Do you suffer from dry winter skin? Exfoliation and proper moisture can help. In this post, I’ll share with you what I use for skincare in the winter months that help reduce splitting cuticles and corners of nail beds, flaking of dry skin on face and elbows, and itchy hands from lots of washing.
How to cleanse skin without over-drying
Dry winter air is enough to make our skin dry in the winter but then add in the heavy overuse of chemicals in soaps that strips the skin even more of natural oils.
Now you’ve got a perfect storm of dry, flaky, chapped, cracked, itchy skin that no one likes dealing with.
Have you ever snagged your dry hands on a microfiber cloth and felt your body enter another dimension of overstimulation? No? Just me, then? Cool, cool.
Finding a soap that cleans well and adds more natural oils to the skin will be your best friend. Homemade soaps generally meet these requirements. Just be mindful of fragrance oils (not the same as essential oils) and fake color dyes if those are something you’re not really into.
Most homemade soaps will contain only what ingredients are used, and have been for generations, to cleanse the skin. Water, oils or fats, and lye which none is left over after saponification occurs.
- liquid castile soap diluted for body wash, hand soap (only two ingredients!), and dish soap.
- homemade castile soap in bar form
How to exfoliate your skin chemical-free and naturally
The best way to prepare your skin to absorb the moisture it needs to repair and rejuvenate itself is to exfoliate the dry skin. Slough it off!
Using kitchen staples like salt, sugar, and baking soda is a great way to exfoliate dead skin.
A simple mixture of about a teaspoon of each: salt, sugar, and baking soda with about a teaspoon of water (give or take but always start with less then add more water as needed).
Start with a small plate or bowl then add in your dry ingredients. Next, slowly add in a little water at a time until you make a paste, not too runny, not too thick. Over time, you’ll learn the consistency of this exfoliator you like best. Now your exfoliator is ready to use.
Simply rub it gently into the skin of your face, elbow, knees, anywhere. Rub lightly in circular motions. From chin upwards on the face is best. You can even use this on the lips. Just keep in mind it won’t taste great so wash your lips well of this exfoliator.
Try to avoid your eyes and hairline (unless showering directly after as the grainy feel in my hairline as it dries is unsightly and annoying).
Finally, rinse your skin well with water.
Exfoliating should be done weekly all year long. In the winter, about twice a week should help. Do not over-exfoliate. Your skin needs time to heal and reproduce more skin.
How to hydrate your dry winter skin
Firstly, drink lots of water. Yes, even in the winter when you’re not very sweaty and you’d rather take your water filtered through coffee grounds or tea leaves.
Straight water (or perhaps warmed with a little fresh squeezed lemon juice) throughout your day is still a trusted way to keep your skin hydrated, toxins flushed out, and your cells rejuvenated. Never skip this!
Next, you’ll want to use a good moisturizer. The more natural, the better.
Whipped tallow, goat’s milk lotion, shea and cocoa butters, olive and castor oils, etc.
Applying moisturizer as soon as you finish showering or bathing helps lock in water’s moisture that is currently keeping your skin damp. Simply pat dry with a towel then apply your moisturizer. Allow the moisturizer a minute or two to soak into your skin before dressing. This will allow the moisturizer to soak into your skin and not your clothes.
Use homemade hand soap when you can
Castile soap has been a family favorite in our home for over a decade now. Both liquid and bar form.
Liquid castile soap seems to be the most versatile, effective, and money-saving. One bottle has SO many uses!
Grab a foaming pump bottle, liquid castile soap, filtered water, and perhaps an essential oil or two to create your own DIY hand soap in less than one minute.
Add in a teaspoon of olive, avocado, or almond oil for added moisturizer.
Some great essential oil pairings for winter hand soap:
- peppermint and lavender
- eucalyptus and peppermint
- sweet orange and eucalyptus
- cassia (cinnamon) and sweet orange
- Peru balsam and peppermint
- cedarwood and rosemary
** This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The best quality and most affordable essential oils I have found so far is from Simply Earth. Third-party quality tested essential oils that cost $10-15? YES! It’s true. Simply Earth is not a MLM so they can pass those leadership bonus savings directly to the consumer.
Use code JOHNSONHOMENCFREE at checkout for a $45 gift card to use on your next order. Use this link HERE and that code above.
Dry Winter Skin Summary
- cleanse
- exfoliate
- hydrate
The more natural the ingredients, the better for your body’s largest organ (skin) it is.
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