These Ultra-Moisturizing Winter Skin Care Products Are Our Cold-Weather Skin Saviors
Trust us, you're going to want to stock up on these.
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Welcome to winter, where it gets dark at 4 pm, we all sit inside drinking red wine and watching true crime documentaries, and all of our skin is as dry and cracked as the Sahara. Joy. I don't have to tell anyone who lives in an area that experiences temperatures below 50 degrees F that winter skin is no joke. I live in the South where our weather is worthy of turning the heat on, but absent of snow (most of the time), and even my skin is dry and itchy all the time. I can't even imagine what it would be like if I was in the North East, PNW, or Midwest. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
These 7 products contain a variety of ingredients proven to bring relief to the driest of skin, like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, calendula, and arnica, just to name a few. For reference, I have pretty normal skin the rest of the year. I used to be on the oilier side, but since I've transitioned into my late 20s, my skin has dried out considerably. These are just a handful of products that I absolutely could not live without in the winter months. They are my tried-and-true, use-every-year kind of good products. So, you'll notice that I'm missing more than one product to fill out a full skincare routine. I can only suggest the best for our CL readers! And, on that note, if you have any winter skin saviors that I missed, please leave your suggestions below.
I first came across this mask over the summer and loved it then for soothing my sunburnt face. I stumbled upon some unused samples in my bathroom cabinet recently and I don't know how I've lived without it. It's considered a mask, but I use it as a nightly moisturizer. It contains the damaged skin trifecta of arnica, calendula, and centella asiatica (what gives it its mint green hue).
For reference, I was using an ultra-hydrating moisturizer before now that came recommended by my dermatologist. It was good, but this puts that other moisturizer to shame. It's so calming and hydrating without leaving your skin an absolute grease-pit. I always get worried my skincare is going to transfer onto my pillowcase at night, but my skin soaks this in like the liquid gold it is. It's a winter skin savior, but I'll use it year-round from now on.
If you only take note of one thing from this article, let it be this: get a humidifier. Between the loss of humidity outside and drying central heat, your skin has never needed one more. Sleeping with a humidifier in your bedroom during the winter is one of those game-changing life decisions that you'll never turn back from. I've used the same clunky humidifier for 5 years now and, while I love it, it's incredibly hard to get in the sink and fill every night. This one might be my new upgrade.
Yes, humidifiers are so essential that I've included them on here twice! If you're looking for something less expensive or just for yourself, this is a prime option. I've essentially stopped using my clunky humidifier I mentioned before and now use one of these every night. It works wonderfully for me, but it's really only good for a single person as the mist doesn't disperse very far. So, for my husband's sake, I'll probably be upgrading to a larger one soon. If you're as desperate as I am, get a small humidifier like this for your desk or car and then a larger one for your bedroom.
Talk to anyone who puts their hands through a lot (construction workers, nurses, etc.) and they'll probably tell you that they swear by Working Hands. It's thick but not greasy and, quite simply, it just works. It takes cracked cuticles and finger tips and leaves them soft as a baby's bottom. I apply this every night before bed and wake up with the softest hands.
There's a reason you've probably heard so many people rave about this lip mask on social media—it works so well. It contains hyaluronic acid, so it's best used in a humid environment (this is where your humidifier comes in!). It locks all the moisture into your lips overnight but doesn't feel sticky or gross. I use this all day every day, not just at night. I've found that it works just as well as any lip balm and it's easier to wear than many lip glosses. Also, if you're concerned about the price, know that this jar will last you months. I use it multiple times a day and it took me nearly 2 years to go all the way through one jar.
Odds are, you already have a tub of Vaseline somewhere in your medicine cabinet. Now is the time to pull it out and put it to use. There's arguably nothing better for locking in all those hydrating products than plain ole petroleum jelly. I put petroleum jelly around my eyes every night after applying eye cream because I have extremely sensitive lids that get dry and irritated easily. I'll just say: you won't find crow's feet on this face.
If you have extremely dry skin, this won't replace your regular body lotion during the winter months. But, it will immediately lock in all the moisture from your shower and prevent you from applying lotion throughout the day. If you love a steaming hot shower, this is an absolute must-have. Before trying it, I used to immediately start itching after getting out of the shower and drying off. Now, I apply this in the shower and then a light lotion once I'm out and I'm good for the rest of the day.
If applying lotion feels like a chore, look no further than Naturium's The Glow Getter. A oil-based body wash that foams into a gentle lather that actually hydrates your skin while cleansing it. It comes in a huge bottle for only $16 and has a pump that makes dispensing a breeze.
Take a tip from our friends across the pond and try the #1 body care brand in European pharmacies, La Roche Posay. "My family members have a grab-bag of skin concerns from eczema to psoriasis and the general dry winter skin the plagues us all," says Design Director Maribeth Jones. "I always have the Lipikar lotion on hand because it works well for for all of our sensitive skin types. I love that it's affordable but still has a consistency that feels luxe."
You read that right, a snail mask. Hear me out! Filled with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, snail slime (just don't think about it) is a centuries-old natural skincare ingredient. These sheet masks are incredibly hydrating and are an easy way to try out the reemerging trend.
This thick repair cream from Weleda is a cult classic for a reason— sunflower seed oil, lanolin, sweet almond oil and beeswax make it perfect for soothing chapped lips, dry elbows and cracked heels. It rubs in beautifully despite the thick texture leaving behind a light, slightly herbaceous scent.
Tip: The tiniest bit rubbed between your fingers and tapped on your cheek bones works wonderfully as a natural highlighter in the dry winter months.
This in-shower moisturizer is my must-have treatment for dry skin. The jar is filled with a whipped solid combination of oils and butters (jojoba, shea butter, coconut oil) that help lock in moisture when applied at the end of a shower. It has a light, gentle fragrance that I love, plus it is made from clean ingredients.
This overnight hydration mask has taken up permanent residence on my nightstand. The thick, luxurious lotion has made a tremendous difference in the dry skin on my hands, plus it comes in a clever dispenser. Made from shea butter, glycerin, and squalane, it is unscented and free from essential oils.
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