You might not mind cold weather, but your skin freaking hates it. The colder the air, the drier it is, the faster it will evaporate your body’s natural moisture. And when that’s all gone, things get ugly: itchy skin, a flaky face, cracked hands, and chapped, red lips—unless you do something to prevent it.
You can also retain moisture by keeping your baths and showers to five minutes or less with tepid water. The hotter and longer your showers are, the more natural oils will be washed away and the dryer your skin will be. Below are some of our favorite products to tackle dry, cold air. Start using them in the next month or so before the frigid winter air arrives, and your skin will thank you.
No soap here. Just a gentle cleanser that uses hyaluronic acid to trap moisture in your skin so you don’t get that dry, tight feeling after washing.
$6.74, Buy It Here
Apply this rich mask before bed and natural fruit oils will lubricate under the skin while seaweed extract repairs the surface.
$29.99, Buy It Here
Having a dry skin emergency? This miracle cream uses hydrogen to moisturize. It’s like a tidal wave of moisture hitting your face—well worth the investment.
$59, Buy It Here
Body wash should remove dirt and grime—not your skin’s natural oils. This formula uses fatty, naturally occurring molecules called ceramides to keep your skin soft and hydrated.
$10, Buy It Here
If you need intense, instant moisture, skip your everyday lotions and opt for this super thin oil that penetrates skin with a formula that mimics your skin’s own sebum.
$19, Buy It Here
Shea butter and oatmeal will keep your skin feeling soft when you apply this overnight body cream that’s free of fragrances, which can often irritate dry skin.
$7.97, Buy It Here
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. Enjoy this time-tested product in a portable tube that makes for an easy-on application.
$7.64 for 4-pack, Buy It Here
This stick will fix even the worst chapped lip emergencies. Beeswax and mineral oils keep lips protected while one percent hydrocordisone reduces redness and inflammation.
From $7.08, Buy It Here
Want a balm that’ll keep up with your workout regimen? This water-resistant stick also has SPF 30 to protect from UV rays, which are equally as strong in the winter.
$25, Buy It Here
Whether you work with your hands or just wash them often, this tough-as-nails product will keep them baby soft. (We keep it at our bedside to apply before we go to sleep for maximum moisture.)
$15, Buy It Here
Many hand washes will dry your skin much faster than dry air, so invest in this one that uses goat’s milk to hydrate while the gentle cleanser targets dirt.
$20.00, Buy It Here
Ointments are moisturizers that use oil instead of water. Use this one to repair intense dryness or even the worst cracked hands.
$9.96, Buy It Here
General Health Magazine 