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Tis the season for chapped lips and dry skin! A few favorite items, and some new discoveries, to combat the cold weather demons:
+For dry skin (body): I have been using a combination of Hanni splash salve in-shower (truly locks in moisture like none another — 15% off with code JEN15) and Goop’s body butter, which I have already gone through a full tub of this season. It has the best consistency and hydrates skin deeply. It is scentless, too — I actually wish it came in a beautiful rose scent, but know many prefer scent-free these days. I also like to use Olio E Osso oil on shoulders / arms when they are bare, and I recently gifted a girlfriend this Oak Essentials oil after reading rave reviews about it (and knowing how much she loves this product category — she wrote me afterward that “Body oils are my love language”!). Oak Essentials is Jenni Kayne’s beauty label!
+For lips: Sara Happ lip scrub. I find that it doesn’t matter how much balm I apply to my lips — exfoliating regularly is the only way to prevent chapping/peeling. I love this product. One pot will last a long time! I also slather on Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream every morning and night. I’ve heard from many reputable sources, though, that Aquaphor is the best thing you can put on dry lips! I just ordered a tube for ski trip!
+For nails / cuticles: OPI Nail Pen. I love this and keep it in the top drawer of my bedside table to slick on before going to bed.
+For feet/heels: AmLactin foot cream. This stuff is pure magic. I slather on at night with socks and feet stay hydrated through the worst of winter! I found this via Grace, who also raves about these “foot peels” I’ve been too chicken / grossed out to try, but a definite option if you’re battling severe cracked heels.
+For dry hair: I just ordered Crown Affair’s hair renewal mask, which so many people have raved about. Will report back after testing! I will say that Davines’ Oi Conditioner is also incredibly hydrating, and I get a lot of regular mileage out of it.
+For dry skin (face): I am currently using and loving a combination of Augustinus Bader Rich cream during day and Goop face cream at night, after applying a few drops of Vintner’s Daughter facial serum (also deeply hydrating). Thanks to the Magpie reader who recommended reserving the Goop cream for nighttime — it’s a bit heavy / slow to absorb for beneath makeup during the day, and this has been a great routine switch. If I really need a boost, I like Summer Friday’s Jet Lag face mask — I leave on overnight.
+For eye area: I absolutely love these splurge-y eye masks from Jillian Dempsey. I usually pack a set for travel (so good for post-flight / first day); kind of convenient that each set comes in its own little tray for this reason.
+For dry hands: I love Aesop’s formula. The scent is divine, and the little pocket tube is great for tossing in the handbag.
+For nose: I hate when your nose gets irritated and sore in the winter from blowing / tissues! This Dr. Rogers ointment is a God-send for those situations!
+For whole body hygge: a hot water bottle; a heated, weighted neck wrap; an electric blanket; Darn Tough socks; Negative long underwear; Ugg slippers; Falke base layers; Alice Walk alpaca sweater (my warmest sweater); a winter candle.
+For mind: Little Women. I love the book and both versions of the film this time of year. The snow scenes!
+For consumption: Harney Hot Cinnamon and Spice tea, prepared in a Fellow tea kettle and served in a Juliska mug.
+If you really run cold, you can’t beat a Lasko space heater.
What are your must-haves?
P.S. Travel tips + essentials, and sick day essentials.
P.P.S. Household finds and recent fashion favorites.
P.P.P.S. At least I’m catching air.
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I feel like a broken record about Biossance at this point, but I LOVE their omega repair cream for fall/winter. It is THE only thing that moisturizes my skin enough! I did buy a jar of Skinfix barrier+ triple lipid cream to try because I appreciate the dispensing mechanism they have in the jar, in which you press the top down and it dispenses just the right amount (as opposed to dipping your fingers in a jar) but I still went back to Biossance! Saving the Skinfix one for spring. The Biossance one is unscented, but others have written reviews about it having a funny smell. I will admit the ones I’ve used in previous years did have that odd smell, but as my skin absorbed the cream it didn’t bother me (and I’m usually finicky about scents and prefer unscented). The one I bought this year does not have that same funny smell, so perhaps they improved the formulation (?). I’m also intrigued by their recently released Overnight Rescue Cream, but I just bought the jumbo size omega repair cream.
For showering I love Avene’s lipid replenishing cleansing oil. I used to love L’Occitane’s Almond shower oil, but having become sensitive to scent I was pleased with this alternative!
PS: Thank you for introducing me to Darn Tough socks! Over the past few years I’ve upgraded my cold-weather socks to Bombas and Smartwool, and then I also added Darn Tough thanks to your recommendation (different brands/pairs for different functions, ha!). I feel like socks are one of those everyday things for which quality makes a big difference!
Love these recs! I need to try the biossance one!! Thanks for the nudge/upvote!
For body: KIEHL’S BODY OIL, and then KIEHL’S CRÈME DE CORPS is a MUST for me in the winter!
For face: KIEHL’S ULTRA FACIAL CREAM is the perfect cream in the winter
Of course, ELIZABETH ARDEN’S EIGHT HOUR CREAM is fantastic for lips, cuticles, burns and rashes, I have a tube in my desk, my car, my purse and the kitchen!
Hi Mimi! May I recommend an alternative to the Crème de Corps! Naturium Bio Lipid lotion… I find it as good if not better, cleaner ingredients and a fraction of the price! 🙂 XO
Thanks, Mimi!!