The Best Winter Skincare Products: Body Butter, Lotion, and Oils for Dry Skin

Hey, Goddess! Feel that winter chill in the air? When that cold creeps in, your skin tends to bear the brunt of the harsh weather. Dry, flaky skin is a common concern – so it’s essential to switch up your skincare routine. 

Let's look at how body butters, lotions, and oils can help fight off your skin’s dry, winter woes.

Understanding Skin's Needs During Winter

Winter can be a challenging time for your skin. As temperatures drop, so too does the moisture level in the air. This leads to a common seasonal issue: dry, itchy, and irritated skin. This uncomfortable condition is often deepened with efforts to keep warm with indoor heating.

But in the winter months, your skin is not just battling against dryness. It's also up against redness and UV damage. 

Yes, even in the colder months, UV rays can affect your skin, making it all the more important to understand your skin's needs during this time.

One of the key factors to consider in winter skincare is moisture retention. 

Your skin naturally contains water – it's what keeps it plump, flexible, and resilient. 

But when winter arrives with its cold, dry air, it can rob your skin of this moisture. Without adequate hydration, your skin can become dry, tight, and prone to cracking.

So maintaining healthy skin during winter isn't just about adding moisture, but rather it's about retaining it. Because without proper care, your skin can lose its ability to hold on to moisture. This will lead to persistent dryness no matter how much lotion you apply.

But don't let the cold weather get under your skin! 

Embrace the season with a skincare routine that caters to your skin's needs and keeps you feeling radiant and nourished all winter long.

Choosing the Right Product

When selecting winter skincare products, understanding your skin type and what it needs during the colder months is important.

Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and shea butter can be particularly beneficial in maintaining skin health and hydration during winter. 

• Hyaluronic acid is a powerful moisturizer that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It's suitable for all skin types (including acne-prone skin) since it doesn't clog pores or cause breakouts.
• Ceramides are lipids that help lock in moisture and protect the skin from environmental stressors. Products with ceramides are especially useful for dry and aging skin, which often experiences a decrease in natural ceramide production.
• Shea butter is high in fatty acids and vitamins, providing intense moisturization and soothing for the skin. It's a common ingredient in body butters and is ideal for dry or cracked skin, particularly during the harsh winter months.

When choosing a winter skin product, consider your skin type and its specific needs: 

• Dry skin: Look for rich, soothing creams or body butters with shea butter and ceramides that can provide deep hydration and reinforce the skin's barrier.
• Acne-prone skin: Opt for non-comedogenic products that won't clog pores. Hyaluronic acid would be a good fit as it provides hydration without contributing to oiliness or breakouts.
• Aging skin: Will benefit from products containing hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and shea butter, which can help boost moisture levels and improve skin elasticity.

Remember, the best winter skincare routine is the one that works for you. 

Listen to your skin, adjust your routine as necessary, and don't be afraid to experiment until you find what keeps your skin happy and healthy during winter.

Body Butter vs. Lotion in Winter Skincare

Two of the most popular moisturizing product options are body butter and lotion. But which one is right for you can depend on your needs. 

Let’s look at these two skin products a little closer.

What's the difference between body lotion and body butter?

Body lotion

• Generally lighter and more fluid since they’re from a blend of oil and water. 
• Absorbs quickly while leaving a non-greasy finish.
• Perfect for everyday use and are ideal for normal to slightly dry skin types.

Body butter

• Are much thicker and richer. They're typically made with high concentrations of butter and oils (like shea or cocoa butter) and contain little to no water.
• Deeply nourishing by providing a heavy-duty dose of hydration for dry or cracked skin.
• Forms a protective barrier over the skin's surface to lock in moisture and prevent water loss. 

Which one should you choose for your winter skincare routine?

As we've highlighted earlier, winter can wreak havoc on your skin by causing it to lose moisture rapidly. 

A thicker, moisturizer-locking product like body butter can offer enhanced protection by both adding moisture back into your skin and keeping it in.

That said, it doesn't mean you should disregard lotions entirely. On less cold days or when your skin feels adequately hydrated, a lighter lotion might be all you need. 

The key is to listen to your skin and adjust your routine accordingly.

Does Goddess of the Sea offer a body butter or body lotion?

We don’t carry body lotion, but we do have 2 amazing body butters!

Both body butters are handcrafted with natural ingredients and are designed to keep your skin soft, supple, and hydrated.

Body Butter

This luxurious body butter is a unique blend of four butters (cocoa, mango, shea, and kokum), and deeply hydrating oils. And it comes in 2 delicious scents: pink sugar and strawberry champagne.

Our body butter’s rich, smooth, and creamy texture instantly softens and moisturizes your skin to provide unmatched moisture and healing properties. Perfect for winter skincare, it helps to combat dryness caused by cold weather, hot showers, and heat. 

It's also beneficial for people with sensitive skin, dry skin, dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema.

Unscented Body Butter

Ideal for those who prefer fragrance-free skincare products, this unscented body butter offers all the benefits of the original body butter. 

It delivers intense hydration and nourishment to the skin, thanks to its combination of four butters and hydrating oils. 

It's an excellent choice for maintaining skin's health during winter, providing a layer of protection against harsh weather conditions, and soothing dry and sensitive skin.

The Role of Oils in Winter Skincare

Natural oils like coconut, olive, sunflower seed, and shea butter oil have been used for centuries in skincare for their potent moisturizing and healing properties.

• Coconut oil is rich in saturated fats that help to repair the skin's natural barrier function, making it an excellent choice for dry or damaged skin.
• Olive oil contains antioxidants and healthy fatty acids that nourish the skin, providing deep hydration and enhancing skin health.
• Sunflower seed oil is high in linoleic acid, which can help maintain the skin's natural barrier and improve its ability to retain moisture. 
• Shea butter oil is abundant in essential fatty acids, which contribute to its deeply moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties.

When used appropriately, these natural oils can significantly aid in maintaining skin hydration and barrier function during winter. 

However, it's crucial to consider your skin type and sensitivity before incorporating any new oil into your routine.

For instance, while coconut oil works wonders for dry skin, it could potentially clog pores and cause breakouts for those with oily or acne-prone skin. Similarly, some oils can be quite potent and may irritate if not properly diluted.

The goal of any skincare routine is to nurture your skin – not overwhelm it. So always start with small amounts, observe how your skin reacts, and adjust accordingly.

What oil does Goddes of the Sea use in their body oils?

We use shea butter oil in our body oils because shea butter is considered to be gentle and well-tolerated by many skin types (including sensitive skin). 

It's known for its moisturizing and nourishing properties making it ideal for dry winter skin. Plus, it contains vitamins A and E, which are beneficial for the skin, and has anti-inflammatory properties.

We have 6 incredible body oils you can choose from (or don’t choose and get one of each!):

Poetic Jasmine Shea Butter Oil

This oil combines the moisturizing power of shea butter with the calming scent of jasmine. It hydrates and nourishes the skin to combat the dryness and irritation often experienced during winter months.

Papaya Agave Shea Butter Body Oil

This potent moisturizer harnesses the natural benefits of shea butter and agave. It's perfect for soothing dry winter skin and provides a layer of protection against harsh weather conditions.

Strawberry Champagne Shea Butter Oil

This oil offers a sweet, invigorating scent of strawberry and vanilla while delivering the hydrating benefits of shea butter. Ideal for brightening up cold winter days and keeping skin soft and supple.

King Salim Shea Butter Oil

A unique blend tailored for men, King Salim combines the nourishing properties of shea butter with a masculine scent. It helps to prevent dry, flaky skin that can come with colder weather.

Smoking Gun Shea Butter Oil

Designed for men, Smoking Gun offers a distinctive masculine fragrance while delivering the rich, moisturizing benefits of shea butter. This oil ensures your skin remains smooth and supple throughout the colder months.

Additional Winter Skincare Tips

Aside from choosing the right skincare products, there are several other steps you can take to protect your skin and keep it healthy during winter. 

Here are some additional tips to consider:

• Avoid hot showers: It might be tempting to warm up with a hot shower or bath, but heat can strip the skin of its natural oils. Instead, opt for lukewarm water and keep your showers short to prevent excessive drying.
• Use gentle cleansers: Some soaps and cleansers can be harsh on the skin. Choose gentle cleansers with natural ingredients that will clean your skin without stripping it of its moisture.
• Don't forget sunscreen: The sun's UV rays can still cause damage in winter, especially since snow can reflect up to 80% of UV radiation. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day (even cloudy ones!).
• Consider your indoor environment: Indoor heating can make the air inside your home dry. Use a humidifier to help add moisture back into the air and help prevent skin dryness.
• Wear soft, breathable fabrics: Layering clothing can help keep you warm, but certain materials like wool can be irritating to the skin. Try to wear soft, breathable fabrics closest to your skin, and layer with warmer, heavier items over that.

Embrace the Cold with a Nourishing Winter Skincare Routine

Winter can be a challenging season for skin health, but with the right care and high-quality products, it's entirely possible to maintain radiant, well-hydrated skin throughout the colder months.

By using gentle, natural oil-based products like our Shea Butter Body Oils, you can help protect your skin and keep it nourished & healthy. 

Here's to a glowing winter season!