Canadian winters are tough. There’s no denying it. It’s long, and unpredictable, and harsh. After a month of it, you start feeling like a prune, all wrinkled up, and dried out. Do we even want to talk about the Valentine’s Day/Family Day long weekend, when the weather (including windchill) felt like -42C? It was so cold that there was a real risk of getting frostbite if you were outside without gloves/hats for even half an hour!
The thing is, having grown up in Canada, you start learning how to best look after yourself when it comes to defending yourself to the cold, chapped skin and lips. Here are some of my favourite hydration booster to defending yourself from the cold, harsh winters, for every parts of the body!
1. Nivea In Shower Body Lotion ($8.99, available here)
The first of its kind, Nivea’s In-Shower body lotion is something of an innovation to reduce the hassle when it comes to applying lotion post-shower. You know how much extra time one person can save by skipping the lotion application? I know, right? So this in shower body lotion is something of a lifesaver. You apply the lotion whilst you’re in shower, and rinse like usual. The formula leaves the skin hydrated and nourished so that you can skip applying lotion later on. Why didn’t anyone think of this before?
2. L’Oreal Re-Nutrition Nourishing Cream Care with Royal Jelly ($13.99
Royal jelly is a big deal in Asia. If you’ve been there in the last 5 years or so, chances are you’ll find an abundance of products that have some sort of royal jelly infused in it. This hair cream was somewhat of a lucky find for me – my hair was so dried out after a recent trip and I tried this lotion on a whim. I apply it every night before I go to bed. Although the change isn’t as drastic as I would like it to be, it does help prep the hair for the morning when, guaranteed, you’ll likely find me straightening my hair.
3. MAC Moisture Fix ($40, available here)
So this is just a fancy, super-expensive moisturizer that I decided to try on a whim. But so what? I know spending $40 on a moisturizer is nothing short of crazy. It’s hydrating and moisturizing enough, but if you don’t really care for a brand name then I’d say you don’t need this. However, if you love and adore MAC’s Fix+ and want the moisturizer version of that magical liquid, this is it!
4. Bioderma Hand Creme ($6, available here)
I love this hand cream as well as the Vichy one (that took the top spot as “the best hand cream ever!” on the blog in 2012!) When I prefer something that’s not scented, this is one I reach out for. No fuss, and works like a charm, this is my bedside staple!
5. NUXE Reve de Miel ($23, available here)
I’m sure I’m not the first nor will I be the last person to rave about this product, but hey, the French got it right with the formula. Infused with honey (honey! Mother’s Nature’s best defence and fixer of all things!) this pot of balm is moisturizing and applying it makes me feel all fancy and elegant like the Parisian woman who’ll likely have one of these in her purse.
6. Homeoplasmine (€8.99, available here)
I really had to throw this one in. I know it looks more like a medicine and does not look like it belongs on a beauty blog. However, when it comes to feeling super dried out, and when nothing else works, this is my go-to. Chapped lips, dried out hands, dried elbows, healing (not cleaning) a cut, this thing is magical! When my lip balm or hand cream don’t cut it anymore, and I need to look as soft as a baby tomorrow morning, you’ll find me slathering this all over!
Now it’s your turn! Have you tried any of these hydration boosters? As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Share with me comment section or through Twitter or Instagram!