There’s just not enough time in the day to explain my love for Winter. The days of snuggling up with hot cocoa and watching Hallmark movies until dark have been in full swing since halloween, Christmas is days away and I’ve welcomed the dry cold months with open arms.
But in my daydreams of December, I’ve romanticized what winter looks like and I’ve forgotten to factor in one unfavorable downfall of crisp air and cool temperatures: dry skin season is here, and this year I’ve ruled out dehydrated skin as something I wanna fret about this holiday season.
Whether you’re like me and are already in the woes of seasonal dryness or simply want to stop dry skin in its tracks, it’s important to stock up on all types of moisturizers for the cold days. I’ve tried approximately one million different products (give or take) that have claimed to lock in moisture to foster soft, glowing skin. After years of seasonally struggling with eczema, chapped lips, a peeling nose, and dry hair, I’ve built up quite the army of products to help to treat the most stubborn dry, rough, and dull skin in the game.
Check out these 12 holy grail products that have my back this Winter:
B O D Y
TIP: Change up your body wash and moisturizer
When I’m dealing with an eczema flare-up on the body, I have to forgo anything scented and focus specifically on eczema-clearing and soothing products. If you’re in the same boat, with dryness and eczema, please keep in mind scents play a big roll in not helping. Products made for eczema and extreme dryness is what will really help.
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Olay Body Wash
Before the dry skin even happens, hit it hard with this body wash. My all time favorite! It has a little bit of exfoliation and makes your skin soft while also moisturizing it! It’s a nice creamy wash and you can tell a difference even after the shower.
Jergens Healing Lotion
Your dry hands are gone! And along with winter, it’s the corona + flu season, so that means washing your hands again and again (yay!) which leads to drying them out… and this hand lotion smells so good and conveniently portable!
Isle of Paradise Tanning Spray
I’ve only ever used a self tanning lotion, this was something very new to me. But, I love this spray! You moisturize then sprite this all over and mix it in with a tanning mitt and you’ve got a perfect glowing tan and soft skin. I find my dry skin patches aren’t so noticeable with this! I’m a firm believer in this stuff!
Cetaphil Unscented Skin Body Wash
This is a product I haven’t tried personally, but I’ve seen lots of people use this and instantly see results. Little to no bumps and moisturized skin?! Still moisturize afterwards, but this is a great start.
T I P: Always blot skin dry after a shower
To keep your skin hydrated and avoid over-exfoliation (which can cause your flare-ups to get even worse because the area gets aggravated), make sure you blot your skin dry with a towel after a bath or shower instead of wiping or scrubbing at your skin. It’s a small step that makes a huge difference over time!
H A I R
Aloe Vera
Don’t knock it till you try it. My hairdresser once recommend me to use aloe vera on my scalp the nights before I know I’ll shower in the morning and sleep with it on (if you’re a night shower-er, you could also apply it and remove after an hour). It does the same for a dry scalp that it does with sun burned skin, soothes and calms. If you get those bumps and patches, get you some aloe!
OGX Color Protect Oil
This is hands down one of my favorite hair care products for when my hair gets dry + brittle. A few sprays on towel dried hair, comb through with a wide tooth comb and blow dry.. perfection. Makes my hair smell amazing + my hair comes out soft and doesn’t feel so tacky and unnatural.
L’Oreal Paris Leave in Conditioner
Revive long + damaged hair inch by inch while strengthening hair’s length and help seal split ends. This leave in conditioner reduces breakage and offers 450 degree heat protection with fine castor oil and vitamins B3 and B5. Nothing but good things about this.
OGX Keratin Oil Shampoo
I truly admire OGX brand and all the products they have to offer. One of my more budget-friendly options for a shampoo that helps with the texture and smoothness of your hair while also helping halt those split ends and strength it with a sulfate free formula.
Virtue Recovery Shampoo
Now, this is a more boujee shampoo but I’ve heard so many people rave about this! If your hair is truly on the verge of break off, this is what you need in your life. Immediate changes to dull, split hair!
F A C E
T I P: “Sandwich” your acids with moisture
In the winter months, you want to focus on keeping your skin as moisturized as possible. As most know, acids and retinol can cause a lot of dryness and strip the skin; however, there are ways to still keep them in your routine without all the irritation. Build your skincare routine around that drying product, making sure to include moisturizing products and ingredients before and after. An easy way to do this is by using a light moisturizer, then applying an acid, and then going over top with a facial oil. You can also do this with hydrating toners, sleeping masks, and more.
Mario Badescu Spray
One way or another I know you’ve seen this spray. On Instagram, ulta shelves, either way.. If you haven’t caved in and bought it, you’re missing out. This spray truly changed lives. (idrk) I wake up in the morning and spritz it on, and even keep a bottle on hand that way if I feel my skin get cakey and dry, I can mist some and maintain a hydrated look.
Instant cleansing balm
I will rave about this stuff until I’m blue in the face! Throw away all those makeup wipes away and throw in this amazing stuff! Instead of wiping away and rarely getting all that makeup off, this melts away all the makeup and leaves an easy mess to wash up. Nourishing sea buckthorn oil, camellia oil, and shea butter effectively removes makeup while ensuring that skin isn’t stripped of its essential moisture. This is a product I’ll use all year long.
Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum
I first heard about this product from a really good friend of mine. I tried it for myself and I’m telling y’all…. For $6?! You cant beat this. It’s a product that leans on having a moisturizer to go with, so adding this to your routine will make such a difference and not be so sticky instead of being used alone.
Visha Skincare Moisturizer
Something I’ll be adding to my winter skincare routine, this visha moisturizer is one that Dr. Patel suggested using after taking a shower or bath when the skin is still damp because it’ll help prevent all of that water loss and keep the skin supple and moist. I’ve not once seen a bad review on this!
Burt’s Bees Lip Treatment
An overnight lip mask is one of the best things you can do to up the hydration of your lips. A lot of people swear by this one from Laneige. One night with this on, and your lips will feel brand spanking new.
Purity Face Cleanser
Although some say it’s pricey, for the amount and how little it takes to actually clean your face, this product is so good! Not harmful, but does rid your face of old grit and grim and I double it as a makeup remover. I use it to remove makeup and then to clean up.
T I P: Use ALL of your moisturizing facial products on your lips
Don’t forget to bring all of those products you use on your face onto your lips! Serums, moisturizers, facial oils, and more should be used on your lips too.
Aquaphor Lip Repair
Of course this is a product that literally does not leave the house without me and I do not leave home without it. A favorite of mine that works miraculous + on the spot. This little tube works like a charm every. winter.
T I P: Find a mask-friendly lip balm
My lips have been getting so dry from being under my mask all the time, but most of my squeezy-tube and tub lip balms are too sticky and get stuck to the inside. So, I put myself on the hunt for the best mask-friendly balms I could bring in my bag to reapply under my mask any time I was out and about.
SugarTherapy Lip Balm
A pricey lip balm no doubt, but for someone who has major crusty lips in 2020, this is for you! An amazing balm to wear after a skin routine and then wake up with soft lips.
Weleda Lip Balm
A cheaper option and made of gentle ingredients, including jojoba oil, precious rose wax it provides a light gloss, so still cute! Cruelty-free and always free from synthetic preservatives/fragrances.
Winky Lux Matcha Lip Balm
This lip balm smells like coconuts and has an incredibly soft, smooth, nourishing balm. It’s infused with avocado oil and coconut oil which are two ingredients people use for their lips alone. AND it smells like coconuts!
Beautiful Blest Mess 