I realized about a month into winter that I’ve forgotten a few things about what winter is like. Such as: 1. how long it is, 2. how cold it is, 3. what shoveling snow feels like the day after, 4. how intensely winter dries out my skin, hair, and nails. The struggle is real!
Luckily for you, I’ve done some research and testing to find products to bring moisture back to the Saharan wasteland that is my skin. And the best part? They’re all super affordable!
Must Haves for Winter Skincare:
1. Vaseline or Coconut Oil
An oldie and a goodie. I remember reading a tip as a teenager from a celebrity interview in Reader’s Digest that an actress credited her glowing skin to slathering Vaseline onto her face and body before bed every night. As an acne-prone teen, I hesitated to try it on my face, but found to my delight that it actually did work wonders for my chronically dry skin.
Now, I use it on my lips and hands all the time. I keep a little tub in my purse, and it works wonders to keep my constantly dripping nose from chaffing.
It’s harder to tote around my jar of coconut oil, but it may be even better for your skin than petroleum jelly! Warm it until it begins to liquify in your hands, then rub it into your skin.
2. Skin Food by Weleda
I discovered this a few weeks ago, and I’m now a big fan! The texture is much thicker than a typical lotion. It contains essential oils, all natural ingredients, chamomile and other plant extracts that smell amazing.
I use this like I would lotion, but also once or twice a week I’ll use it on my face for deep conditioning. It’s also lovely as a foot treatment. Rub it on your feet, then wear socks to bed and wake up to softer skin. It costs about $10 on Amazon, and a little goes a long way.
3. Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub
I’ve had keratosis pilaris (KP)for as long as I can remember. KP causes small raised bumps on your skin that look like you have goosebumps all the time. I’d almost forgotten I had this, until this winter. It seems the cold weather and drier air exacerbates it, and it came back with a vengeance. And trust me, it’s not attractive.
I started looking into medicated creams when I discovered I already had the solution. The Rose Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub I made several months ago works magic on my KP! I use it all over in the tub, and the combination of exfoliation and oils is literally magical – my skin looks perfectly normal afterwards and feels incredible.
You can whip up a batch yourself in just a few minutes using things you probably already have in your pantry. Add in peppermint or evergreen essential oils for a wintery twist.
4. Moisturizing Oatmeal and Honey Face Mask
Face masks only take about 15 minutes, and they feel like such a treat. Like you should be wearing a super fluffy bathrobe and getting a massage at the same time. But even without cucumber slices, you can whip up a quick moisturizing face mask.
- Make a bowl of oatmeal, mix in a tablespoon of honey, and allow it to cool before smoothing onto your skin. Wash it off after about 15-20 minutes.
- Don’t want to DIY? Here’s a honey sheet mask, or try a 10 pack of oatmeal sheet masks
5. Drinking Water
Yep, just plain old H2O. In Arizona I was accustomed to lugging around a water bottle everywhere, because without it you’ll literally shrivel up and die. I got out of the habit after we moved to Upstate New York and the humidity made me feel like I was taking a shower just by going outside.
Now I’m carrying a water bottle everywhere with me once again, and trying to drink it first thing in the morning, then empty it at least a couple more times per day.
I’m a little picky about my water bottles. I only like ones that actually close and don’t spill, that fit easily in cupholders and my diaper bag, and look pretty. If you need to upgrade your water bottle, here’s a couple I’d suggest:
Simple Modern Summit Water Bottle –Because rose gold. And Marble. And lots of other color choices.
S’Well Marble (17 oz) – Also comes in lots of pretty colors and patterns.
Chug Sports Lid – This is as close as I can find to my current favorite bottle’s lid. I’d get this lid for the Simple Modern bottle above, but it also fits Hydroflask bottles.
Honorable Mentions:
Cocoa butter lotion – I keep a giant bottle of cocoa butter lotion by my bedside. It’s my go-to for all seasons!
Cocoa Butter Body Butter – it’s a lot of butter. My favorite is from Trader Joes, but the one I’ve linked looks similar.
More on Skincare:
- 17 Ways to Be Kind To Yourself in the Winter
- DIY Luxurious Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub
- DIY Natural Hair Lightening Spray
Now I want to know – have you found any amazing dry skin solutions? Share them with us all below in the comments!
