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.
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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 butter
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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Great stuff! I certainly need all the help I can get.
I didn’t know about cleansing balms. Thanks for telling me about it.
Love your suggestion to do the coconut oil treatment in the bath. The only part I don’t like is NOT taking a hot bath. Maybe if there is enough oil in the water it will counteract the hot water?
Many don’t want to drink cold green smoothies in winter but they help with hydration!
Really?! That’s the last thing I crave, good to know!
Great suggestions! I find that drinking a lot of water throughout the day really helps. Unfortunately I’m a fan of very hot showers and I’m not willing to give them up. It’s cold in the Northeast!
Water and remembering to take the time to moisturize are what helps me!
Great stuff, Lindsay. Thanks for sharing these helpful tips!
Great tips for keeping your skin hydrated. My heels always crack in the winter! Have to remember to moisturize every night.
Nooooo! Say it isn’t so on the hot bath and shower thing. I love those during cold winter months. Guess I will have to opt for the coconut oil treatment instead.
Or both at the same time and just slather on some more oil :)
These are fabulous tips. I need to try Shea butter at night. I am totally guilty of the too long too hot shower, and it definitely dries out my skin. I am often too lazy to use a humidifier but I really should! I actually recently purchased the one you recommended (Yay!).
Awesome so glad you got the Vick’s humidifier! It’s nice because you don’t need to change out a gross filter.
Great tips! My face just isn’t the same without Lustro face oils – they are so pampering!
Me too! I change favorites every few months :)
The scalp treatment is one I need. I always suffer from dry scalp in the winter and it’s awful. Thanks for the tip.
Give it a try, I hope it works as well for you as it does for me!
Great tips Lindsey! but it looks like no one is giving out hot showers here… LOL, neither will I! But I have to say, I have recently switched to all Beautycounter products and they are helping me tremendously. I use the rosemary oil on a damp skin as you suggested and/ or the body butter. The sugar scrub is also excellent… with the all great option and high-quality products there is no way I am going dry this winter. But I do need to try your scalp treatment suggestion, I have a jar of coconut oil in my shower to use it everywhere else but never thought to use it on my head.
I’m so glad to hear Silvia!