The coldest season is finally approaching us down in sunny San Diego, which means breaking out the onesie pajamas, over-sized sweaters, warm boots, and… dry skin? Yeah… that doesn’t sounds like “the most wonderful time of the year” to me.
So how does dry skin affect us in the coming months? Due to lower humidity levels in the air during the winter, our skin has nothing to naturally nourish us when we’re exposed to the frigid air. The air becomes so cold that it actually takes out the moisture from your skin, leaving it with that tight, cracking, flaky feeling that we often feel the most in our hands. That doesn’t sound cute.
The worst part about it is that it doesn’t just affect our hands, but it can affect our whole bodies. Legs, arms, scalp, face – winter is just rude to us collegiettes and our beauty routines!
This is exactly why we need to fight against this temperature change with some beauty products that are effective and friendly to our sensitive skin. After all, it’s cuddle weather! Who wants to cuddle with someone who feels like a reptile? *insert girl emoji with crossed arms*
Here are a few of my personal favorites, and some items that I have on my list to try!
1. Coconut Oil
This item is gold, pure liquid (and sometimes solid!) gold with the fragrance of a tropical island (which is exactly where I’d rather be during this season, but I digress…). Take a small portion out of the jar and rub it in your hands until it regains a liquid consistency. Then apply it to your face instead of your usual moisturizer for a great burst of radiance upon your face! Also, apply it to your hair for an hour as a mask! I prefer to leave it in over night after massaging it in from root to tip! Wash it out with shampoo and your scalp and hair will thank you for the moisture! Available at Trader Joes for $14.99
2. Pond’s Clarant B3 Dark-Spot Correcting Cream for Oily Skin
I love using this product on my face right after coming out of the shower. It’s important to wear moisturizer on your face 365 days of the year, but it’s vital during the winter! Apply it on right before you begin applying any makeup to your face, as some makeup products may not fully produce enough moisture for you. Plus, if you tend to have oilier skin, this moisturizer reacts to your face by not producing excess oils. It’s lovely! Available at Target for $8.99
3. Julep Rock Star Hand Crème
Where are my Julep Mavens at? Not familiar with Julep? Julep is a company which sends out personally customized boxes once a month to its members, and they specialize in nail and skin care! Julep’s Rock Star Hand Crème is a great product to lather onto your hands just before bed time to make sure that they’re silky and smooth when you wake up in the morning! Available at Sephora for $20
4. Tea Tree Oil
I seriously swear by this stuff. Winter months can cause more than just dry, cracked skin – they can cause acne (seriously, Winter is brutal for skin!). The loss of moisture in skin means that the body compensates by producing an excess of oils, and excessive oil means breakouts. However, this magical bottle of oil can combat any breakout that has occurred or is about to erupt. Just dab a very small amount onto a cotton ball or your finger, and apply it over the breakout. I like to do this at night because my skin has the time to soak it in, and the scent will be gone by morning. Yes, the scent is powerful, so if you’re sensitive to smell, be aware! Available at Aveda for $14
5. St. Ives Fresh Hydration Lotion Spray
Going to be busy this holiday season? Sometimes lathering up your whole body can take some time, but it’s still important to keep your whole body hydrated! That’s why this product is genius! Simply spray the lotion (just as you would with sunscreen) over your entire body while the lotion quickly absorbs into your skin! The lotion hydrates your skin and helps you to cover every inch in just seconds! It’s available in a few different scents, so pick which one you like and give it a try! I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s on my list! Available at Target for $6.49
6. Water
Yes, water; the cheapest, easiest, simplest product of them all. This is the most important accessory during the cold season ahead! Be sure to drink lots of water, collegiettes, because essentially this is what hydrates your skin and hair the most. Moisture escapes our body from the cold air, but keeping your body hydrated and nourished from the inside out can only provide a multitude of health benefits. Your skin will glow even more, your nails will be stronger, and your hair will feel shinier (and will grow faster, too!)
Hope you love these products as much as I do! Please list below if there are any products that you recommend for combating the cold weather! HCXO!