Dry, Winter Skin? BURT’S BEES TO THE RESCUE!

I don’t know about you, but winter weather kicks my skins ass. Seriously.

My hands get drier than the Sahara Dessert, my face is lacking that dewy feeling and my lips …well, they just hurt! Every winter I lace my gloves up and prepare for the age old battle with dry, cracked skin.

My saviour the past couple years comes from a brand that’s been popping up more and more in my bathroom cabinet and night table, a leader in the natural skincare world; Burt’s Bees. Their line-ups of hand lotions are soothing and replenishing beyond belief, their foot care creams are unparalleled and their lip products are to die for. What can I say, I’m a Burt’s Bees gal!

I’ve teamed up with the Burt’s Bees crew and I’m excited to share with you some of their top products to cure your winter blues. Why does our skin get so dry in the winter? How can we take the best care of our body’s largest, and most viable organ? Check out the top 5 causes of dry, winter skin, how to cope with them and the best Burt’s Bees products to get you through the cold months:

1. HEATING

Nothing quite says winter like being curled up on your couch, fireplace on and hot chocolate in hand while you flip flop over what to watch on Netflix. I’m a sucker for making my house like 100ºC in the colder months (warning: this does not make for a happy husband) and while I’m enjoying basking in the heat it’s actually reducing humidity in my home and drying out my skin.

Solution: Use a humidifier to increase moisture levels around your home, or at least in the rooms you spend the most time in.

Kiki’s Product Recommendation: The hypoallergenic Burt’s Bees Soothingly Sensitive Aloe and Buttermilk Lotion is a great, everyday product. I keep one of these in my kitchen so it’s easily accessible. Great for those with sensitive skin, the natural extracts found within this lotion such as chamomile, calendula and linden flower sooth irritated skin while providing 24 hour hydration.

We can get so caught up in taking care of our face and body that we often forget about our feet. I like to treat my feet with the Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Cream which is packed with natural ingredients like coconut oil, lanolin and vegetable glycerin (glycerin is great because it helps keep moisture in). These gentle ingredients are a lot more friendly and effective on your skin than other products on the market. Not only does this cream smell fresher than the prince of Bel Air, but the rosemary and peppermint oils help wake up those tired toes. If your feet are in need of an extra boost of moisture try massaging the cream into your feet and popping on a pair of cotton socks overnight. You’ll wake up with smoother than smooth feet.

2. STRONG WINDS

Temperature and humidity levels drop heavily in the winter, leaving the air cold and dry. Harsh winds can strip the moisture from your skin, making it feel dry and look flaky.

Solution: Protect your skin when outside by laying up, and make sure to wear sunscreen …you may not see the sun but it sees you.

Kiki’s Product Recommendation: One of Nitin’s favourites, the uber rich Burt’s Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Cream is a great moisturizer packed with almond oil and vitamin E. The beeswax helps to seal and protect your hands from outside elements, so if it’s not in my purse it’s sitting pretty in our kitchen.

3. LICKING LIPS

I get it. Your tongue is right there, just waiting to provide some soothing relief to your dry, chapped lips. Just remember, once you lick your lips the saliva evaporates, leaving them drier than they initially were.

Solution: Don’t lick or peel your lips, and ensure you keep them coated in a lip balm (even under your lipstick).

Kiki’s Product Recommendation: The Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm with vitamin E and peppermint doesn’t leave my night table. I also keep a spare in the office and my purse so I can re-apply throughout the day. This 100% natural product goes on smooth and keeps my lips protected under my lipstick. The great thing about Burt’s Bees is their FANTASTIC line of lip care products. If you need a little colour their lip crayons, tinted lip balms, shines and shimmers are some of the best on the market. Not only do they actually work, but they go on so smooth! For more information check out my post on Top Lip Products to Conquer Dry, Chapped Lips.

4. LONG, HOT SHOWERS

Ahh, the perfect way to end your day. Uhh, wrong! Long, hot showers can zap the moisture from your skin, leaving behind the dreaded scaly look.

Solution: Limit your showers to 10 minutes or bathe in warm (not hot) water

Kiki’s Product Recommendation: It’s important to apply cream to your skin while it is still damp so can you lock in the moisture. Within 3 minutes of getting out of the shower I’m lathering on the Burt’s Bees Richly Replenishing Cocoa and Cupuacu Butters Body Lotion. Recommended for dry skin, this lightweight lotion goes on smooth and is clinically proven to moisturize for up to 24 hours. Did I mention how awesome it smells?!

I’m also a huge fan of the Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes in pink grapefruit. These little guys are gentle enough for everyday use and the citrus oil (featured ingredient) is a natural astringent that provides a deep clean without drying out the skin.

5. FREQUENT HAND WASHING

I’m a germophobe and am completely guilty of washing my hands way too many times in a day. If I’m not scrubbing with soap and water I’m pulling out my trusty hand sanitizer to do the trick. The problem is that your skins natural oils are once again being stripped away the more you wash.

Solution: Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you to stop washing your hands. I am however going to challenge you to create a good moisturizing routine. I try and get in the habit of applying cream to my hands every time I wash them. While this isn’t always possible, it does help keep my hands from drying out and becoming rough.

Kiki’s Product Recommendation: Serious times call for serious measures. The Burt’s Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream is the holy grail of hand creams. Filled with cocoa butter and sesame oil (you can actually see the oil when you use it), this is my go-to hand cream when I’m in dire need of hydration. I also love the fresh, earthy scent as it reminds me of the spas in Bali. Another great product is the Burt’s Bees Hand Salve which provides instant relief of rough, winter hands.

Lastly, let’s not forget about our beloved cuticles. Burt’s Bees has an awesome Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme that helps to nourish and moisturize nails and cuticles. I use this at home at least once a week, or more if I’m pampering myself with a manicure.