This time of year, I receive so many inquiries regarding how to cope with dry winter skin.  What are the best natural oils for winter skin?  How best to manage issues like dryness, redness and irritation? What are the best moisturisers for your face? and basically how to treat dry winter skin.

As soon as the weather starts to turn frigid outdoors, your skin can become dry, parched, and a little sensitive.

Cheryl, the founder of Cherish Beauty, addresses these questions and shares her top recommendations for navigating this difficult time of year and sailing through the winter months with plump, beautiful skin.

What natural ingredients are best for dry skin?

These are some of my favourite natural ingredients to look for in your skin care, along with why I believe they matter:

Natural Plant Butters – Super delicate and emollient, they’re fantastic for repairing the skin barrier, soothing dry, sensitive skin, and preventing moisture loss.  Shea butter and cocoa butter are two of my favourites.

Shea Butter – Great for Dry Winter Skin

Healing and anti-inflammatory qualities

Shea butter use in skincare dates back to the ancient Egyptians (Cleopatra knew a thing or two!).  It’s anti-inflammatory and deeply moisturising effects have been well demonstrated.  Applying Shea butter products to your face can help to reduce redness and swelling.

Emollient characteristics

Shea butter’s rich natural tree-nut oils absorb beautifully into your skin, leaving a smooth and silky barrier that locks moisture in. It is loaded with Vitamin E and fatty acids which provide deep moisture without feeling greasy.

Anti-aging benefits

Shea Butter’s high Vitamin A content ensures that it is excellent for cellular turnover and collagen production, helping you look younger.

All Cherish Beauty moisturisers contain Shea Butter.

As mentioned in the book Shea Butter – The Nourishing Properties of Africa’s Best-kept Natural Beauty Secret, Shea butter has long been used in Africa for natural skincare and beauty benefits: “Shea not only provides unequalled skin moisturising, it is clinically proven to heal skin and reduce inflammation.”

Cocoa Butter – Not Just for Chocolate

High in Vitamin E

Cocoa butter is a good natural source of vitamin E, which has numerous health benefits and is excellent for dry winter skin. Because cocoa butter is high in fatty acids, it’s known for its ability to moisturize and nourish the skin while also improving suppleness.

Maintain Skin Hydration

Fatty acids aid in skin hydration and form a protective barrier that keeps moisture in and keeps your skin from drying out.

Natural Skin Rejuvenation Properties

Cocoa butter relieves itching and allows the skin to heal after a flare-up due to its high moisture content and protective oil-based composition.

Plant Oils for Dry Winter Skin

For dry skin, plant oils high in oleic acid are richer and more moisturizing. Oleic acid is an omega 9 fatty acid that has a strong affinity with our own sebum, making it deeply nourishing.  It also aids in the maintenance of skin suppleness and flexibility.

One of my favourite natural plant oils is Avocado oil.  It is high in vitamins A and D and is incredibly nourishing and softening.

Argan oil is another of my firm favourites.  It is fast absorbing and a “dry oil,” meaning it has all of the important fatty acids without the greasy feel that some plant oils have.

What are the Best Natural Products for Dry Winter Skin?

The ideal products will be those that are suitable for your skin.

Natural face oils are great for dry winter skin since they moisturize and protect it.  But there’s a catch: not everyone is a fan of facial oils.

If you haven’t done so previously, I would recommend trying a facial oil. We have a wonderful range of 100% natural face serums and samples are available too.

However, if utilizing an oil doesn’t appeal to you, move on. Nobody knows your skin like you do.

The Best Face Cream for Dry Winter Skin

A cream is beneficial to thirsty, parched skin and is especially beneficial in cold weather. It is ideal for wintertime since it’s rich, gentle, and non-irritating, and packed full of fabulous plant oils.

Cherish Beauty Daily Moisturisers are rich but light in texture, and because they are concentrated, only a small amount is required.

So, which moisturizer is best for winter skin?

Dry winter skin can be helped by a cream, face oil, or balm, but it all depends on the ingredients and their compatibility with your skin.

Try a cream if your skin is papery and dry and you prefer a richer texture with more staying power.

If the prospect of a cream’s rich texture gives you the creeps, you’ll probably be happier with a lighter texture, such as a face oil.

While a facial oil might feel highly nourishing, it can also feel ‘thinner’ and lighter.

Texture is a matter of personal preference; in the winter, I prefer a richer, heavier texture since I enjoy the way it feels on my skin and want it to last all day.

What matters most, however, is what you like on your skin and how it makes you feel.

Remember that you can stack products to achieve the proper level of moisture for your skin, but with a lighter skin feel than a thick cream.

If you’re going out into the elements, combine a face oil with a cream, and for a day working from home, just use the face oil.