Skin-tertaining Simplicity: A Winter Skincare Routine with Mary&May for Dry, Sensitive, and Aging Skin

Hey everyone, Renee here! The holiday sales season can feel like a whirlwind, making it tough to sift through the deals and find truly worthwhile skincare. But I'm thrilled to share a recent discovery that's simplified my winter routine and delivered incredible results: Mary&May. This Korean skincare brand embodies a philosophy of gentle yet effective formulas, focusing on potent antioxidants and buildable lipid layers – exactly what dry, sensitive, and aging skin needs to thrive during the colder months. And the best part? They're currently having a huge sale with discounts up to 70%! I'm so excited about these products that I've compiled my top Mary&May picks for a streamlined winter routine, perfect for addressing dryness, sensitivity, and those pesky signs of aging. This routine is all about simplicity and efficacy, allowing you to easily incorporate any other targeted actives you might need. Think of it as a foundational canvas for your skin, ready to be enhanced with any specific treatments you prefer. So, let's dive in!

A good skincare routine starts with a proper cleanse, and the Mary&May Vegan Low pH Hyaluronic Gel Cleanser sets the stage beautifully. Maintaining the skin's natural pH balance is crucial, especially for sensitive skin, and this cleanser boasts a gentle, skin-friendly pH of 5.5. As you'll notice throughout this routine, Mary&May prioritizes antioxidant-rich plant extracts in their formulations. A simple rule of thumb: the darker the fruit or vegetable, the higher its antioxidant content. I personally love the vibrant berry hues in many of their products – it adds a touch of visual delight to the experience. This cleanser is no exception, harnessing the power of berries alongside ten different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid for multi-level hydration. It also includes madocassoside, a powerful soothing and healing ingredient derived from centella asiatica, and ceramides to support a healthy, resilient skin barrier.

The texture of this cleanser is a dream – a lush, soothing gel that transforms into a gentle, milky lather upon contact with water. It's not overly foamy or stripping, which is essential for dry and sensitive skin. Instead, it effectively cleanses away impurities while simultaneously soothing and hydrating. My skin feels incredibly comfortable and refreshed after cleansing, never dry or tight.

Next up is the Mary&May Idebenone and Blackberry Complex Serum, a product that has quickly become a staple in my routine. While I'm a devoted user of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), I firmly believe you can never have too many antioxidants in your skincare arsenal. This serum features a potent blend of anthocyanin-rich fruit extracts, including 20% blackberry and blueberry, delivering a concentrated dose of antioxidant protection. But the real star of the show is idabenone.

Idabenone is a powerful antioxidant that's gained significant popularity in Korean skincare but remains somewhat underrated in other parts of the world. It's a close relative of CoQ10, another antioxidant powerhouse, but is believed to be even more effective at shielding the skin from environmental stressors like sun and pollution. It also excels at mitigating existing damage, helping to reverse the visible signs of aging. I've been happily pairing this serum with my ascorbic acid, but it's a fantastic alternative for those who find Vitamin C too irritating. The serum's distinctive yellow hue comes from the natural color of idabenone, indicating its high concentration and potency. It's a simple yet incredibly effective anti-aging serum that delivers noticeable results.

The texture of this serum is remarkably lightweight – almost imperceptible on the skin. It's not a thick, viscous serum; instead, it absorbs quickly and completely, making it ideal for layering under other products and suitable for all skin types, even oily or combination skin.

Now for my absolute favorite step in any skincare routine: essence! The Mary&May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence is a unique bi-phase formula that combines the benefits of a hydrating essence and a lightweight moisturizer. The act of watching the two phases mix before application is strangely satisfying – almost meditative. (And on a side note, I appreciate Mary&May's commitment to sustainability, using easy-peel labels and recycled glass bottles – it's the little things that count!)

This cream essence perfectly embodies the concept of light, buildable lipid layers. The moisturizer portion utilizes jojoba seed oil, a lightweight emollient that closely resembles our skin's natural sebum, along with other skin-softening ingredients. The essence phase is packed with hydrating and soothing botanicals, including blackberry extract, blue lotus water (a K-beauty favorite for plumping and hydrating aging skin), centella asiatica, and ceramide NP to strengthen the skin barrier.

This cream essence delivers a burst of hydration and a refreshing feel without any heaviness or greasiness. The best part? Its buildable nature allows you to customize the level of moisture your skin needs, making it perfect for fluctuating weather conditions or changing skin needs.

The delicate skin around our eyes requires special attention, and the Mary&May Tranexamic Acid and Glutathione Eye Cream is a true standout. The texture is divine – it has just the right amount of slip for smooth application without tugging or pulling. Tranexamic acid helps brighten the under-eye area and reduce the appearance of dark circles, while glutathione, a powerful antioxidant, helps prevent the formation of milia (those tiny white bumps that can sometimes appear around the eyes). This eye cream also contains niacinamide and Vitamin C for added brightening and anti-aging benefits.

I use this eye cream both morning and night, and it layers beautifully under makeup. My concealer applies smoothly and evenly over it, without creasing or settling into fine lines. Even though I apply it to my upper eyelids as well, it doesn't feel heavy or greasy, just incredibly moisturizing. I've also noticed a significant reduction in eye makeup transfer – a major win! This eye cream has quickly become a new favorite, and I can't recommend it enough. A two-week study with 22 participants showed significant improvements in under-eye brightness, a reduction in milia, and overall improvement in pigmentation, further validating its efficacy.

The Mary&May Idebenone and Blackberry Intense Cream is the perfect finishing touch to this winter skincare routine. It delivers intense hydration without feeling heavy or greasy, making it suitable for both daytime and nighttime use, even under makeup. The finish is what I'd describe as "velvet dewy" – a perfect balance of hydration and radiance. Like the serum, this cream has a subtle yellow tint from the idabenone.

This cream features a patented skin barrier complex that not only protects the skin's delicate barrier but also strengthens its natural moisturizing ability. Clinical trials have shown impressive results: skin remains moisturized even 48 hours after application. I've definitely noticed the long-lasting hydration myself. After five uses, skin moisture is improved at a deeper level – up to 10 layers! And after two weeks of consistent use, the skin barrier is significantly stronger and more resilient. This fragrance-free cream is packed with beneficial ingredients, including blackberry extract, idabenone, five different types of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and panthenol, working synergistically to nourish and protect the skin.

No skincare routine is complete without sun protection, and the Mary&May Vegan Peptide Bakuchiol Sunstick SPF 50 PA++++ is my current go-to. I love the subtle berry tint it imparts, adding a touch of healthy color to the skin. This isn't just your average sunscreen; it's a serious anti-aging powerhouse, containing 1% bakuchiol (a plant-derived retinol alternative) and 25 different peptides. This combination is fantastic for promoting collagen production and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The application is a dream – it glides on weightlessly and has a skin-perfecting, blurring effect. I can simply swipe it on and go, no need to blend further with my fingers. It leaves a velvety, blurring finish and works beautifully for all skin types, from oily to dry.

There you have it – my complete Mary&May skincare routine for dry, sensitive, and aging skin. I'm genuinely impressed with this brand and their commitment to creating effective, gentle, and sustainable skincare. I hope this routine helps you navigate the winter months with healthy, radiant skin.