I grew up in northern Michigan, where winters are known for being long, dark, and cold. Last year, I moved back after spending most of my adult life in warmer climates (Los Angeles and Austin), and I won’t lie and say there was no adjustment period. In fact, I struggled to feel like myself on certain days—the cold and gloomy weather got to me.
It took some trial and error, but eventually, I noticed that certain products, habits, and rituals really helped me appreciate and even embrace winter. Now, I feel like an expert. Ahead, I’m sharing my definitive winterproof shopping guide. Keep scrolling to see all 18 products I swear by, from skin- and hair-quenching beauty products to cozy home goods and energizing wellness items.
LANEIGE
Lip Sleeping Mask in Vanilla
I can’t apply enough lip balm in the winter. I could reach for it countless times per day, and I’d still have dry, chapped lips. That’s why I keep lip masks handy. They tend to be thicker, more moisturizing, and longer-lasting. My wintertime fave is Laneige’s iconic Lip Sleeping Mask in Vanilla.
Dove
Deep Moisture Hand Wash
My hands get so dry in the cold winter air, which is why I have to be careful about what hand soaps I use. If I use one that’s too harsh, my hands will become red and irritated, and hangnails pop up. Dove’s Deep Moisture Hand Wash is my go-to. It has a creamy, lathering texture that cleans my hands without stripping them of moisture. I use it all day, every day, and my hands are still soft and smooth.
Burt’s Bees
Almond & Milk Hand Cream
A rich hand cream is an essential, and this one is my go-to. It has a thick, moisturizing texture that *actually* lasts through living and washing. I apply a generous dollop every night before bed, concentrating it on the driest parts of my hands—my knuckles and cuticles. It makes them so soft and smooth.
Aquaphor
Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy Skin Protectant
Speaking of cuticles, I tend to pick at them if they’re not moisturized properly, which leads to less-than-perfect-looking nails. To avoid that, I always apply a thin layer of Aquaphor after my hand lotion to seal in moisture. Whenever I do this, my cuticles look nearly invisible by morning.
Fable & Mane
HoliRoots Repairing Hair Mask
The dry air affects my hair just as much as it affects my skin. Since my damaged, color-treated hair is already prone to split ends and breakage, I up the ante by incorporating this hair mask into my winter hair-washing routine. The combination of coconut cream, mango butter, and banana deeply moisturizes, strengthens, and nourishes stressed strands. FYI, moisture cuts down on static, so it also helps keep my hair smooth during the hat-and-scarf season. Oh, and the scent… It’s incredible. Think lush tropical-vacation vibes.
Canopy
4-in-1 Mold Inhibiting Humidifier
This humidifier is my saving grace in the winter. It’s mold-free and mist-free, yet it keeps my skin and sinuses from drying out. I run it every night while I sleep, and I love that I can change the filter regularly and put all the components in the dishwasher to keep it clean. Did I mention it doubles as a diffuser?
de la heart
Copper Body Brush
I tend to feel dull and sluggish in the winter. Instead of staying in bed and hibernating all season long, I try to incorporate energizing habits and techniques into my routine. For example, I dry-brush before every shower to boost circulation and encourage lymphatic drainage. You can use any old dry brush, but I recommend this one because it has copper bristles. When it’s rubbed against the skin, the friction causes the copper to release beneficial ions, which are thought to improve overall skin health and vitality.
Maison Margiela
Replica By the Fireplace Ceramic Scented Candle
Yes, $200 for a candle might seem excessive, but there are two things you should know. First, it’s 21 ounces. That’s more than double the normal eight-ounce candle size. Because of this, I’ve found it has a super-long burn time. Second, it has the same scent as the iconic Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette ($85). It’s warm, cozy, and slightly spicy with notes of clove, chestnut, and vanilla. Whenever I burn this candle, I feel like I’m sitting next to a roaring fire in a Swiss ski lodge, even if I’m far from it. To me, that makes it more than worth the price tag.
UGG
Marcella Faux Fur Throw Blanket
I got this blanket for Christmas, and it was, dare I say, one of the best gifts I’ve ever been given. It’s big, silky soft, and incredibly warm. I’ve been cozying up in it constantly, and I won’t stop anytime soon.
Brooklinen
Essential Detergent in Coastal Clean
A good detergent will clean your clothes and linens without causing damage, leaving behind overly strong scents, or bringing about skin irritation. Brooklinen detergent delivers on all of those things. It leaves my clothes feeling clean and soft, has a subtle and fresh scent, and never irritates my sensitive skin. While there are multiple scents to choose from, I’ve been loving Coastal Clean lately. It has notes of cedarwood, lime, and lavender.
Typology
Radiance Mask With Yellow Clay + Organic Turmeric
The winter is the best time to double down on skin concerns like discoloration. Since I’m not out in the sun as much and it’s less intense than in the summer months, I can make more headway on brightening stubborn dark spots. While I’m a dedicated retinol user, which certainly helps, I like to add even more brightening power to my routine with this mask. It combines yellow clay with brightening turmeric, mango butter, and lemon verbena. I use it each week as part of my Sunday reset.
Kiehl’s Since 1851
Ultra Facial Cleanser
I’ve used this cleanser ever since I was in high school and I had to buy it with babysitting money. That’s how loyal I am to it. It’s a foaming cleanser that effectively removes dirt, makeup, and sunscreen, but it’s not drying in the least, thanks to ingredients like apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, and squalane.
Kiehl’s
Ultra Facial Cream
Yes, I use the matching moisturizer too. It’s been a forever favorite for three reasons: It never irritates my sensitive, redness-prone skin; the texture is near perfect, not too thick and not too thin; and the formula is chock-full of skin barrier–strengthening ingredients like squalane, glacial glycoprotein, and proceramides.
Here’s my favorite body butter of all time. There, I finally said it. I’ve been using it for years, and even though it’s expensive, I don’t think there’s another product on the market quite like it. It has a sumptuous ingredient list that includes shea, cocoa, and mango butters as well as vitamins A and E, fatty acids, and pure seed extracts. Thanks to a thick, whipped texture, it sinks into my skin, smoothing and moisturizing it for hours on end. It even soothes and prevents razor burn like a charm.
Bioderma
Atoderm Shower Oil
While I love my collection of body lotions and butters, there are days when I know I’ll be too lazy (or cold) to stand in front of the mirror after a shower to moisturize my body. In those cases, I use this. It might seem strange if you’ve never used a shower oil, but I promise it’s not heavy or greasy. Instead, it has a lightweight, silky, moisturizing texture that cleanses and softens the skin. It’s no wonder it’s a classic French pharmacy product.
One thing I won’t tolerate is cold feet. These affordable socks are so warm and cozy.
Alo
Magnesium Reset Spray
I’ve only been using this product for a short time, but I love it. It supports muscle recovery and relaxation thanks to concentrated magnesium, valerian, and arnica. I apply it to my shoulders and neck—or anywhere I’m tense—to help me relax on cold winter nights.
Moon Juice
Magnesi-Om With Magnesium and L-Theanine
Another magnesium-spiked product, this one is a powdered supplement that I mix into water and drink whenever I’m working on a sleep deficit or I’ve been extra stressed. It contains three essential forms of magnesium and L-theanine to promote calm and ensure higher-quality sleep. If there’s one thing I know to be true, it’s that sleep is extra important in the winter.
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