oil as the first step in my double cleansing routine. Packed with vitamins E and A, my skin feels smooth and supple after every cleanse.
What We Love
- This nourishing oil does exactly what it claims — it nourishes my skin while removing makeup and impurities.
Who It's Best For
- It's perfect for anyone committed to a double-cleansing routine.
- People who are committed to using clean and toxic-free skincare products.
The Details
- For best results, I recommend applying it directly to dry skin and massaging it into your skin in a gentle, circular motion. Then, follow up with a gentle foam or gel cleanser.
Gel Cleanser
Dezi Skin Canvas Gentle Detox Cleansing Gel [4] ($32)
For an effective double cleansing routine, a refreshing gel-based cleanser works as your final cleansing step, leaving skin squeaky clean but never dry. What I love about this particular cleanser is how smooth and hydrated my skin feels immediately after.
What We Love
- This cleanser is fragrance-free, paraben-free, triclosan-free, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and vegan free and perfect for sensitive skin types like my own.
Who It's Best For
- Works for normal, dry, combination, sensitive, and oily skin.
The Details
- I love how it's formulated with ancestral ingredients including avocado, coconut, and guava.
Serum
Joanna Vargas Daily Serum [5] ($68)
During the warmer months, face oil, moisturizer, and SPF tend to be enough for my combination skin, but during the winter, I like to layer on an ultra-hydrating serum to dry skin as the first step after cleansing to help lock in moisture. But don't be fooled by it's light-weight texture, this serum immediately adds moisture back into my skin no matter how dry or dehydrated it might be.
What We Love
- It's packed with hyaluronic acid that helps to increase skin's moisture levels, leaving skin smooth, plump, and glowing.
Who It's Best For
- It works for all skin types and is a plus for anyone who struggles with uneven skin or dark spots. Vitamin C helps leave skin brightened and radiant.
The Details
- The serum literally does it all, from hydrating, brightening, plumping, and smoothing. There's a reason why Into the Gloss named it their Best Serum in 2019.
Face Oil
Vamigas Rosa Mosqueta Organic Chilean Wild Rosehip Oil [6] ($28)
I grew up learning about the beauty benefits of rosa mosqueta (rosehip oil) that centuries of Latinas have sworn by. I layer this on right after my serum and before my moisturizer. It not only leaves my skin super moisturized all year long — regardless of the temps — but it also keeps my skin even, smooth, and bright.
What We Love
- Not all rosehip oils are made equal. This one is grown in Chile, USDA-certified organic, and wild-harvested.
Who It's Best For
- It works great on all skin types, including folks with oily skin, as it doesn't clog pores. It's also great for sensitive skin types. In addition to deeply hydrating my skin, rosehip oil helps combat my winter rosacea.
The Details
- This 100% USDA-certified organic oil is rich in vitamins A, C, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids, all ingredients known to keep skin supple and visibly radiant.
Calming Cream
Tata Harper Superkind Calming Créme [7] ($130)
Cold temperatures, dry winds, and indoor heating leave my skin dry, dehydrated, and often irritated. But the pillowy texture from this rich cream hydrates and calms my skin from any dry patches, redness, or rosacea flare-ups I might experience during the winter months.
What We Love
- After one use, my skin was instantly relieved from redness and rosacea.
Who It's Best For
- This is for anyone looking for a clean beauty product to remedy dryness and sensitive skin.
The Details
- This hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested vegan and fragrance-free moisturizer has received National Eczema Association (NEA) awards and is COSMOS Natural certified by Ecocert Greenlife according to the COSMOS Standard.
Eye Cream for Sensitive Eyes
Tata Harper Superkind Bio-Barrier Eye Créme [8] ($130)
Because my skin tends to become a lot more reactive during the colder months, I even opt for a sensitive skin eye cream like the Tata Harper Superkind Bio-Barrier Eye Créme. This soothing eye cream does everything from moisturize, smooth, calm, brighten and depuff.
What We Love
- As a contact lens wearer, I love how my eyes get less irritated and watery when I use this eye cream — in addition to all the hydrating and smoothing benefits.
Who It's Best For
- People with allergies and sensitive skin.
The Details
- This hypoallergenic, derm tested and vegan formula is also free from gluten, wheat, soy, nut derivatives, fragrances, essential oils along with 85+ common allergens and irritants making it the perfect eye cream for anyone with allergies and super sensitive skin.
Brightening Mask
Hyperskin Even Fade and Glow AHA Mask [9] ($48)
I usually incorporate a brightening mask into my weekly routine to keep my skin from looking dull during the drier winter months. These days, I love the Hyperskin Even Fade and Glow AHA Mask that keeps my skin bright and fades any dark spots that might come up after a random breakout.
What We Love
- All I have to do is apply a dime-sized amount to freshly washed and damp skin 1-2 times a week, leaving it on for about 15 minutes before rinsing, and I notice an almost immediate difference in my skin's radiance.
Who It's Best For
- This mask is gold for anyone trying to even their complexion or fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
The Details
- This brightening mask is formulated with everything from turmeric, sea buckthorn, mandelic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, papaya extra, vitamin E, and niacinamide that all work to reduce discoloration, boost collagen production, fight free radicals, exfoliate, strengthen the skin's barrier, soothe inflammation and leave skin looking even and glowy.
Retinol
Joanna Vargas Super Nova Serum [10] ($295)
As someone with super sensitive skin, finding a retinol that doesn't leave my skin red and flakey is always a challenge. But the Joanna Vargas Super Nova Serum is formulated with calming ingredients, including chamomile, to help calm and soothe skin from irritation and redness.
What We Love
- I appreciate how this retinol formula not only improves the texture of my skin by reducing my pores and leaves my complexion visibly brighter but also boosts my skin's natural hydration by only using this 3 to 4 evenings a week. I know it's pricey, but considering this is the only retinol on the market that effectively works without flaring up my rosacea — I'd say it's worth it, especially for the sensitive skin girlies out there. Plus, 2-3 drops per use goes a very long way.
Who It's Best For
- People with sensitive skin who want to incorporate retinol into their evening skincare regimen.
The Details
- This antioxidant-rich formula does everything from improving skin's texture, reducing acne, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, tightening and firming, and visibly brightening skin, all while keeping it moisturized even during the winter months. Before hitting the sack, I usually layer on a water-based night cream or overnight mask for some additional moisture.
Brightening Eye Cream
Tata Harper Brightening Eye Gel [11] ($74)
For the mornings my under-eyes need an instant pick-me-up I opt for the Tata Harper Brightening Eye Gel ($74). Not only does it instantly depuff, hydrate, and brighten with a cooling applicator tip, but the illuminating finish almost works like a highlight concealer for your eyes.
What We Love
- It's the all-in-one eye cream we've been searching far and wide for.
- It brightens up dark circles so significantly — you can skip the concealer.
Who It's Best For
- Anyone who is struggling with either tired, puffy eyes or dark undereye circles.
The Details
- For best results, I recommend leaving the eye gel in your fridge overnight. It instantly depuffs eyes and promotes circulation in that area.
Hydrating Cream
Joanna Vargas Daily Hydrating Cream [12] ($75)
There's a reason why this moisturizer is a best-seller. Formulated with a unique botanical blend, this buttery — but not greasy — this facial cream instantly leaves skin hydrated, renewed, and smoother.
What We Love
- I love how intensely hydrating it is without clogging my pores or breaking me out. It's also easy to wear under sunscreen and makeup. So messy buildup here.
Who It's Best For
- Anyone whose skin needs a hydration booster this fall or winter.
The Details
- While shea butter and jojoba oil may seem heavy for the face, galactoarabinan, a naturally-derived alpha-hydroxy acid works to balance the skins oils while gently exfoliating away dead skin cells — keeping skin smooth and even.