I am not someone who has ever indulged in the beauty dupe world. Most of the time it seems like no two products are alike; if it's a lipstick shade, it's never exact and foundations are so specific to the person it's hard to compare two. Also, I am someone who loves buying expensive beauty products. It is my privilege to show, yes, but if I want a specific makeup item, I want that item for a reason; for the beautiful packaging, quality, fun marketing, and the brand name. 

I don't think I personally have ever come across a dupe in my collection... until now.

If you have been following my blog for a while, you know that I suffer from incredibly dry skin. This winter though, it's been really bad, probably the worse it has ever been. I'm constantly itching and my skin is bleeding from me itching and just the dry skin patches in general.

I don't remember my skin ever feeling this parched or having this many dry patches... I didn't change anything but something must have changed in the air or my skin is just becoming more sensitive.

I've bee suffering for a few months, ever since the Fall began but I think I finally cracked the code to help me this year. These are my must-have items for smooth, hydrated skin this winter.

Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion

I notice the biggest difference between when I use this and when I don't. I always hated applying lotion when I got out of the shower and it was a step I always skipped. I hated how it made me feel and I didn't like being greasy. When Nivea released this a few years ago, I immediately bought it and my life was changed.

The in-shower body lotion is just that -- you apply it in the shower and then rinse off before you get out. I was wondering why my skin was acting up so badly and then remembered I hadn't been using this. I purchased a bottle, started using every day and voila, my dry skin was instantly better. I cannot rave about this or recommend it enough.

I use the Extra Dry skin/Cocoa Butter version and it's so rich and creamy, it makes all the difference.

Ouai Rose Body Oil

While I hate the feeling of a body lotion, I love body oil. I used to have a sample of the Caudalie Body Oil and after a shower, I'd slather it on and my skin felt so good. I figured that oil might work again for me! The only oil I had was Ouai Rose Hair & Body Oil (as I'm writing this, I remembered I have a whole thing of argan oil) and after I put it on, my skin instantly felt better. That, combined with the Nivea In-Shower Lotion has been a real saving grace.

Lip Care

Aside from my body, my lips have been insanely dry and chapped this winter. I cannot even handle it and I've been experimenting with so many different balms. Usually, Vaseline and Aquafor are the best for me but sometimes even that isn't cutting it. I am testing out two items now that if they work, I'll let you know but two saving graces have been Glossier Balm Dot Com (which I have used in the past but now I have the original and it's to die for) and the Milk Kush Lip Balm. The Milk Makeup balm is infused with cannabis so it has anti-inflammatory properties which apparently does wonders for my lips!

Scalp Care

My scalp has also been a disaster but it's very rare that it ever behaves. I needed something new and tried the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal Shampoo but it made my hair incredibly tough and greasy. I went out and got the Dove Dermacare Scalp Reviv Shampoo after seeing Teresa's post and have fallen in love. I thought I had used it once before and didn't like it but I'm not sure because it is really hydrating my scalp and keeping it itch-free. I also like to the use Briogeo Scalp Massager to give more of a deep clean and get the gunk out of my scalp.

Aside from products, there are a few other things you can do, like make sure you're drinking enough water, avoid hot showers (which is super hard for me because I like to boil) and use a humidifier in your room.

What are your favorite ways to treat dry skin?
xoxo
B