BeautyCleaners/Toys/FurnitureScience

Easy Ways to Combat Dry Winter Skin

Dry skin can be uncomfortable and for some downright painful. Having lived in dry climates like Minnesota and Southern California, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.

Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase. This helps support my writing and website costs, thank you!


Hydrate

It’s simple, but it works. Drinking a lot of filtered tap water is a great way to stay hydrated during the dry winter months. More on why it’s best to avoid bottled water here.

Scalp treatment with coconut oil

Dandruff is awkward… You can skip the blue, weird smelling Head and Shoulders for a more effective treatment, coconut oil. Wet your hair and massage coconut oil (generously) in to your scalp. Then let the oil sit for at least 15 minutes, I like to do this while in the bath so I can relax and soak. Wash your hair twice with shampoo to remove the oil. There are many great brands to choose from, I recommend Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil.

Massage dry hands and heels with shea butter

I have found that pure organic shea butteris the best way to heal dry hands and heels. I apply shea butter to hands and heels before I go to bed, which prevents my hands from being oily when I’m at work.

Overnight skin hydration with cleansing balm

Cleansing balms are making a come back and it’s in part due to their supreme moisturizing qualities. I wrote an article here about how this Nourishing Cleansing Balm can be used for ten different applications! When my skin gets really dry in the winter, I simply rub this on my clean face and night for a (yes) nourishing overnight cream. Sometimes I even use it under my make up.

Avoid hot showers and baths

In the winter I love to take hot showers or soak in a scalding bath to warm up (not kidding). But hot water strips your skin of its natural oils, leaving skin unnecessarily dry.

Face and body oils

Use a face or body oil when you hop out of the shower. They are best applied when the skin is still a little damp, you’ll find that the oil soaks in and rubs on easier. Look for oils that are stored in glass rather than plastic. My favorite face oil is Lustro Oil #2 and #3 (shop here) and Rosemary Citrus body oil (shop here). If you’re looking for a more affordable solution, can always try coconut or jojoba oil. (I love this brand of jojoba oil – La Ronna Jojoba Co. – which is sourced and made in Southern California by the most lovely couple. This product also makes a great eye makeup remover for people with sensitive skin.) I prefer to spend a little extra money on the right face oil since even pure oils like jojoba can make my face red and slightly splotchy.

Sleep with a humidifier

Humidifiers not only help ward off colds during winter months, they can make sleeping in dry climates much more enjoyable. Having extra humidity in the air while you are sleeping can help prevent dehydration and dry skin. I love the Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier – this is particularly useful in cold and dry climates. 

Use the best chapstick EVER!

I have chapstick stashed around my apartment, my purses, car, and at my desk. I love a good chapstick and am also very particular about the consistency and taste/flavor. I was introduced to Portland Bee Balm Chapstick, which is the absolute best. It has a mild mint flavor, and a great thick consistency.

Dry skin can be hard to manage, but nature has some wonderful gifts if you know how to find them. If you have a great dry skin remedy that I didn’t include, I’d love to hear about it in the comment section below!

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