3 Essential Steps to Winter-Proof Your Skin

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

This post is sponsored post by Mirum Shopper, however all opinions and extremely dry skin are 100% my own.

Many people ask me why we relocated from Upstate NY to The Sunshine State. And you know what my #1 answer is?

The weather. 

Winters up North are downright COLD. Every day I felt like I would never warm up. My toes froze in the thickest of socks, my nose gave Rudolph a run for his money, and my skin was so dry it looked like someone sprinkled dandruff all over the furniture.

SO gross!

Thankfully, it’s much better now {although the constant air conditioning is a whole other story}, but I know not everyone has the luxury of sunshine and warm temps all year. That’s why I’m sharing three essential tricks to keep your skin looking healthy and lush during those long Winter months, no matter where you are.

I use these tips any time I head back to NY for Thanksgiving or Christmas, and yes, I even use them in the South. Because 60 degrees is no joke when you’re a Floridian! 😉

1. Use Lip Balm That Actually Works

Have you ever used chapstick that felt more like a sticky layer of….nothing? Oh sure, it smell’s like strawberry and leaves a touch of color for 5 minutes, but it’s probably not the best option when you’re trying to avoid those “lip flakes” that are super tempting to pick off.

You know what I’m talking about right? I’m such a picker, and of course, I’ve had my fair share of bleeding lips because I can’t leave well enough alone!

If you want to avoid scratchy lips, pick a product that’s more medicinal in nature. I’m a big fan right now of Vaseline Lip Therapy because it’s like heaven in a tub. Slather it on and protect your lips from the harsher elements.

2. Exfoliate The Sluffies

“Sluffies” is the term I made up for dead flaky skin. Don’t ask me why—I’m convinced I need my own dictionary.

Anyway, while it seems like you shouldn’t mess with your skin in this harsh way, it’s actually a good thing. For moisturizer to work as effectively as the bottle claims, you have to remove all those dead skin cells first. Dead skin blocks moisture from coming through and essentially, you’re just rubbing around white flecks without getting to the healthy layer underneath.

So go ahead and use a gentle exfoliant in the shower. Just don’t scrub too hard!

3. Moisturize…Everywhere

After you get out of the shower, pat yourself with a towel to dry off {avoid rubbing}, and slather on a really good moisturizer while your skin is still damp. I personally recommend you avoid the overly scented stuff. They don’t always do a great job at moisturizing, and to be honest—kind of give me a headache!

Instead, I use Vaseline’s Advanced Repair Lotion because I have very sensitive skin, and it’s the only lotion that doesn’t irritate it. My legs get most of the cream, but I made sure to do my elbow patches and hands too.

You should also keep a thick hand cream near your sink. Get into the habit of moisturizing every time you wash your hands {or do the dishes}, and you’ll have soft, glowing skin instead of cracked fingers.

Follow these 3 simple steps and you’ll be well on your way to healthy skin during the Winter months. No more grossness when the temperature drops!

If you liked this post, I have even more ways to stay healthy this Winter:

• Beat low energy levels with 5 Powerful Ways to Fight the Winter Blues
• Say goodbye to boredom with 8 Creative Skills You Can Learn in a Weekend
• And stay active with these 9 Super Cute Workout Essentials

What are your favorite tips to get rid of dry skin?

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.