There's a lot to love about winter: cosy jumpers, early nights and a good excuse for a hot chocolate. What's less lovely is what the cold can do to your skin. If your legs feel tight after a shower, your hands look dry by lunchtime, or your elbows and knees have gone a bit ashy, you're definitely not alone.
The good news is that a winter body care routine doesn't need to be complicated. A few small changes to how you wash, when you moisturise and what you reach for can make your skin feel much more comfortable until spring. Here's how we'd approach it.
Why skin feels drier in winter
In the colder months, the air outside holds less moisture, and central heating dries out the air indoors too. Add long, hot showers and wrapping up in layers that rub against your skin all day, and it's easy to see why skin can start to feel tight, rough or flaky.
Dryness can show up differently depending on your skin tone. On deeper skin tones it often appears as an ashy, greyish look, especially on the legs, knees, elbows and hands. On lighter skin it may look more like redness or flaking. Whatever your skin, the aim is the same: help it hold on to moisture and protect it from the things that dry it out.
Step 1: Go gentle in the shower
We know a really hot shower is tempting on a freezing morning, but very hot water can leave skin feeling drier afterwards. Try turning the temperature down to warm and keeping showers on the shorter side.
It's also worth looking at your shower gel or soap. If your skin feels tight straight after washing, a gentler, creamier wash may suit you better through the winter. When you're done, pat your skin with a towel rather than rubbing it dry.
Step 2: Moisturise while your skin is still damp
This is the one habit we'd recommend above all others. Applying your body cream or butter within a few minutes of getting out of the shower, while your skin is still slightly damp, helps to lock that moisture in. Keep your moisturiser in the bathroom so it's right there when you need it.
Work it in using smooth, upward strokes, and give a little extra attention to the areas that tend to get driest: shins, knees, elbows, heels and the backs of your hands.
Step 3: Choose a richer texture for the colder months
The light lotion that works perfectly in summer might not feel like enough in January. Winter is a great time to switch to something richer, like a cream or butter, which sits on the skin a little longer and feels more nourishing.
Cocoa butter is a long-time favourite for this. It's a rich, natural fat from the cocoa bean that softens as it meets the warmth of your skin, leaving it feeling smooth and comfortable. A couple of options we love:
- Nubian Queen Cocoa Butter Cream. Our own rich, nourishing cream and a real staple for anyone who likes their body care on the indulgent side. It comes in 20oz and 30oz tubs, so there's plenty to see you through the season (and to share with the rest of the household).
- Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula. A classic that many of our customers have grown up with. The range includes the rich Cocoa Butter Formula jar with Vitamin E and an easy pump body lotion, so you can pick the texture that suits you best.
If you prefer a lighter feel during the day, you could use a lotion in the morning and save a thicker cream for the evening, when it has all night to sink in.
Step 4: Give hands and feet some extra love
Hands take a lot in winter: cold air outside, warm air inside and lots of washing. Keep a small pot or tube of cream, like the handy Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Concentrated Cream tube, by the sink or in your bag and reapply after washing your hands. Wearing gloves when you head out also really helps.
For feet, try a simple overnight treat. Massage a generous layer of a rich cream or butter into your heels and the soles of your feet before bed, then pop on a pair of cotton socks. You'll wake up to feet that feel noticeably softer.
Step 5: Exfoliate, but not too often
A gentle exfoliation once a week can help buff away dry, flaky bits so your moisturiser can do its job. A soft body scrub (such as Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Body Scrub), an exfoliating glove or a washcloth used in small circles is plenty. Go easy, though: scrubbing too hard or too often can leave skin feeling more irritated, not less.
Small habits that make a big difference
- Drink plenty of water. It's easy to forget when it's cold, but staying hydrated is good for you all round.
- Try a humidifier. If your home feels very dry with the heating on, a humidifier in the bedroom can make the air feel more comfortable.
- Choose soft fabrics next to your skin. Scratchy wool directly against dry skin can make it feel worse, so a cotton layer underneath can help.
- Don't forget your lips. A lip balm in your coat pocket is a winter must. We like Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Ultra Moisturizing Lip Balm.
When to get advice
Most winter dryness responds well to a good routine. But if your skin is very itchy, cracked, sore or not improving, it's always worth having a chat with your pharmacist or GP, as there may be something else going on. If you're trying a new product, a quick patch test on a small area first is a good idea, especially if your skin tends to be sensitive.
Your winter routine at a glance
- Shower in warm, not hot, water and keep it short.
- Use a gentle, creamy wash and pat skin dry.
- Moisturise within a few minutes, while skin is still damp.
- Switch to a richer cream or butter, like cocoa butter, for the colder months.
- Give hands, feet, knees and elbows extra attention.
- Exfoliate gently once a week.
Looking after your skin in winter is really about consistency. Find a cream you love the feel of, keep it somewhere you'll see it, and make it part of your everyday routine.
Shop the products in this post
- Nubian Queen Cocoa Butter Cream (20oz and 30oz)
- Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Jar with Vitamin E 270g
- Palmer's Cocoa Butter Body Lotion with Pump 400ml
- Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Concentrated Cream Tube 60g
- Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Body Scrub 200g
- Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Ultra Moisturizing Lip Balm
- Browse all body creams