The Best Winter Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

Hello, my darling friends! Winter is in full swing, and if you’re anything like me, the struggle with dry skin has hit its peak. Admittedly, I battle dry skin year-round, thanks to my love for hot showers and lack of hydration (a work in progress, I swear). However, winter takes things to a whole new level. My shoulders, chest, and inner thighs are faced with stubborn keratin build-up. Last year, it got so bad I started researching and A/B testing to figure out what to do and how to fix it.

While there’s no universal remedy, I stumbled upon a routine that’s worked wonders for me, keeping my skin looking healthy and breakouts at bay. Knowing I’m not alone in this skin episode, I thought I’d share the products that have become my friends.

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The Best Winter Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

I recently became aware (thank you Tiktok) how deeply Unilever and Nestle are woven into every product lining the shelves of US stores. In an effort to support this influence less, I’ve decided to be more mindful, as many products from these empires haven’t aligned with my values – whether it’s about the environment, my body, humanity, or capitalism.

I understand it’s a significant stance, but I also believe I’m not the only one – I do not want additives in my products and I want to see small businesses thrive.

Quick heads-up: You can find these gems at your local Target, Kroger, or drugstore. For convenience, I’ve thrown in an Amazon affiliate link, but if you have a nearby mom-and-pop retailer, please consider supporting them. Let’s keep those brick-and-mortar stores flourishing!

Now, let’s dive into the list!

_{Disclaimer: The following post has Amazon affiliate links. If clicked and purchased, a small percentage will go toward On the Trip Side. Thank you for your continual support!}

Body

Shower Everyday with Soap

You don’t need to wash your hair every day but you do need to wash your body. This is because your skin is so dry that it’s shedding and causing build-up in your pores, which leads to breakouts. I haven’t had an issue with body soaps and I tend to grab a different one when mine runs out. I have simply seen a difference when I wash my body daily.

I have seen a clear change when I use a scrub loofah on my problem areas.

Body Scrub

This is something I won’t back down on. Body scrub is amazing. Whether you make it from scratch at home or buy it at the store, either way, sugar scrub works. It’s a natural exfoliant that clears your pores from buildup and removes the dead skin grime on your body.

My favorite brand is Tree Hut and my favorite scent is Desert Haze. Tree Hut is owned by PDC Brands and is known for its natural ingredients, which I LOVE.

The Best Body Lotion

Alright, bear with my bias, but I, along with many fellow dry-skin companions, absolutely love Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula. It might sound surprising, given its ubiquitous availability, but this lotion is amazing.

I’m not exaggerating; I’m practically a Palmer’s purist and I won’t travel without it. For extended domestic travels (say, Hawaii), I’ll even grab a larger bottle because it’s a skin healer.

What makes it even more special is that Palmer’s is a family-owned and operated business with a 175-year legacy.

Face

Light Face Wash for sensitive skin

Right now my current face wash is the La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleaners, a product of a L’Oreal subdivision. This is another company I’d like to steer away from because they have their hands in almost every beauty brand in US stores.

Although I’ve grown fond of this product because it’s great for sensitive skin, it’s probably time to switch it up anyway. I’ve done a lot of research and am probably going to pick up Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser next.

Light Exfoiliant

Okay, so my current exfoliant game needs a serious upgrade. I’ve been slacking, using it just once a week, when apparently, I should be using it 3-4 times a week for those pesky dead cells. Now, this gem is the second most splurge-worthy item in my lineup, but let me tell you, it’s worth every penny.

I’ve had the same bottle for YEARS. It’s the Eminence Organics’ Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant 🍓✨ —a vegan exfoliant with lactic acid and polishing flours. I’ll let you know if upping the scrub helps!

Heavy Night Cream

I’m currently using the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, another product of a L’Oreal subdivision. I’ve been using this cream for about a year, but recently, I’ve noticed that Palmer’s has introduced a Moisture Rich Night Cream at nearly half the price of what I currently use. It’s also promising that it’s 100% free of parabens, phthalates, and dyes.

Since I love their body lotion so much, it seems fitting to snag their night cream. I’ll update you on the results!

Light Day Moisturizer

Well, turns out my go-to Cetaphil moisturizer is also in the L’Oréal family, not that it breaks my heart because it’s not exactly my ride-or-die. It gets the job done, but I’ve got a shininess situation that’s not my favorite vibe.

So, I’m thinking it’s time for a little skincare splurge, and I’ve got my sights set on The Honest Company’s Hydrogel Cream. Rumor has it, this beauty is like a hydration miracle, promising to amp up your skin’s moisture game in just 15 minutes.

Face Oil for Dry Red Sensitive Skin

A red reducing serum isn’t something I would normally promote because I’m not entirely convinced they do wonders. But, hey, I’ve been dabbling with one I snagged from an esthetician a year back, and I’ll stick with it till the last drop. It’s from this fantastic brand, Matis Paris, straight out of France – a bit elusive to find in the US, though.

Once that’s done, I’ve got my sights on Pacifica’s Kale Yeah! Redness Rehab Serum. It’s a steal at less than 20 bucks and promises to shrink those pores. Which, I would appreciate.

Alright, my friends! That wraps up my winter skincare routine. I’ve highlighted some tried-and-true products alongside exciting newcomers from independent brands that I’m eager to test out.

As always, thank you so much for reading and I would love to know what products you recommend as well!