Winter Relief

I love the winter months.  Snuggly sweaters, cozy fires, dry, parched skin…wait, what?

It’s sad, but true that the colder months bring a lot more than turkey dinners and hot cocoa.  Winter is not the kindest season to our hair and skin.  It leaves us with dry hair, static, flaky and dry skin, and lips that are anything but soft.  But, by tailoring your beauty routine to suit the elements, you too can take solace during the cold nights knowing that your legs are still soft and silky (even if they are covered up by flannel pj’s).

Below, is a list of a few of my favorite products I use during the winter months.

Skin:  Cold air, wind, indoor heaters, and dry air can all leave your skin looking less than luminous.  But, don’t worry…just by switching or adding some products can help your skin look good all year around.

Face:
Eucerin Everday Protection Face Lotion:  This is a great face lotion for the day because it’s lightweight and doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy; a perfect combination to wear under your makeup.  I also like that it contains SPF 30 (there’s an SPF 15 formula as well).  You might think that you can skimp on SPF a little in the winter time, but don’t be fooled; even on a cloudy day you can be exposed to both UVA and UVB rays.  This lotion provides 24 hour moisture and is fragrance-free, oil-free, non-irritating, and non-comedogenic…perfect for dry, sensitive skin.

Hope in a Jar:  Your skin repairs itself at night, so it’s very important to wear a good moisturizer to bed…especially during the winter months.  I became a fan of Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar a few years ago and have been hooked ever since.  The great thing about the line is it comes in two different formulas to suit different skin types.  You can choose from the original formula (shown) and the dry, sensitive skin formula.  I love this moisturizer because it leaves my skin looking luminous and it helps prevent/treat wrinkles.

Body:
Dove Nutrium Body Wash:  A moisturizing body wash is essential to me, especially in the winter months.  During the summer I sometimes like to play around with scented body washes, but in the winter I go for creamy, moisturizing versions that are fragrance-free.  I’ve been using the new Dove Nutrium body wash the last few months and I love it.  The line has three different formulas, but I prefer the fragrance-free version for the winter because it’s less likely to strip my skin of moisture or cause irritation.  And what’s so different about Dove Nutruim?  Instead of the moisturizers sitting on your skin, they actually can be completely absorbed into the skin because the moisturizers are 100% natural.  The result is clean moisture, that your skin can actually use.

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion:  The worst part of winter for me, besides missing the warmer weather?  Dry, itchy skin.  There are a ton of great formulas out there, but I happen to keep going back to Aveeno’s Skin Relief lotion.  I love this formula because it keeps my skin moisturized for 24 hours, it absorbs quickly and it doesn’t feel greasy.  The Triple Oat formula contains shea butter extract which helps soothe itchy, extra dry skin.  So, instead of your skin feeling like sandpaper it feels like a baby’s bottom…smooth.

Sally Hansen Radiant Creme:  This is another product that I’ve had in my arsenal for several years.  I use this 3-in-1 cream all year around because it helps to moisturize your hands, nails, and cuticles.  I keep it extra “handy” in the winter because my hands tend to get really dry.  I love this formula because it keeps my hands soft, my cuticles smooth and it strengthens my nails.  It’s also great because it smells nice, yet subtle and it absorbs quickly with no greasy aftermath.

Hair:  Thanks to the lack of moisture in the air during the winter, hair lacks…well, moisture.  You can thank your heater at the office, the wind, and that hot shower you take every morning.

L’Oreal Nutri-Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner:  Over the past few years I’ve actually tried a few drug-store hair care brands that I’ve actually really liked.  The Nutri-Gloss line from L’Oreal Paris was one of them.  This is a great shampoo and conditioner choice for the winter because it moisturizes without weighing hair down and it leaves your hair with a glossy finish…which is something your hair can easily lose when it’s dried out.  I also like this line because there are several different formulas depending on your hair type…not to mention that you can own both the shampoo and conditioner for under $10.

Garnier Triple Nutrition 3-Minute Undo Dryness Treatment:  Whether you do it once a month, once every two weeks,  or once a week, you MUST deep condition your hair in the winter.  Depending on your hair type you can focus the deep conditioner either on your ends or all over your head, but you do need to use one.  Why?  Because, it helps restore moisture by penetrating the hair shaft deeper than your normal conditioner does.  It also leaves your hair extremely soft and manageable.  Honestly, I’ve tried expensive deep conditioners and inexpensive ones and they all do the same job.  I like this new one by Garnier because it is fast with only a 3-minute wait time and it combines olive, avocado and shea oils to deeply nourish hair without weighing it down.

Got 2b Styltini Laminating Shine Hairspray:  Winter can turn my relatively flat looking hair into a electrocuted-looking mess.  If static is getting you down, there are all sorts of products that can help tame your mane.  Some products you can use include:  a dryer sheet (yes, really…if you don’t mind smelling like Downey), smoothing serums, shine spray, hair spray, etc.  I personally love Got 2b’s shine hairspray that gives you the best of both worlds; flexible hold AND all-day shine.  This product is perfect for those of you with a static problem or those who don’t want to lose their coif to the elements.

Catch All:  That product that will save you from all of your winter woes and then some.

Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment:  There’s always a product out there that can do a million different things…this one is mine and I find it especially essential during the winter months.  Aquaphor is an ointment that protects dry, cracked and irritated skin while helping to reduce healing time.  It’s great for things such as cracked cuticles, extra dry elbows and knees, rough heels and I especially love (love, love, love) it for my lips.  It helps to make them extra soft and smooth and it’s perfect during the winter, especially for those of you in extremely cold climates.  I’ve also used it on dry patches of skin and even the ends of my hair (I recommend you trying this before you have plans to go out!).  This product is fragrance-free, preservative-free, non-irritating and oh so wonderful!

I hope this list helps you stay beautiful, moisturized and polished…it’s up to you to stay cozy!