The temperature and humidity drop, the heat goes up and my skin cries in agony. I also spend a lot of time outside regardless of the temperature, which is really hard on my skin too. In recent years, I’ve had to step up my game when it comes to winter skin care. With a little trial and error, I’ve found a collection of clean, non-toxic products that get me and my skin gracefully through the winter months.

Spending Time Outside Can Dry Your Skin Out

My Favorite Products for Dry Winter Skin

Body Care

Cleanse - When it comes to cleansing and exfoliating during winter, I am really super gentle on my skin. I use Ursa Major’s Morning Mojo bar soap on key areas and then exfoliate only once or twice a week with oSea’s Undaria Body Polish. Tip: Make sure your shower water is not too hot. It’s tempting to use more hot water when it’s cold outside but it strips the skin of essential moisture.

Moisturize and Protect - Acure Seriously Soothing 24hour Moisture Lotion: With cocoa butter and colloidal oatmeal, this lotion is powerhouse for my itchy dry skin. I apply immediately after my shower (I make sure my shower is never too hot) and then spot treat right before bedtime if necessary. I like that it’s soothing and protective and unscented. It’s a good price point (about $12 for an 8oz. tube). Click here to purchase. Acure Everyday Eczema Lotion: This is another great body lotion option that is soothing and protective during the winter months. I typically toggle between this one and the Seriously Soothing Moisture Lotion depending on what’s in stock or if I’m dealing with an eczema flair-up. It’s also about $12 for and 8 oz. tube. Click here to purchase.

Facial Care

Cleanse - Not so long ago, I could use the same cleanser all year. Now? Not so much. I like a cleanser that removes the day, including all makeup but doesn’t strip my skin or leave it feeling tight or dry afterward. I love both oSea’s Ocean Cleansing Milk and Beautycounter’s Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm. Tip: I only wash my face with a cleanser at night. In the morning I splash my face with some water in the shower and that is it!

Moisturize and Protect - I’ve found one facial moisturizer that I can use all year without feeling too heavy in the summer and too light in the winter. Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream is honestly the best moisturizer I’ve ever used. I use it both day and night so it streamlines my routine. It is very calming and soothing to the skin and it hydrates without being heavy or greasy. What I love about Ursa Major is that they do not release a new product unless their entire team is 100% in love with it, so they are focused on quality, not quantity. Shop the cream. I also use facial oil all year to balance my skin, but I especially need it in the winter months to provide a boost of moisture and protect from the elements. I only use facial oils that are made exclusively with botanically-derived oils so they sink into skin and don’t clog pores like Beautycounter’s Brightening Facial Oil and oSea’s Essential Hydrating Oil.

Hand Care

Cleanse - I wash my hands A LOT. Between cooking for my family, taking care of our two dogs Ruby and day, house chores and running errands, I have many reasons why I wash my hands throughout the day. I really try to avoid hand sanitizers as much as possible because I don’t think it’s healthy to constantly be applying alcohol to your skin. So, hand soap it is. I’ve been using Seventh Generation hand soap in Mandarin Orange and Grapefruit scent for years and it’s never dried out my skin. I also like Puracy liquid hand soaps if I am unable to find Seventh Generation.

Moisturize and Protect - No matter how moisturizing my hand soap is, I always follow up with a dose of hand cream. During the day, I really love the refreshing peppermint scent of Avalon Organics Peppermint Hand and Body Lotion. In the evening, before bed, I apply Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Hand Cream and let it do it’s work while I sleep.

A staple supplement in our house. Great for your skin!

Nutrition for Winter Skin

Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Make sure you’re getting these for many reasons! Omega-3s are great for your skin but also for brain and cardiovascular health. I take fish oil but I also throw a couple of tablespoons of ground flax seeds in my smoothie, yogurt or chia seed pudding. We use Metagenics EPA and DHA Omega-3 Supplements in our house. Shop the Metagenics fish oil and the ground flaxseed.

What to Eat and Drink - Staying hydrated by drinking enough water definitely helps. I get bored with plain water so I sometimes to infuse it with fruit or drink herbal tea to mix things up. A diet rich in good fats is also good for keeping your skin hydrated. Fish, avocados, nuts (especially walnuts), seeds and a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables can really help keep skin healthy.

The Good Fat in Avocados is really good for your skin!

Lip Care

Moisturize and Protect - While I do like to use lip balm for comfort and to protect my lips while I’m outside, the best remedy for dry, tight lips is staying hydrated. I really like Burt’s Bees lip balms and Lanolips softly tinted lip balms if I want a little sheer color. It’s especially important to make sure your lip products are non-toxic since you actually ingest them. If you find your lips are splitting and cracking no matter you do, especially in the warmer months, you could have a vitamin or mineral deficiency; zinc, b-vitamins and iron are the most common.

Climate Control

A Cool Mist Humidifier - I don’t know why it took me so long to buy a humidifier. Perhaps it’s because I immediately think of the ridiculous monstrosity of a humidifier we had in our home during the late 70s/early 80s. Like so many things, humidifiers have come a long way and I love the small, portable versions like this H2O Humidifier. It comes in several colors and it’s tiny size fits just about anywhere.

Turn Down the Heat - The higher the thermostat, the more the heat is going to turn on and dry out your skin. I try to keep the heat below 70, especially for sleeping (we actually turn our heat down to 65 at night and then bump it back up during the day).