It happens almost overnight. One morning you step outside, feel the first real bite of cold, and by evening your knuckles are tight, your lips are dry, and your face feels like it is a size too small. The first cold snap of the season catches most of us off guard, because our skin has not had time to adjust.
The good news is that a few small habits, started now, can keep your hands, lips, and face comfortable well into winter.
Why Hands and Lips Struggle First
- The skin is thin and has fewer oil glands. Hands and lips have less natural oil than most of the face and body, so they lose moisture first.
- We wash our hands constantly. Frequent washing, especially in cold weather, removes natural oils.
- Cold, windy air pulls moisture out of skin. Add dry indoor heat and there is little relief.
- Lips have no oil glands of their own, which is why they chap so easily.
- Hot water feels good but dries skin out. Long, hot showers and baths can leave skin drier than before.
Why a Rich, Water-Free Cream Makes a Difference
Many products marketed as moisturizers list water as their first ingredient, but skin produces oil, not water, so a richer, oil-based cream tends to be a better match for dry, chapped skin. Renew Face & Body Cream is made with beeswax, golden jojoba oil, and sweet almond oil, scented with lavender, frankincense, and cedarwood atlas essential oils. Beeswax helps hold moisture in the skin and keep it from evaporating, which is exactly what chapped skin needs.
It comes in a small glass jar and works on face, hands, lips, and body.
Core Concepts for Cold-Weather Skin
Moisturize right after washing. Skin holds on to moisture best when it is still slightly damp.
Seal it in at night. A rich cream before bed gives skin hours to absorb and repair.
Be gentle with exfoliation. Light, occasional exfoliation helps cream absorb, but cracked or irritated skin should never be scrubbed.
Use lukewarm water. It is kinder to your skin than hot.
A Simple Cold-Weather Routine
Hands
- Wash with a nourishing bar like Handcrafted Soap, made with oils like shea butter, olive, coconut, and sunflower and scented with essential oils rather than artificial fragrance.
- Moisturize with Renew Cream after washing, using a small amount and rubbing it in thoroughly.
- Try an overnight hand treatment. Apply a slightly thicker layer before bed and slip on a pair of cotton gloves.
- Exfoliate lightly once a week with Revitalize Sugar Scrub, then moisturize right away. Skip it if skin is cracked or sore.
Lips
- Smooth them gently once a week with Rise & Shine Face & Lip Coffee Scrub, using light pressure and rinsing well.
- Follow with a dab of Renew Cream. Many customers use it on their lips.
- Skip licking your lips. Saliva evaporates quickly and leaves lips drier.
Face
- In the morning, use a lightweight moisturizer such as Rejuvenate Facial Moisturizer that absorbs quickly.
- At night, switch to the richer Renew Cream if your skin feels tight.
Body
- Take a warm (not hot) soak with Bath Soaks, then moisturize while skin is still damp.
Common Cold-Weather Mistakes
- Waiting until skin cracks. It is easier to prevent dryness than to repair it, so start your routine at the first chill.
- Scrubbing chapped skin. This worsens irritation.
- Skipping gloves outdoors. Cold wind is one of the biggest triggers for chapped hands.
- Long, hot showers. Keep them short and warm.
- Relying on a product with water as its first ingredient. For very dry skin, a richer, oil-and-beeswax formula tends to last longer.
What Customers Are Saying
“I have tried over 20 different face creams over the years & the Renew Face and Body Cream really moisturizes my face for the entire day. It is not oily, it naturally seeps into my skin and gives my face a nice glow. I also use this on my hands and it has helped so much in the Minnesota winters with my chapped hands! I would highly recommend this face cream!”
— Laflamme, customer review of Renew Face & Body Cream
Founder's Quote
“You can put it on at night as a night cream and it's very nourishing, it's very rich. I even rub it on my hands afterwards, and then when you wake up in the morning there's no greasy feel and your skin just looks hydrated and it looks nourished.”
— Brooke Summers, Founder of Rooted For Good
Best Practices & Key Takeaways
- Start your routine at the first cold snap, not after cracking begins.
- Moisturize hands after every wash.
- Apply a richer cream at night.
- Exfoliate gently and only on intact skin.
- Use lukewarm water and wear gloves outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my hands get so dry in the fall? Cold air, dry indoor heat, and frequent handwashing all pull moisture from skin, and hands have fewer oil glands to replace it.
What is the best way to keep lips from chapping? Avoid licking them, apply a rich balm or cream regularly, and gently smooth away flaky skin about once a week.
Can I use a face cream on my hands and lips? Yes. Renew Face & Body Cream is made for face, hands, lips, and body, and many customers use it all over.
How often should I exfoliate in cold weather? Once a week is plenty for most people. If your skin is cracked, sore, or irritated, skip exfoliation until it heals.
Is beeswax good for dry skin? Beeswax helps hold moisture in the skin, which is why it is a popular ingredient in nourishing creams and balms.
When should I see a doctor? If your skin is cracked, bleeding, painful, or not improving with consistent moisturizing, check with a doctor or dermatologist.
Bringing It All Together
You do not have to wait for winter to protect your skin. A rich cream, gentle cleansing, lukewarm water, and a little weekly care for your lips and hands will keep you comfortable through the first cold snap and all the cold months that follow.
Rooted For Good's skincare is handmade in small batches in Louisiana with no preservatives or artificial fragrances, and 10% of every purchase helps feed children and families in need, so caring for your skin also means caring for someone else's day.