The temperatures are quickly dropping here in Pennsylvania, so I can assume it’s starting to get cold pretty much everywhere else, too! I can’t stand those few weeks where the weather fluctuates between super-cold and then not-so-cold, since it can wreak havoc on your skin. Because of this, my skin is starting to get super dry.
For this week’s post, I wanted to share some tips, tricks, and product recommendations to help keep dry skin under control. Read on to learn more:
Table of Contents
1. Moisturize
I know, this sounds obvious. However, when you have dry skin, sometimes you need to change up your routine and use a stronger moisturizer or apply it more often, especially if your skin is so dry that you can see peeling or cracking.
You might need to change your moisturizer to an oil-based moisturizer, but don’t be scared of that word! Non-clogging oils, like avocado oil, mineral oil, primrose oil, or almond oil are all good choices. Avoid plain shea butter as a moisturizer because it is pore-clogging on its own.
One of my favorite winter moisturizers is the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. This stuff is amazing! It has eucalyptus oil in it to help repair distressed winter skin, as well as colloidal oatmeal to calm down any eczema or irritation. This moisturizer does contain shea butter, but in a small quantity so it won’t affect your face. Trust me, I use this product and it’s incredible, even for sensitive skin!
2. Hydrate
Make sure you’re drinking tons of water. Hydrating from the inside out will keep your skin balanced from head to toe. Sometimes I forget to drink something other than hot tea, coffee, or hot chocolate when it starts to get cold, but drinking water can seriously improve your overall skin health.
Also, super hot showers are not going to do any good for your dry skin! Taking a warm water shower is best for your skin, but if you can’t live without your steaming hot showers, try cutting your shower time down. In the shower, using a moisturizing body wash will also help a lot. I love Dove’s Creme Mousse for sensitive skin. This product actually moisturizes your skin in the shower, and doesn’t just wash off and do nothing.
3. Care for your skin!
Just moisturizing your skin is not enough. Sometimes you need to take the extra steps to really care for your skin and make sure you’re reaping all the benefits of your moisturizer. Exfoliating once a week with a gentle exfoliator will slough off the dead skin, and ensures your moisturizer gets to the skin that needs it. An awesome mild scrub is St. Ives Even and Bright. It’s not as harsh as the apricot version, and can be used safely once a week.
Along with that, using the right masks for your skin type and removing your makeup in a gentle manner will also banish dry skin. Caring for the skin around your eyes is so important. Using olive oil as a makeup remover or another oil-based remover will help keep moisture in that delicate eye area. Try L’Oreal Clean Artiste makeup remover for waterproof makeup. This won’t dry out your skin, and as a bonus, it also conditions your lashes!
What do you think?
Do you have dry skin? How do you take care of it? What are your favorite products to use? Would you like to see more posts like this? Remember to tell us your thoughts by leaving a comment!
I have discovered the beauty in simple, natural products. After I shower and dry off, I take a little coconut oil and rub it all over as a lotion.a little goes a long way and it sinks in very quick so you’re not left greasy. At night, I’ll put Cetaphil Daily Advance Lotion for dry, sensitive skin after the coconut oil has sunk in. Best routine I’ve ever had for my super dry skin.
I’ll def try that eye makeup remover – I need a new one.
Agh, where was this post last winter?! Nevertheless, I will definitely be looking into that moisturizer for this winter! On a side note, I used Mary Kay’s After Sun Replenishing Gel last winter (for it’s unintended purpose) and it seemed to really help my skin overnight. It’s hydrating but light.
Your timing is impeccable, Sarah! My skin has started to freak out due to the change in climate & I will definitely take a look at these.
What are your thoughts on Neutrogena’s Norwegian formula moisturizers? I’ve found they are a bit too heavy for me right now, but wonderful in the dead of winter & after a pool session (chlorine + winter = VERY dry skin).
Thanks so much for the tips! I’ve been suffering from dry skin and eczema basically my whole life and I’m still learning new tips and tricks on how to treat my skin. Much appreciated 🙂
I stand by Avene’s Rich Skin Calming Cream, La Roche Posay’s Toleriane Riche and Embroylisse. That and the Chanel Le Blanc de Chanel base and Estee Lauder serum. Although I did just found a pretty damn good dupe for the ANR serum that’s pretty spot on.
Lush has this moisturizer bar called “full of grace” that’s simply amazing, it did wonders to my very dry skin.
Jergens Ultra Healing and Cetaphil cream in the tub are both great body moisturizers for people with very dry/very sensitive skin.
Carolyn,
I have hypersensitive skin, it’s incredibly annoying and anything from blushers to the weather irritates it and makes it red and dry, I found a magic bottle of stuff, it’s not exactly inexpensive, but it is worth the $38.. It’s also by First Aid Beauty, it’s their Ultra Repair Liquid Recovery. Just a few drops on the area, or a tiny puddle in your hand for your whole face, works wonders. Also, if you get it from Sephora and it doesn’t work as awesome for you, you can return it. But it worked almost overnight for me, it was magical. I had horrible dry redness from a new fabric softener and I was really embarrassed about my skin afterward because it was so red and looked like it was covered in hives, but this took care of it! If you use a few drops it will definitely last longer.
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Anyway! I have not tried the second two products, but I firmly stand by any First Aid Beauty product, they’re super amazing for sensitive skin.
I’ve never tried the First Aid Beauty moisturizer, but I’ve been having incredibly dry skin on my hands lately (to the point where skin on my knuckles was cracking) and found the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream to be great! It is very thick and unusual, but it sinks in completely after a few minutes and the results are definitely worth having sticky hands temporarily. So that’s another option for hand moisturizer that’s only around $3.
Thank you so much for this post! I suffer from dry to dry/combination all year round, and it’s the worst at this time of year! For body wash, I like the Nivea Touch of Sparkle one, but I’ve also discovered the Dove green tea and cucumber body wash, so I’ll probably be purchasing that next! For my skin, I apply lotion fresh out of the shower so that I can maximize the amount of moisture locked in, and I cleanse, tone and moisturize my face twice a day. I am currently looking for a good face mask to do once a week, so if anyone knows of any good ones, please let me know!
Could you do a post on how to deal with sensitive/redness-prone skin (no acne, just redness)? I’m looking for (affordable!) products to calm my skin down.