As soon as winter’s dry, cold air sets in my skin knows exactly what to do! If I do not take proper care of my skin, it gets extra dry and even starts peeling. It is not pretty! Now, that is what happens if I don’t do anything to prevent this terrible reaction from occurring. So without further ado, here are the key ingredients to keep skin moisturized all winter. I first talked about ways to keep your skin moisturized back in 2018. While many of the tips in that post remain true for me today, I have some updates from the past few winters. I honestly feel like my skin has never felt this hydrated in the winter and I think it’s because of a few changes and things in particular. So, here are my winter skincare tips to boost hydration for the whole season.

Winter Skincare Tips to Boost Hydration

#1 – Invest in skincare products with squalane oil.

Squalane is a natural ingredient that hydrates and replenishes the moisture your skin once had. It has antioxidant properties and is known to combat dryness because of the way it helps lock in moisture. Squalane is known to help with eczema and psoriasis too. Several of the products I mention below have squalane in them, and I don’t think it’s coincidental that I have found these products extra hydrating. So, if you are looking for some new winter skincare products, look for squalane oil in the ingredients list. That’s a great sign that you’ll be getting the level of hydration you need for colder months!

#2 – Use a hydrating cleanser.

When it comes to what we use to clean our face daily, I think there’s a spectrum from boosting moisture to stripping our skin. During the winter a hydrating cleanser makes a big difference! I look for ones that have natural oils in their ingredients because they are obviously moisturizing but also gentle. Personally, I have been loving two in particular – Biossance’s Squalane + Elderberry Jelly Cleanser and Versed’s Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm (discount code: SARAHCAMILLE2210). I use the jelly cleanser in the shower & I love how it lathers up. The cleansing balm is also gentle and I prefer to use it when I wash my face at the sink. For some reason, I find the consistency of the balm makes face-washing at the sink less messy! But both of these cleansers are super moisturizing, so it’s no surprise they have squalane oil in them.

#2 – Sandwich lotion with oil all over your body.

Ok, listen closely because this skincare tip is a real game-changer. I found out a few months ago that layering body lotion with your body oil will make both products even more hydrating and truly lock in moisture — just what we need during cold, dry winters! The key is putting on body lotion first, and then applying body oil. I try to do this at least once a week and I can always tell a difference when I do. The extra moisturizing benefit makes it totally worth the extra few minutes it takes.

“When you sandwich your lotion with a top layer of oil, you’re increasing the percentage of oil that’s being applied to your skin, which allows the entire concoction to penetrate more deeply than either product would on its own.” — Zoe Weiner, Well + Good

My favorite body lotion is hands-down the Flamingo Daily Moisturizing Lotion. This very affordable, clean lotion has squalane and willow bark extract, so it is super hydrating. It goes on so easily and doesn’t leave a sticky or greasy feeling like so many body lotions do.

As far as body oil goes, you may recall, I talked about almond oil in one of my very first blog posts. Almost five years later and I still use it all the time, but I have been trying out squalane oil ever since I found out about the extra hydrating benefits of it. If you are new to using body oils, I would start off with almond oil because it’s very affordable and you can see how you like it. I found the squalane oil to be the most hydrating option, but almond oil has some of the same benefits — diminishes fine lines and reduces dark circles under your eyes — and both can be used on your skin, face and hair.

#3 – Add a straw to your water cup!

Investing in a good water bottle always encouraged me to drink more at work. But, when I started working from home, I realized I wasn’t drinking as much when I had a conventional water glass at my desk. I’ve always loved drinking out of straws though. So, I decided get some reusable, silicone ones. Over night, my water intake went up! Drinking lots of water is *so good* for your skin. It’s known to not just keep your skin hydrated, but also minimize wrinkles, reduce puffiness and improve your complexion. If you’re looking for ways to increase your water intake, jazzing your water vessel with some silicone straws might just be the encouragement you need.

#4 – Moisturize your face every morning and night.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but this is *key* to stay moisturized during the winter months. At night, a quality face cream will help repair and regenerate skin cells while it hydrates your skin. Day creams will keep your skin moisturized throughout the day while also creating a barrier from pollution and UV rays you’ll come in contact with on any given day. To get extra hydration during the winter, I have been loving Versed’s Skin Soak Rich Moisture Cream (discount code: SARAHCAMILLE2210) for the day. It’s a little thicker than the gel creams I like to use during warmer months, but it still has a whipped texture that is quite lovely, and not greasy. Its restorative ingredients, like algae extract, vitamin E, and squalane, make this rich cream very effective at keeping your skin moisturized, while fending off signs of aging — a win-win!

For my nighttime skincare, I have been religiously using Biossance’s Squalane + Omega Repair Cream because I love it so much. This face cream is thicker in comparison to Versed’s cream, and gives me the extra moisturization I need overnight. It’s formulated with lipids (good fats) your skin needs to deeply moisturize without leaving a greasy after feel. 

#5 – Use hand cream daily.

Just like our faces, our hands get a lot of exposure to cold, dry air in the winter. The increased use of hand sanitizer in the past couple years makes our hands even more prone to drying out. My hands get dry quickly if I do not use a good quality hand cream regularly. I keep some in my car and at my desk at home and work to put on while I sit at a red light or read e-mails or documents. There are a lot of great hand creams out there, but this one has been a long-time favorite of mine, especially when I am battling any cracks in my hands. It has a lovely light scent, absorbs quickly and doesn’t make my hands feel greasy or sticky.

#6 – Add micellar to your skincare routine.

There are a few reasons why you should include micellar water in your winter skincare routine, particularly before you apply any face creams. First off, it’s known to be hydrating, thanks to the glycerin it contains. Applying it to your face before any moisturizers ensures your skin is clean, removing anything your cleanser may have missed and preventing dirt from getting trapped between your skin and creams.

#7 – Wet your skin before you apply face creams.

Did you know moisturizers and creams with oil in their ingredients are more effective when applied to damp skin, as opposed to dry skin? They help lock in moisture, and can seal in more moisture when you wet your skin before applying face creams or moisturizers.

Since micellar water is more hydrating than regular water, I recommend using it for extra moisturizing benefits in the winter. I like to apply micellar water with a reusable, bamboo cotton pad. In the morning, I apply it right as the first step of my skincare routine. At night, I apply it after I use my cleanser. It is easy and very affordable way to boost the effectiveness/hydration-factor of your creams!

>> Shop my Winter Skincare Favs <<

When you shop for Versed skincare products at VersedSkin.com you can get 10% off with code: SARAHCAMILLE2210.

I would love to know if you have any winter skincare tips or tricks that have help keep your skin hydrated. Do you use any of the same products or follow similar steps in your winter skincare routine? What is your winter skin care routine? Share in the comment section and let’s discuss.

Cheers!

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