Why Winter Is Hard on Skin (And Why I Made Our Body Butters)

Winter has never been kind to my skin. Every year, as soon as the heat came on, my skin would get tight, rough, and dry, especially on my shins. Store-bought lotions felt nice for an hour, then disappeared.

So I decided enough was enough and started making something richer for myself in my own kitchen. That's how our body butters were born.

Why skin gets so dry in winter

Cold air outside and heated air inside both pull moisture from your skin. Add long hot showers and you're stripping away the natural oils that keep your skin barrier comfortable. The result is that tight, flaky, itchy feeling so many of us know too well.

What I wanted in a body butter

I wanted real butters and oils, not a watery lotion. Our body butters are made with organic shea and cocoa butters, babassu, jojoba, sunflower, and coconut oils, plus vegetable glycerin and raw honey to help skin hold onto moisture. Calendula oil adds a gentle, comforting touch.

There are two to choose from: Lavender, with a clean, calming scent, and Cacao, warm and decadent. Both melt in without feeling greasy.

My winter skin habits

• Keep showers warm, not hot. Hot water strips your skin's natural oils.
• Moisturize within a few minutes of drying off. Slightly damp skin holds onto moisture best.
• Exfoliate gently once or twice a week. Our Lavender Whipped Sugar Scrub clears away dullness so moisture can do its job.
• Run a humidifier at night. It makes a real difference in a heated bedroom.
• Don't forget your shins, elbows, and hands. They're usually the first to dry out.

If your skin is cracked, painful, or itchy for more than a couple of weeks, please see a doctor or dermatologist. Some skin conditions need more than a good moisturizer.

For everyday winter dryness, though, a rich body butter and a few good habits go a long way. I hope you love them as much as I do.

Lots of Love,

Norma