How I Keep My Skin Hydrated in the Winter

Winter brings along many things such as cold weather, snow days, and DRY SKIN. Nobody wants cracked lips or dry hands in the winter so I'm sharing a couple of my favorite products that help keep my skin nice and moisturized.

I am constantly applying lotion all year round, however in the winter I'm applying lotion like crazy. Two of my favorites are from the aromatherapy line at Bath and Body Works -- Stress Relief and Focus. I have been getting into essential oils lately so I love that these have essential oils in them. I usually apply the Focus lotion during the day and the Stress Relief lotion at night. Another favorite brand of mine is Hempz -- which I use a good bit as well! (Which is also why I don't have a good picture to show you because it's almost gone.)

If you didn't already know, this is my FAVORITE lip product. LOL -- yes, I'm serious. For years now I have applied Vaseline to my lips nightly to keep them moisturized. I also apply this during the day if I ever feel my lips getting dry -- which I can honestly say rarely happens since I've been consistently using this product.

 Years ago I had a terrible experience with an EOS chapstick that left my lips looking like I had a disease. (It was so PAINFUL.) From then on, I pretty much just used Vaseline. I do use the Chapstick brand chapsticks as well, but this product right here is my go too -- not to mention it lasts a while!

While the first two products I mentioned have been in my routine for years, this next tip is something that I have recently been doing. As I mentioned above, I have been getting into essential oils. While I do not know the ins and outs yet, I have experimented with one thing. 

Over Christmas, my face decided to have a freak out. It was painful, red, and inflamed. I literally tried everything I had and nothing would calm it down. I knew from doing hair that tea tree was calming to the scalp so I looked up combinations to see how this essential oil could help my face.

I found a post combining the tea tree oil with unrefined coconut oil. It mentioned how it would calm the skin. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I tried it that night. The next morning I woke up, my breakouts were still there, BUT they didn't hurt as bad and they weren't as red. I was actually pretty shocked.

So I continued this for about three or four nights and noticed my breakouts reducing more and more -- until they were basically gone. Not only did I realize that this was calming to my skin, but also it made my face feel super hydrated. I now incorporate this into my routine either at night or in the morning (depending on the day).

Here's what to do if you're interested in using this combination:

1 Spoonful of Coconut Oil

5 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil
Then mix this up and let it harden in the fridge.

*You may have to heat up the coconut oil a bit in order to get it to mix easily with the essential oil.

I just keep mine in the bowl I mix it in, cover it, keep it in the fridge, and take it out whenever I use it. If you google or use Pinterest I saw a bunch of fancy ways to keep it stored, but this one was the easiest for me.

These tips may seem simple, but sometimes it's the smallest things that make the biggest difference!

Stay warm and moisturized, friends!