The keys to soft and healthy skin in the winter

A couple of weeks ago, I put together a post on how I tackle my seasonally dry skin, but I spent most of the time taking about my facial skincare routine. I’m pretty sure we all learned that our skin was our biggest organ in elementary school, and they were definitely not just talking about our face. Yet, somehow, I often find myself neglecting the skin from the neck down too often, especially during the dry, winter months when things can become….dire.

I mentioned in my previous post that since I was a little kid, I have always dealt with dry skin and even eczema. And those symptoms were only exacerbated during and after a treatment of Accutane last year. As the weather begins to fluctuate and turn colder, damper, etc. it’s important to consider the rest of your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin like me, prone to things like rashes or flaking or irritation in general. When our skin is dry, that level or irritation can happen really quickly, and it can be a pain to take care of and awfully uncomfortable. For me, this happens most on my upper arms, chest and neck, but it might be elsewhere for you.

There are two keys to keeping your winter skin in check to prevent any of these issues, and they are exfoliation and hydration.

Now, exfoliation might seem kind of confusing, because you might think of it to create more irritation than good. But that’s why it is important to be using the right products and tools, and learn how to avoid harsh exfoliants just like you would for your face. If you don’t exfoliate, you are going to be left with a whole lot of dead skin that is actually preventing any of your hydrating products from hitting the layer of the skin it needs to penetrate the most. When you let those dead skin cells sit, they begin to trap dirt and bacteria under the surface, which causes things like rashes or acne.

PSA, if you’re still using any products from St. Ives, they gotta go. You want to avoid the harsh exfoliants that can literally tear your skin, even if you can’t see it. Instead, you can use things like sugars or coffee or a physical exfoliator to get after that dry skin. Your non-facial skin can handle a little bit more, but you still don’t want anything like a nut shell that is going to do more harm than good.

If you’re not sure where to start, I’m sharing a few of my recommendations here. I love any kind of sugar scrub – sadly, my favorite one from Bath & Body Works is out of stock – but there are some great options at all price points. I absolutely love this one from Ouai – the scent is just truly luxurious. I brought this with me to Antigua last February where we had an outdoor shower, and I will never forget that sunset shower with this scrub. It also leaves a nice amount of hydration behind without feeling like a film like many others. I really like this one from European Wax Center, and I just ordered one that looks similar from Necessaire to see if these products are really worth all the hype.

If you have any bumps or ingrown hairs or even acne, I highly suggest trying this exfoliating mask from Megababe. While it’s actually made to prevent butt acne – yes, let’s all face its ugly reality – I like to use it on my bikini line or on the backs of my arms where I get those annoying little bumps. It has a wonderful cooling effect, too. You take a bit, rub it onto the areas of need, let it sit for a few minutes pre-shower, and then gently exfoliate it right before you hop in the shower to wash it off. It serves as a great treatment to any irritation you’re having anywhere on your body.

If you’re not interested in trying a product, my number one suggestion is to use a physical exfoliator like a dry brush, or my all time favorite daily exfoliator – the Luv Scrub. This mesh exfoliator is something I found in an effort to support more Black-owned businesses, and it’s something I will never live without again. I have always been someone who loves a lathered loofah or sponge in the shower. But they are bacteria collectors. I tried silicone, and I do love that for my face, but this mesh exfoliator not only creates the most insane lather with any body wash, but it’s such a great gentle exfoliator to use on your whole body.

If you haven’t tried a dry brush (or even a dry brush massage – dreamy), you’re really missing out. If you suffer from ingrown hairs, flaky skin, or cystic body acne, then you need to incorporate a dry brush into your routine. Before you shower, you use this brush with nothing on it (hence the name), and you brush it over your skin in one direction, upwards. I have found that this really helps alleviate any pimples or bumps that develop from ingrown hairs trapped under dry skin. It keeps my legs and upper arms very smooth, and I like to do it before shaving anywhere so that it releases everything. I just highly recommend and it’s an affordable element to incorporate into your regular routine.

So you’ve exfoliated, and now you need to hydrate and bring some moisture back into your skin. And there are of course thousands of lotions and potions out on the market, at various price points. But there are a few that are favorites of mine. My number one lotion has been and will likely always be Creme de Corps from Kiehl’s. It is fragrance-free, and just leaves a visible layer of glow and hydration without feeling sticky. I always buy it in these big pump bottles because they are very much worth the money. My favorite combination is to take two droppers of this Isle of Paradise tanner with hyaluronic acid (the hydrator of all hydrators), and lather my whole body post-shower and shave. Not only will you have a moisturized and soft skin, but you’ll also have the added glow and color from the tanning serum, without the smell that most tanning products leave. This is a must-try for winter, or you could try Kiehl’s holiday edition of my fave lotion.

I also really love this body firming lotion from Beautybio, but it comes with a steep price tag. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, then I absolutely suggest any lotions from CeraVe. They are available at all drug stores or Amazon, and they pack a punch of hydration. I use this one when my skin is extremely irritated or itchy from eczema, and I love keeping it in the fridge for some extra cooling relief. And this one is perfect for every day hydration- I keep a big tub in my medicine cabinet when I need an extra boost of hydration around my neck or chest where I’m prone to rashes.

And for my fellow bath lovers – you must try this soak from Herbivore. It’s a nourishing coconut bath powder, and it creates a milkier consistency in the tub to keep your skin hydrated even with hot baths, which can cause dryness. This is an excellent addition that doesn’t really have a scent, so it’s the perfect pairing for your favorite bubbles.

Last but not least, do not sleep on body oils for your skin. Add a drop of vitamin E oil to any of your lotions, and you’re going to have very hydrated skin – this is especially great if you have any scarring like I do from my breast reduction, which tend to get itchier in dry weather. And I just bought this luxe oil for hair, body and face from my favorite brand, Oribe. Not only is the scent so gorgeous, but I love a multi-purpose oil. Hot tip from my hair stylist- take a dropper of this and rub onto your feet before bed – add some socks to lock in that hydration. No one hates having soft feet – period.

Bottom line, don’t forget about the rest of your body when you’re thinking about skincare. It deserves just as much attention as your face, and keeping it hydrated is going to prevent signs of aging and damaged skin. It also allows you to maintain a regular maintenance of skin checks to notice things that might need your dermatologist’s attention. As we get into the colder months when many of us might shave less, give your body that extra exfoliation and hydration it’s missing.

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