You’re either stuck inside with drying heat, or shivering outside in the freezing cold. Either way, winter will suck the life out of your skin and leave you looking like Ashy Larry. What’s a bella to do?

photo via www.moveoneinc.com

Well, drink more water for starters. Increasing your internal moisture will definitely make a difference in the appearance of your skin and hair. And for those Ashy Larry days, I recommend you step up your skin care regimen with a new moisturizer. Here are some of my latest faves from the drugstore and beyond!

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter

Ask a pregnant woman and she’ll more than likely let you know – cocoa butter becomes a skin care essential the more you use it. I know so many moms and moms-to-be who begin using Palmers Cocoa Butter in their pregnancy to stave off stretch marks, and find that it becomes a way of life! Everything I’ve tried from the line has been wonderful IMO. After showering, slather on the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E, and your skin will feel satisfyingly moisturized – and you’ll smell chocolatey delicious! My hands LOVE the Concentrated Cream, which I guess is technically meant for stretch mark treatment (but works just as well on parched, ashy hands). Palmer’s products generally cost less than $10 and are available at your local drugstore or supermarket, so if you need a quick fix and are new to the brand, it’s easy to give them a try!

Quench Essentials

Photo courtesy Tafari Stevenson-Howard

I first blogged about this product line back in 2009 – and now Quench Essentials is back with a new scent of body mousse – Honey Baby! If you like your skincare all natural and made on a smaller scale with lots of love, you should definitely give Quench a try. The product line was created by Detroit-based blogger and photographer extraordinare Tafari Stevenson-Howard to combat winter ashiness. Their body mousse is water-based and made with shea, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, and sweet almond oil. I really like Quench on my legs, and for those extra-dry places, there’s the appropriately named Elbows, Knees and Toes balm. Click here to order.

Neutrogena Body Oil.

Maybe you’re not into heavy butter-based body moisturizers. My skin cries out for deeper moisture during the winter, but it isn’t for everyone – some prefer their moisture from a light, easily absorbed oil. Neutrogena Body Oil might be what you crave. Made from sesame oil, it’s light enough to disappear instantly into your post-shower skin. And it’s sensual enough for a couple’s massage. Win win!

Lubriderm Advanced Therapy .

If you’ve got seriously parched skin and love a whipped-to-perfection, dense body moisturizing cream, look no further! If you’ve got a skin type that gets so dry that parts of your skin look gray…you deserve to have a little Lubriderm in your life. I’d be lost without a tub of this in my bathroom. A little goes a long way, especially if you moisturize post-shower. And if you love scrubbing your feet then slathering them with lotion and wearing thick socks to bed at night, this pink-topped tub is about to be your new bestie!

Kiehls Creme de Corps.

Kiehls = quality. And you get what you pay for with this brand. If drugstore moisturizers aren’t cutting it for you anymore and you’re ready to step your winter skin protection game all the way up – you should give Creme de Corps a try. Cocoa butter, sesame oil and beta-carotene make for a truly decadent skincare experience. The 2.5 oz bottle starts at $10, so you can try before you decide you need to invest in like, the $70 liter bottle.

Those are the moisturizing products that are helping my skin survive this weather! I’m happy to report that I am ash free, silky smooth and loving it!

What are your winter skincare faves?

COMMENTS

Kel says:

January 20, 2011, 1:43 pm

Great products! Carol's Daughter also has a great moisturizer called Body Jelly. It leaves you smelling like honey all day long; especially is you apply right out the shower. God bless

Bigmamaree says:

January 20, 2011, 1:48 pm

My winter fav is Johnson and Johnson's Cocobutter Baby Oil Gel. I have eczema so I have to hydrate and moisturize more than usual. But since I started using this baby oil gel, I don't have to hydrate as much.

Mahogany Maverick says:

January 20, 2011, 1:54 pm

Good ole petroleum jelly...I found a cocoa butter infused one at my local Dollar general store...$1.00!

Portia says:

January 20, 2011, 1:55 pm

I love my shea butter mixed olive and tea tree oil. I also use the Hollywood Beauty Cocoa Butter Skin Creme.

b. says:

January 20, 2011, 2:28 pm

Part of the moisture game is just like hair: evaluate your soap. I'll keep on preaching about olive oil soap. Luvs me some (esp Kiss my Face). Thanks for the other suggestions! Don't forget to blot your skin after the shower (as opposed to rubbing). Eucerin is another uber-thick moisturizer.

Twana says:

January 20, 2011, 3:36 pm

My favorite is Carol's Daughter Body Butter (any kind) and Petroleum Jelly. I know there is no proof petroleum jelly helps moisturize the skin. But I must say it does wonders for protecting my skin against the wintery elements.

Sebastain13 says:

January 20, 2011, 5:24 pm

I have stepped up my game as far as my skin care for the winter It has been extremely cold here in NC so I have been moisturizing alot more than usual I am using grapeseed oil for my face & Nivea for my skin & it has been working

Angela Lopes says:

January 20, 2011, 6:17 pm

I'm using this winter pure vitamin E. My skin always suffers so badly in the winter time that i have no option but to use Vitamin E. I only use it at night after washing my face with organic black soap followed by a seaweed toner from body shop. the results are amazing, super soft,protected skin all day xxx love ur blog ;0

Damusicalpoet says:

January 20, 2011, 10:45 pm

I've been using Aveeno skin relief and it is working wonders. I will look into the others though. Always looking for new things to try.

nichole says:

January 20, 2011, 11:10 pm

Two of my favorite drugstore brands are Olay Quench and Glysomed. But Hempz Body Butter is amazing.

SuperCoils says:

January 21, 2011, 7:37 am

Apparently there is this stuff called "Whoop Ash" that's supposed to be an excellent cream for dry winter skin, but at $20 for 8 ounces, this college student will have to pass (reluctantly). Sure would be nice if a richer, older hair idol tried it out and reviewed it though (hintedy hint hint).

Black Velvet says:

January 21, 2011, 8:25 am

I love Carol's Daughter Body Jelly and Glory Be Herbals (on Etsy's) Medicated Jelly scented in lavender. Also Aveeno in the navy blue lidded jar. (has menthol!)

Tina says:

January 21, 2011, 11:26 am

I go hard for Palmers Cocoa Butter and believe it or not I am as old school as they come, I pull out the "grease" in a heartbeat. Good ol vaseline, ha!

Melissa says:

January 21, 2011, 2:22 pm

For heavy moisture, I've been using c. Booth 4-in-1 Vanilla and the Argan Body Butter. On the weekends when I put my body into recover mode I use organic coconut oil.

Ferry C. says:

January 22, 2011, 10:08 am

Coconut oil. You're welcome lol!

Jonnie Ulch says:

January 22, 2011, 1:52 pm

Don't neglect certain areas of the skin. Elbows... heels... neck... and décolletage need moisturizing... and your scalp and the tops of your feet need sun protection as well.

Celazome says:

January 24, 2011, 2:25 pm

Another tip for keeping the skin hydrated and refreshed in the winter is to use a humidifier in the home and to ensure you are drinking the proper amount of water everyday.

Nayo says:

January 27, 2011, 12:56 am

I found a store in the mall that sales cream soaps with no fragrance added and it keeps my skin looking smooth during the winter months...... Sometime ago I found this shea butter blended frankincense and myrrh it does wonders I love it!!!! It quenches my skin and got rid of that dry scaly look it use to get!!! I also use vitamin e and jasmine oil after the shower when I've had a really long day (:

Michele Keele says:

February 17, 2011, 12:50 am

Hello all, From one natural sistah to others, a huge part of keeping your skin moisturized is the soap you use. We take pride in creating a moisurizing soap without all the toxic, harsh and drying chemicals that are in commercial soaps today. Our customers have told us repeatedly that they have great results from using soaps. If you use a soap with ingredients that can penetrate and pamper your skin, You will have far less of a need for those other products that are bad for your skin and your body outside the shower. Check us out please. We would love to help.

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