It’s starting to warm up a little bit here in Chicago but I have a feeling winter is going to drag it’s butt all the way to June, teasing us with warmer weather along the way. That means the arrival of humidity is a ways off so my skin is going to stay in winter mode until then too. Due to that I’m sure I’m going to need to keep my favorite winter products handy until June rolls around. Since some of you might still be in dry skin mode too I thought I’d share what my favorite products have been for winter skin survival. In all reality I use these products year-round, I just especially can’t live without them in the winter.

Nubian heritage: Goat’s Milk and Chai Hand Cream
This is my favorite hand cream currently. I always get really dry hands in the winter and while I haven’t found the ultimate fixer for this problem, this one does a pretty good job. It’s a thick cream texture that absorbs rather easily. Shea butter is the main moisturizing ingredient which works wonders but can leave a skin a tiny bit slippery so I usually stick to applying on the back of my hands (not the palms). What I love most about it is the scent. It’s a mostly sweet with a hint of spice and a clean/fresh undertone. It’s comforting and calming too.

Flourish Body Care: Rosewood Infusion+Angelica Luxurious Hand + Body Lotion
Putting on lotion is an act of self care in my opinion. It’s something you can do for yourself that’s above and beyond the necessary things like brushing your teeth, so it feels a bit indulgent- in a good way. It’s a ritual. This lotion has a pump (which is a necessary feature) so it makes it easy to make this form of self care a habit because it can just sit on your counter, no need to futz with opening a cap, etc. After a shower I just slather this on immediately before getting dressed. It absorbs quickly, is lightweight, has a clean florally scent with a hint of woodsiness. It’s not greasy so you can put clothes on right away. It causes no breakouts whatsoever, and I have sensitive skin (especially on my chest and back). I just love this so much because it makes me feel like I did something for myself for the day before it’s really even started.

Worker Bee: Rescue Putty
Nothing has ever saved my lips more. If I religiously apply this every night I have no trouble with my lips cracking or flaking. I cannot praise this product enough. I’ve put a review about it up here, but to recap I’ve found if I apply this every single night that I never have cracking or flaking lips. Even in the depths of winter with subzero temperatures. I don’t throw the words “miracle product” around often but this is worthy of that claim.

Seaweed Awaken Exfoliating Detox Body Scrub
Exfoliation during the winter is key. Winter makes skin dry and itchy and extra prone to shedding off. Exfoliating can help reduce roughness and buildup of skin that needs to shed off. I love a thick and rich body scrub but you know what I love more? One that is quick, simple, effective, gentle and doesn’t leave the floor of my shower with that oily feeling. This scrub from Seaweed Bath Co. is all of the above. Bladderwrack seaweed (that is organic and sustainably harvested), French clay and coffee extract combine to help detox skin, fine ground walnut shells help slough away impurities and a rosemary & mint essential oil blend help awaken the senses and leave skin feeling refreshed. My skin always feels smoother after using this. I use at least once a week if not more and it’s gentle enough for daily use.

Soapwalla: Lavender Vanilla Mint Luxurious Body Oil
In addition to my daily lotion routine, sometimes I add in a body oil to the mix if I’m feeling fancy (or if I’m not in more of a hurry). Body oil is fantastic for hydrating dry, tight skin. This one is specifically good for eczema prone skin, which is a problem that I have that tends to flair up in the winter. It’s made with jojoba and grapeseed oils that help lock in moisture and chia seed and baobab oils that are rich in omega 3,6 & 9 which help sooth and regenerate skin. It’s scent is a light and slightly sweet vanilla mint with a floral undertone.

Now let’s hope that in spite of me sharing my winter favorites in March that spring hustles up and arrives soon!