Yesterday in Massachusetts, we got a reprieve. After a Saturday night snowfall, Sunday saw temperatures rise to 55 degrees, a virtual heatwave at this time of year. Today, the sun is out, thank goodness, but the wind is blowing like mad bringing in a new cold or, shall I say, frigid front. Ugh.
This is what winter usually looks like here but with even more snow 😥
Between the cold wind and the dry indoor heat, my skin is visibly unhappy.
So which products do I turn to to do the best I can to hydrate and protect my skin?
I’ve teamed up with the members of The Beauty Council, and we’ve put together our winter beauty musts.
Face Care
Hyaluronic Acid: This wonderful ingredient holds up to 1000 times its weight in water. Just the antidote for winter dry conditions. I try to get HA into my skin by drinking water with NeoCell’s tart but refreshing Blueberry Liquid.
And I apply it topically with NeoCell’s citrus-scented Hyaluronic Acid serum.
Extra Hydration – Mineral Water: I just reviewed Evian Facial Spray a few days ago here, and it really is fabulous to rehydrate my face from either cold weather outside or dry indoor heat. And I can apply it right over my makeup. It’s fabulous.
Heavy Duty Moisturizers: During the winter, I bring out my heavier, more emollient facial moisturizers. For daytime, I use a heavier weight cream moisturizer with SPF like Hydroxatone AM/PM Rejuvenating Anti-Wrinkle Complex SPF 15. 
At night, I’m using Lift Labs Lift & Moisturize that leaves my skin silky soft and smooth.
If I’m extra dry, I’ll reach for the fragrant Exuviance Evening Restorative Complex or…
the soothing Ultra Repair Cream from First Aid Beauty.
Oils: Oils really are a girl’s best friend especially during the winter. I love rose hip oil for hydration when my skin is extra dry or when it’s feeling tight and almost sore. The brand I’m using now is Aura Cacia Rosehip Oil. It’s organic and very affordable! And I just noticed Aura Cacia also makes a face serum.
Eye Cream: I’ve got a slew of eye creams and serums. The ones that I find most hydrating are Hada Labo Tokyo Age Correcting Eye Cream Deep Hydration with Super Hyaluronic Acid that still feels lightweight
and Lancome Renergie Lift Multi-Action Eye Cream, a luxurious cream that doesn’t irritate the sensitive skin on my eyelids, crease and inner eye.
Body Care
Although I love long showers, I try to limit them so I don’t dry out my skin further. And in the shower, I exfoliate with a hydrating exfoliator or body polish. Lately, I’ve been using Teadora Rainforest At Dawn Body Polish that leaves my skin smooth and lightly hydrated, ready for more serious moisturization.
For my all-over dry skin, I use the big guns all year round. I have a number of favorite body butters, but the real heavyweight is 80 Acres Blood Orange Body Butter. The orange scent is just incredible! And it definitely hydrates my super dry skin.
Another favorite is especially great for when I want to apply in a hurry: DermOrganic Hand & Body Lotion in a handy pump. It’s fragrance-free, rich and easily absorbed.
I love the fact that both of these body moisturizers are natural with organic ingredients.
Lip Care
Speaking of natural with organic ingredients, my go-to lip exfoliator is the delicious, citrus-scented Teadora Rainforest At Dawn Lip Butter. It’s a gentle exfoliator that smooths my lips and leaves them moisturized.
If you follow my blog, you would probably guess that my cold weather lip care is still my favorite City Lips Lip Plumper with collagen and HA. They just had a 60% off sale so I bought two more in “clear”. No chapped lips for me this winter! It’s the only lip balm that I can put on at night and it’s still on in the morning! This stuff protects and nourishes big time!
Hand Care
To keep my hands from becoming chapped, I’ve been using La Mer Hand Treatment. Although this cream doesn’t feel heavy, my hands are kept nicely moisturized.
And throughout the day whenever I think about it, I’ll apply the DermOrganic Hand & Body Lotion.
So this is my arsenal of winter skincare hydrators and exfoliators. And I better get ready for the 14 degree temperatures that are coming this week. What’s in your winter stash for healthy, hydrated skin?
These are all great picks. I’m interested in the hyaluronic acid you can drink. I also see some of my faves on your list, to, like the FAB repair cream.
Kim recently posted…The Beauty Council: Winter Beauty Staples #TheBeautyCouncil
Check out the Neocell Blueberry Liquid with HA. It isn’t sweet but you can always put sugar or sweetener in it, but I like it a is, Kim
I haven’t ever tried a facial mist before. Maybe because I have oily skin lol.
Cosmetics Aficionado recently posted…Winter Beauty Essentials From The Beauty Council
Yes you probably don’t need the hydration like us desert dry girls do. It feels so nice. And it’s good to keep in the fridge in the summer for a hot day. And useful to spray on your makeup brushes if you’re applying glitter or powders
All of those products sound amazing! I really want to try the First Aid Beauty products, I just have to drag myself to sephora and hope for the best lol. Stay warm darling your list was great!
Jessica recently posted…Winter Beauty Staples Beauty Council Edition
Thanks, Jessica! What amazed me was how affordable the Ultra Repair Cream was – $12. The eye cream I bought from FAB was quite a bit more.
Agreed, oils are perfect for winter! Nothing gives me that level of comfort and moisture like slathering some oil on still damp skin right after the shower.
Anastasia recently posted…What Are Your Beauty Staples for Winter?
I’m putting on rosehip oil tonight. This 0 degree day did a number on my face!
Extraordinary tips, and I love your product picks! As always, you inspire me Allison!
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…The Fannie Files | An Update
You’re too sweet, Lola. I think I probably got carried away, but here in frigid NE, I need ’em all!
I need to try that Evian!
Yes, you do!
All super choices! I have a bunch of the same favorites as you! 😉 You know I love all Hada Labo, year round!! I need to try the FAB cream. I love their exfoliating pads. I hear great things about the whole line.
Amber recently posted…Winter Beauty Staples from the Beauty Council
Thanks, Amber 🙂 The Ultra Repair Cream is so good for winter, for sunburned skin, any time actually!
I have and love many of these products!
Justina recently posted…Winter Skincare Staples
Oh, glad we share them in common 🙂
I love the NeoCell serum! So nice.
Laura MyNewestAddiction recently posted…bdellium tools pink bambu brush review
The NeoCell HA serum is terrific and it smells good too.
I never knew you could find a liquid HA to add in your drinks! Love reading up on your favorite winter beauty.
Tina @ My Highest Self recently posted…Arlesienne by L’Occitane – Shower Cream, Beauty Milk, Body Oil
Thanks, Tina! I like the drinkable Neocell Blueberry Liquid! refreshing and I need the water anyway
LOOVE Ultra Repair Cream! Its such a great face moisturizer!
Jess Scull recently posted…Sigma Beauty Ethereal Radiance Collection – Swatches & Review
Ultra Repair Cream is perfect for winter cold and summer sun!
This a full blown post of some amazing items. OMG they all sound so good. I really need to try some drinkable Hyularonic Acid. I love that Teadora Scrub too. Such good stuff!!! Great post girl!!
Jamie @ Makeuplifelove recently posted…The Beauty Council | Winter Skin Care MUST Haves…
Thank you, Jamie! I like the drinkable HA 🙂
Great list! I’m lemming the La Mer!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…Urban Decay Naked on the Run Palette Swatches, Review + Look
It’s a good one! I’ll be sad when it’s finished 😉
What a great list! How is the smell of the Rosehip Oil? A few others I haven’t cared for the fragrance.
Kimberly recently posted…Facial Wipe Wednesday: Ole Henriksen The Clean Truth Brightening Cloths
Usually the bad smell comes from ferulic acid in vitamin C serums. It’s a good ingredient but it doesn’t smell great. The rosehip oil smells very herbal. I think it smells OK, but not yummy like citrus-scented vitamin C serums. But it is soooo hydrating, I adore it.
There are so many great products here! I just got the Tatcha and can’t wait to use it.
Aleya Bamdad recently posted…Tarte Bon Voyage Collector’s Set Review
I have never tried Tatcha, but I would love to.
I am with you 100%, winter for me is major hydration and heavy creams and oils. This past week has been brutal here for us in the NE
NORAH recently posted…Glam Glow ThirstyCleanse™ Daily Hydrating Cleanser Review
You said it. I couldn’t believe how cold it was, but at least it wasn’t windy here in MA. I remember the wind blowing from the Hudson River crosstown as I walked to my apt on WEA, and it was awful.
The evian water is perfect under moisturizer!
Miranda recently posted…Review: BH Cosmetics Forever Nude Sculpt & Glow Contouring Kit
and over makeup too!
I definitely have to hydrate hydrate hydrate in the winter! loved seeing your favorites
Phyrra recently posted…Melt Cosmetics Dark Matter and Love Sick Eyeshadow Stacks Review
Thank you! Yes, I must do the same.
I love First Aid Beauty products for my hands! Great choices on your list. 🙂
Jessica recently posted…Model City Polish Nemesis Skittlette #JanuaryBeauty
I haven’t tried the FAB hand cream yet. I recently bought their eye gel and I like that one too.
Great picks! The drinkable hyaluronic acid sounds really interesting- so going to have to check it out.
Bailey recently posted…Cetaphil Derma Control Oil Control Foam Wash & Moisturizer
I really like the NeoCell Blueberry Liquid. It’s a nice addition to plain water
So many great brands here!
LOVE the Teadora 🙂
Destany recently posted…Winter Beauty Staples!
Me, too. I’d love to try Teadora body lotion or butter and body wash next.
Stoked to see La Mer in your list. I have to try that! Geez, yours is really winter cold! I’ll freeze to death there!
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted…My Winter Staples
The LaMer Hand Treatment is lovely and so far, it definitely works!
Some of my faves are on here, too, like the DermOrganic hand lotion (by my bedside!) and the Teadora lip scrub. I’d love to be able to try La Mer anything! so indulgent. Sure am glad I don’t have to deal with the snow anymore, but we’re also having a bit of a cold front here in Florida – anything below 70 and people are breaking out boots and parkas…
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…Ever Wash Your Face With A Potato? You’ll Want To With PureSol Konjac #KonjacSponge
I was lucky to receive the LaMer hand treatment during Breast Cancer Awareness Month otherwise I wouldn’t have it either 😉
You have some awesome brands on your list. I definitely love Oils, they are so important for my super dry skin. 🙂
Honeygirlk recently posted…Honey’s Winter Beauty Staples – The Beauty Council
I slept in my rosehip oil last night. It feels so good.
When it was 55 degrees where I am people thought it was a polar vortex! LOL I love your picks and didn’t know you could drink HA, either!
Sheila recently posted…Makeup Of The Day 68 With ColourPop Lace & Ibiza Super Shock Shadows
Yes, you can drink HA! Neocell’s Blueberry Liquid is a nice addition to plain water!
Ahh yes, the terrible dryness of winter weather! last year we got lucky and didn’t have ANY snow, this year we had about 10 cm. so far. I started using an oil before applying my regular moisturizer in order to stay well hydrated.
Deborah recently posted…Lacquester Proud Peacock
That’s a very interesting idea, Deborah. Which oil do you use before your moisturizer? I think my rosehip oil is a bit too heavy under moisturizer.
A combination, actually – jojoba (2 parts), apricot (1 part) and almond oil (1 part). I use about 4 or 5 drops on my face, let it sink for a minute or 2 and then use the moisturizer.
Deborah recently posted…Lacquester Proud Peacock
That sounds lovely, Deborah. Thank you for the recipe. I’ve got the almond oil but not the other two. I’ll see if I can find them at Whole Foods.
I don’t think my skin would tolerate that much product, but thanks for the recommendations- I’m particularly keen on the Hada eye cream, as my underlies always are a mess. I moisturize with virgin coconut oil in the evenings, and a viva labs cream during the day. And drinking lots of water!
Beth, thanks so much for your comment. You probably don’t have as dry skin as I do. And hopefully you don’t live in freezing New England! The Hada Labo Tokyo eye cream is wonderful because it’s not heavy but it has hyaluronic acid that attracts moisture. You might like it! Coconut oil is great and I use it to make DIY beauty products, but surprisingly, on its own it isn’t hydrating enough for my skin, can you believe that? Reviva Labs makes wonderful products. I am overdue to review a trio of their products that I use at night. 🙂
I think I’ll pick up an Evian spray this summer!
Stephanie Louise (@StephLouiseATB) recently posted…KBShimmer Men are from Mars-ala Swatches & Review
It’ll be perfect for summer 🙂
Need one of each item. My skin is so dry. Just had a facial and am using a humidifier to keep my skin hydrated. Plus drinking lots of water.
Judy Freedman recently posted…Setting Intentions For 2015
The humidifier with lots of moisturizer is a great idea! I’ve been staying at Jeff’s a lot lately and his place is so dry. No humidifier anymore so I’ve taken to my old NYC apartment trick of putting a pan with water on the bedroom radiator. 🙁
I love a few of those
betzy carmona recently posted…New Year New LG L90 With Walmart Family Mobile
I’m glad you like some of my recommendations too!
great post! I have to try some of these products
Natalye recently posted…Blush and the Brozner – Too Faced: Soul Mates Blushing Bronzer in Carrie & Big Review and Swatches
Thanks, Natalye. I’m certainly piling on the skincare products this winter!