Today, I’m excited to be sharing some of my favorite body products that have kept my skin soft and moisturized this winter! If you have dry skin, then this article is for you! 

Why is our skin drier in the winter?

Dry skin is so common especially in the wintertime. During these colder months, the humidity is typically low, meaning the amount of water vapor in the air is low. Humidity = water vapor in the air. Winter air is on average less humid than summer air for example. Our skin loves to soak up that water vapor from the air leaving our skin feeling moisturized. There’s less water vapor in winter air, meaning less water vapor for our skin to soak up, so our skin feels and often is drier in the winter.  

Also, we are inside our homes with the heat on during the colder months. The indoor heat also has drying effects on our skin. 

Other things that may be drying out your skin might include: 

• Sun damage. Sun damaged skin is dryer. To prevent this, make sure to wear sunscreen on your body whenever your skin is exposed (especially during the summer) or year around especially on your face. I wear sunscreen on my face all year around. 
• Over cleansing or over scrubbing. You have to find your happy medium for staying clean and fresh without drying out your skin. For me, I shower once a day and exfoliate 2-3 times a week during those showers.
• Underlying medical conditions. Some health conditions can have a drying effect on your skin and/or medication can cause skin dryness. 
• Age. Dry skin becomes more and more common as you age. Older individuals have lived longer and, therefore, have likely been exposed to more sun damage, which thins your skin. Thinner skin does not retain moisture as well, hence drier skin as you age.  

To combat my dry, sensitive skin, I have found a perfect combination of body products to keep my skin moisturized and happy. I suffer from dryness, cracking and itchy skin when I don’t take care of it and slack on this regimen. Just as I have a regimen for my hair, it also helps for me to have a regimen for my skin, especially during the winter months.

I hope you give these products a try and they work as well for you as they have for me. I’ve linked all products below to the business’s website or to my Amazon Store Body Care List. While shopping online is so convenient and easy, I will say that you can likely find these items for a cheaper price in person at major retailers. 

Step 1: Cleanse

I was first introduced to Shea Moisture body products when I was a Sheabassador (brand ambassador for Shea Moisture) a few years back and have been buying their body care ever since! I can truly say that I am obsessed with their bar soaps! The bar featured above is their Raw Shea Butter Soap, but I honestly haven’t tried a Shea Moisture bar that I didn’t like. It’s a great price ($4), lasts long, easy to find, and is both cleansing and moisturizing. Also, I often get coupons in the mail, so I get to save on my Shea Moisture purchases at Walmart, Kroger, etc.

Step 2: Exfoliate 

Exfoliating your skin (face and body) is extremely important! It helps to prevent and treat acne and gets rid of dead skin cells! I exfoliate 2-3 times a week. I love to use Dove Body Polish because it’s so affordable, easy to find, comes in several light, relaxing fragrances, and leaves my skin feeling softer. I like to purchase a 2 pack of this body polish from Sam’s Club to get the best price, which is about $7 for the 2 pack.

Step 3: Moisturize 

One of the best ways to moisturize your skin is to use a thick moisturizer or moisturizing oil immediately after a shower to lock in that moisture. The Twisted Aloe Lavender Rose Butter is perfect for this and is both a moisturizer and has moisturizing oils. It contains rose oil, black seed oil, and essential oils. It is also very moisturizing thanks to the aloe butter and shea butter. I follow up with this butter every time I exfoliate with the Dove Body Polish. I am a night showerer, so I do steps 1-3 at night, which gives the butter time to absorb into my skin.

Step 4: Nourish 

For my daily lotion, I honestly use a mix of lotions but have been enjoying Nivea’s Essentially Enriched Body Lotion lately. It is enhanced with a deep nourishing serum and almond oil to cater to dry and very dry skin types. What I love most about it is that it absorbs into my skin quickly, so I don’t make a mess when I’m getting dressed immediately after putting it on.

I hope you enjoy and try out some of my winter favorites! 

xoxo, 

Margaret Nicole