Winter Essentials

I’ve been meaning to round up some of my winter essentials to post for a while now and then Ru of ShortSmallSweet.net tagged me to share mine her winter essential post! Perfect timing because February is always the coldest month here in North Carolina, but it quickly warms up afterward. By April we can even see days in the high 70’s or low 80’s.. Oh, how I’m dreaming of those days! For now, the name of the game is trying to stay hydrated and keep my skin from becoming the Sahara Desert. Hint: Balms really steal the show this post

I love my BKR water bottle. You may be surprised to see a water bottle on a winter essentials post, but I have really come to appreciate staying hydrated during the winter just as much as I do during the summer. Everything is dryer with the heat running all the time (I recently checked the humidity level on our thermostat and it’s waayyy low). You’re losing moisture constantly from your skin, so just as it’s important to hydrate with balms and lotions on the outside, you need to hydrate on the inside to keep moisture levels up! I read a really interested post recently, about how much moisture we lose at night while we’re sleeping in our warm beds. The air in the room is generally much cooler than your body temperature and you end up losing moisture through condensation in your breath all night. I can’t remember where I read it, but it definitely made me want to drink even more water! $30

Honest Co.’s Healing Balm is a go to for my kids and myself during these cold months. Everything from little eczema patches, to dry cuticles, to chapped baby lips, this multitasker handles it all. Since I get bundles from Honest Co. anyways, this is an easy add on, but I also hear the Zoe Organics Everything Balm is just as amazing. $12.95 (cheaper if you bundle)

Speaking of Honest Co., we’ve made good use of their Breathe Easy Rub this winter. ‘Tis the season for colds and everything else that toddler and preschool age children bring home and spread to the rest of the family. I use this on my kid’s chests and necks and also on the bottoms of their feet (the pores are biggest there, helping to absorb the essential oils and put them in the blood stream faster). My husband and I also use it! $9.95 (cheaper if you bundle)

Fig and Yarrow Alpine Foot Butter has been a life saver. I even use it on my elbows and hands when they’re really dry. It’s very refreshing and very moisturizing with a blend of Shea butter and coconut oil, along with essential oils. $18

Ok, I know I’ve talked about Silkka Garden Apothecary and their wonderful balms before, but seriously, they smell amazing and really work! The Sweet Orange + Mango Body Balm is simply one of the most delicious balms I own and brings a little sunshine on those dark, cold days of winter. $11.99

Lip balms are a definite winter essential!! I have a ton but I love S.W. Basics of Brooklyn’s lip balm and keep a couple stashed in my drawer and purse at all times. Also, I just got Meow Meow Tweet’s and can’t wait to try it. $2.80 each (on sale now at Beauteabar.com)

Last but not least! I keep a big ‘ole jar of coconut oil around. My hair is dry like the rest of me right now, and it makes the most amazing hair mask. Seriously, my hair feels silky and amazing for days after I use it. It’s also great for just and all around moisturizer!

What are some of your winter essentials?