Even though spring is on its way, some of us are still bundling up to keep the wind and cold weather from invading our bodies! We all know that cool weather is one of the most common culprits for dry, itchy, flaky, ashy skin. Add the fact that the first thing most of us do after a long day in the cold is come home and turn the heat up, and dry skin becomes a nightmare we can’t wake up from!
Far too often, we only take care of the skin on our faces and hands, neglecting our elbows, knees, backs, and feet. If you want to be silky smooth all year round, remember that the skin on our entire body needs to be moisturized just as thoroughly.
TIP: These products will only help to lock in moisture. It’s still important to drink lots of water every day to hydrate your skin from the inside out!
JOHNSON’S BABY OIL
An oldie but goodie, Johnson’s Baby Oil has been in most of our lives for years. Baby oil is comprised mostly, if not completely, of mineral oil, which will only keep the skin supple if applied after water. Otherwise, mineral oil will act as a barrier to keep moisture from penetrating your skin, leaving you ashier than before—eek! The most effective way to use Johnson’s Baby Oil is to apply it to wet skin right after your bath or shower for a glowing body that’s smoother than a baby’s bottom!
PALMER’S COCOA BUTTER
The smell of this stuff brings me back to childhood, and I still use it religiously. Why? Because the texture of Palmer’s Cocoa Butter is thicker than most competing brands, which helps it to seal in more moisture for dry winter skin. It literally melts in your hands, making application a breeze. And that soft, chocolate-y smell lingers all day! I like to smooth cocoa butter on after I’ve applied a thin layer of Johnson’s Baby Oil for all- day hydration.
AMLACTIN MOISTURIZING LOTION
If you suffer from dry, rough heels, elbows, or knees, AmLactin is certainly worth a try. Its texture is very watery and light, but it contains lactic acid and glycerin to exfoliate and act as humectants, drawing moisture from the air to your parched skin.
ST. IVES SOOTHING OATMEAL SHEA BUTTER
For someone like me with super dry skin, this lotion is a miracle. I usually don’t have luck with lotion-y products. They’re never creamy enough, they evaporate too quickly and they take forever to absorb. St. Ives hit the nail on the head with this body lotion; it’s almost as thick as a body butter so it helps moisturize my situation and preserve my sexy. It smells yummy, and it’s inexpensive, so I can stock up without breaking the bank.
