THE WINTER SKINCARE ROUTINE THAT’S TOTALLY CHANGED MY SKIN
I have dry, oily, and sensitive skin, and my face is often red and irritated. The winter dryness only makes it worse, which is why I scheduled a dermatology appointment last month. My dermatologist told me that I had been overdoing it with harsh creams, acids, and serums, and advised me to simplify and soften my skincare routine. Each product I now use is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and free from parabens, dyes, alcohol, and phthalates. They’re all formulated with prebiotic oat, an antioxidant that helps soothe skin and nourish the moisture barrier. The results have been amazing, and my skin has never felt so calm.
If you struggle with sensitive skin, keep reading for my new winter skincare routine! It’s just five simple steps, and trust me, you’ll never settle for irritated skin again.
When my dermatologist recommended simplifying my skincare routine, I knew I had to make some serious changes. I went from about ten steps (depending on the time of day) to just four core steps, plus SPF in the morning. Here’s my new routine:
PRE-CLEANSE
My skin is dry, oily, sensitive, and prone to breakouts. So, I start by pulling my hair back and massaging a gentle cleanser onto my dry face. This step helps remove makeup, sunscreen, and any daily buildup like dirt and grime.
MOISTURIZING OATMEAL CLEANSER
Next, I wet my face with warm (not hot!) water, and use a gentle moisturizing oatmeal cleanser. This cleanser hydrates while it cleanses, leaving my skin feeling soft and nourished. I massage 1-2 pumps into my skin in circular motions for about a minute, then pat my face dry.
TRIPLE OAT SERUM
Once my face is dry, I apply 3-4 drops of a serum formulated with a Triple Oat Complex (oatmeal, oat extract, and oat oil). This serum instantly makes my skin feel smoother and more hydrated after just one use. It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t leave a greasy residue. Plus, the dropper makes it easy to dispense just the right amount—no more wasted product!
OAT GEL MOISTURIZER
After the serum has dried, I apply a generous amount of an oat gel moisturizer to my face and neck, massaging it in with upward and outward motions. This moisturizer is formulated with prebiotic oat, which soothes sensitive skin and helps repair the moisture barrier. As someone with combination oily skin, I appreciate that it’s a lightweight gel that absorbs easily, leaving my skin hydrated without feeling greasy.
SPF
Lastly, I finish my routine with a daily sunscreen that has SPF 30. Both my mom and my dermatologist would be disappointed if I didn’t mention this step—sun damage can seriously harm your skin, even on cloudy days. I make sure to apply sunscreen every morning, even if I’m staying indoors, to protect my skin from sunburn and the harmful effects of pollution and blue light.
And that’s it! This simple, winter-friendly skincare routine has completely transformed my sensitive skin. If you’re looking for gentle products that nourish without irritation, you can find everything I use at Target or on Target.com.
Thanks so much for reading!
12 SIMPLE FALL PLANTER IDEAS TO ELEVATE YOUR SEASONAL DECOR
Fall isn’t just about pumpkin carving and warm apple pie; it’s also the perfect time to refresh your seasonal decor as the major holidays approach. For many, creating a stunning fall container display filled with vibrant plants and planters can feel overwhelming. With the rich textures, colorful contrasts, and cozy hues of green, purple, blue, red, and brown that define autumn, it’s easy to feel daunted!
To help you avoid endless scrolling on Pinterest and the stress of where to begin, we’ve curated 12 fall container garden ideas that will elevate the front of your home and leave your neighbors in awe!
Herb Gardening During Fall
This rustic hanging arrangement can also serve as a mini herb garden. Instead of opting for typical green foliage, consider using herbs to add edible elements to your container garden. Imagine the delightful aroma of fresh cilantro, golden lemon thyme, and Italian oregano flourishing in your hanging planters.
Most of these herb plants grow tall in the fall and will die back during winter, so be sure to harvest them before the cold truly sets in.
One Drop of Pumpkin Spice
Nothing enhances a front porch in the fall quite like golden pumpkins. Whether they’re short and bumpy or smooth and tall, we love arranging pumpkins of all colors and shapes to bring a touch of excitement to the annual pumpkin patch right at your front steps.
FAUX PUMPKINS
A budget-friendly design trick for your fall container garden is to incorporate older or even broken faux pumpkins. These can be nestled among your foliage for added charm. To create a fuller and more vibrant display, consider spraying them with colorful acrylic paint. This will not only enhance their appearance but also ensure they last throughout the season and even into winter, providing festive decor for years to come.
Hanging Container Gardens
Blooming with vibrant annual flowers, perennials, or lush succulents, hanging baskets provide the perfect finishing touch to your home’s exterior. You can also enjoy your fall container baskets from inside, as the stunning tops of flowers and plants peek just below the window frame.
Add cheerful yellow garden pansies and radiant marigolds for a vibrant burst of color in your planter, along with baby kale to introduce a touch of purple.
The key to achieving a rustic aesthetic is to avoid overplanting the basket. Giving your flowers space to breathe will enhance the overall look of the arrangement. Since hanging baskets can become quite heavy, consider filling the bottom with empty plastic bottles before topping them off with potting soil. This will help keep the basket light and manageable.
Container Garden with Spotlight Purple
Bring the glorious colors of fall right to your door by combining vibrant tones of orange and yellow with cool shades of purple and blue in a single pot.
This ceramic pot, featuring a subtle shade of turquoise, showcases a variety of beautiful plants that create a stunning seasonal display.
A CHARMING SECRET GARDEN
When container gardening, it’s always best to work from back to front. Start by adding tall plants at the rear, such as purple ruby grass and Hameln fountain grass, to create texture. In the front, place chrysanthemums and marigolds to trail gracefully over the edge. For a striking touch, include a bold, single-note purple kale—one of our favorite vegetables—at the bottom. Finally, tuck in some greens to fill in any gaps, achieving a balanced look for this contrasting color palette.
A Fall Planter with a Blaze of Orange
A fantastic tip for fall planters is to leverage the height of ornamental grasses to create balance in a large planter box.
Start by filling your planter with tall, dramatic grasses such as fountain grass, ruby grass, maiden grass, or Indian grass. For an extra pop of color at the bottom, add flowering kale or cabbage. The rich gold, orange, and purple hues will beautifully complement a farmhouse-style planter, brightening up your shaded front porch. This stunning fall display will last until your first frost.
Ornamental kale and its cousin, ornamental cabbage, are the stars of the season. Requiring minimal maintenance while delivering a striking visual impact, this vibrant combination features fall favorites and a blaze of orange that’s sure to turn heads.
A Dose of Green
Looking to enhance the beauty and interest of your home’s exterior while boosting your curb appeal? Window boxes are the perfect landscaping solution to showcase your style.
This stunning fall container features a harmonious palette of greens and whites. At the center, white caladium plants create a focal point, with greens evenly spaced around them. Fill any empty spaces with white violas nestled between the grey-leafed Lamium and variegated English ivy, finishing the box with a ring of white sweet alyssum. The graceful Creeping Jenny spilling over the sides adds the final touch of elegance.
What’s truly unexpected is how effortlessly this window box maintains a palette of greens, relying on tone and variation to create a harmonious blend of color and shape. While it may be a window box, it’s anything but confined. With regular watering, these plants will thrive in a partially shady spot throughout the season and into winter.
Perennials Make Good Fall Plant Partners
Evergreen perennial plants are an excellent addition to your fall containers, as they can withstand light frost and help protect other plants from freezing temperatures.
Creeping Jenny, a trailing evergreen perennial with small, waxy round leaves on slender stems, is particularly effective for container gardening alongside more delicate plants and flowers. When frost threatens, simply use the trailing leaves to cover the soil around the vulnerable plants. This will act as a natural mulch, helping to keep them warm and insulated.
Additionally, perennials add a stunning touch to your front porch, with plants like Bloody Geraniums transforming into vibrant shades of red and brown in the fall.
Dress Up Your Front Porch Fall Container Garden
Layer your entrance or walkway with a cascading arrangement of the season’s most popular gourds, flowers, and fall-themed plants. This beautiful display will greet you warmly every day as you come home.
CREATE A CONTRAST OF FALL COLORS
Incorporate a handful of fall hues—yellow, orange, and red—to create that iconic seasonal display. Fill your front porch with an assortment of faux pumpkins, straw bales, and dried fall foliage at the base for a look that remains beautiful all season long. This combination results in a cozy porch that beckons you to sit and enjoy a sunset with a warm mug of apple cider!
Cheeky Hideaway
Picture this stunning paper flower gracing a dreamy garden or a light-filled screened porch. The lanterns are adorned with classic patterns and faux-flame candles, adding a romantic touch, but it’s the overall arrangement that truly evokes a sense of magic.
The secret to achieving this dreamy look lies in incorporating signature decor items. Beautiful lanterns, candles, and vibrant spires of both white and pink Bougainvillea glabra come together in a cascade of bright colors, creating a festive atmosphere. Set in an ornamental shape, the simple monochrome tone of the lantern invites you to imagine stepping into a wonderland.
Fall Favorites
Infuse your front porch with a touch of farmhouse style by filling oversized, rustic wicker containers with delightful fall blooms. If you find a single pot a bit dull, we recommend using two fall planters to showcase the fresh bounty of autumn.
Select containers that resonate with you; metal laundry pots are especially durable and can withstand strong winds. The left fall container garden features Helichrysum Icicles at the back, accompanied by Creeping Jenny, pansies, flowering kale, black-eyed Susans, and Sedum Autumn Joy. While yellow pansies and kale are excellent choices for a vibrant fall display, the silvery foliage of the Icicles licorice plant adds a perfect accent to round out the season.
The wire basket on the right showcases Swiss chard, ornamental peppers, pansies, black-eyed Susans, and golden sage. The annual pansies provide vibrant late-season color, while the peppers add a touch of summer red, creating a striking contrast. This fragrant combination of purple and red continues to thrive through winter, ensuring a blooming display all season long.
Polish Off Fall Planters with Succulent Glory
You won’t find any plants better suited for growing in pots than succulents. Native primarily to arid regions, these resilient plants store water in their fleshy leaves, stems, and roots, allowing them to withstand drought conditions. With a wide variety of colors, shapes, and patterns, succulents offer endless possibilities for creating beautiful combinations.
It’s ideal to use a wide, extra-large planter to accommodate the spreading nature of each succulent. Modernize your fall accents with a playful mix of these plants, allowing their dense foliage to cover the entire surface of the soil. With their incredible variety and elegant architectural forms, succulents are irresistibly drawing us to the “green” side.
Cottage Charmer
Who needs fall flowers when you can turn to colorful foliage and leafy perennials to create a fall-worthy symphony? Add pops of purple, mini pumpkins, and hearty cabbage and purple kale to an old wooden dough bowl for a stunning display. Sugar Plum Heuchera, Red Giant mustard, and ornamental kale and cabbage are arranged directly in the bowl, forming a cool purple foundation that enhances the seasonal aesthetic.
Next, add various greens like Creeping Jenny, Lemon Ball sedum, and Ogon sedum (keeping them in their containers) to brighten the deep purple color palette. Fill in any empty areas with moss to conceal the containers, and tuck in some white mini pumpkins for a delightful seasonal touch.
conclusion
Incorporating these elements into your seasonal decor not only enhances the beauty of your space but also invites a sense of warmth and wonder. By thoughtfully selecting plants, lanterns, and signature decor items, you can create a stunning display that reflects the vibrant spirit of fall. Whether you’re setting the scene for a cozy evening at home or preparing for festive gatherings, these design ideas will help you cultivate an inviting atmosphere that captures the essence of the season.
