Healthy & Hydrated: The Best Body Lotion for Dry Skin in Winter 2024

The skin is the body's largest organ and serves as a protective barrier between us and the outside world.

It plays a vital role in maintaining our overall health by regulating body temperature, protecting against external aggressors such as bacteria and viruses, and preventing dehydration.

When the skin lacks moisture, it becomes prone to damage. From irritation to flaking, in extreme cases, it can even lead to cracking and bleeding of the skin. It's like a crack in your body's shield.

Winter's harsh weather puts us at a higher risk of this. But because we're often fully covered in winter, we might overlook the importance of proper body skincare to prevent dryness, minimize damage, and keep skin soft and hydrated.

Here are our dermatologist-backed recommendations to nourish your skin through the season.

Velvety and non-greasy, Plumbody™ absorbs quickly into the skin for the immediate relief our skin craves in harsh winter conditions. But beyond quenching the skin, it offers incredible and clinically proven benefits from long-term use.

Those results are made possible by Plumbody™'s signature ingredient, Midnight Muir®. It's our rare and patented plum extract, which works as a superfood for the skin. 

Sustainably sourced from our family farm with over a century of history, Midnight Muir® delivers a powerhouse of vitamins:

Whether you're actively outdoors during the winter, or staying cozy indoors, several factors can contribute to dry skin during the cold months.

• Low humidity levels: Cold air holds less moisture, making it drier and less humid. This lack of moisture in the air results in dry skin.

• Hot showers: As tempting as it may be to take a hot shower on a cold day, it can actually strip your skin of its natural oils and make it more prone to dryness.

• Heaters: Indoor heaters are essential for keeping us warm, but they also suck out the moisture from the air, further dehydrating our skin.

• Less water intake: In colder months, people tend to drink less water as they don't feel as thirsty. This can lead to dehydration and dry skin.

• Winter clothing: Thick and heavy clothing may feel cozy, but they can also rub against the skin and cause irritation or absorb the skin's natural oils, making it dry.

These factors impact all skin types, making incorporating a body moisturizer into your routine important.

Neglecting to moisturize can lead to extremely dry skin and escalated flare-ups of skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

What do you want most out of your daily moisturizer?

Between lotions, oils, creams, and butters, it can be a challenge to choose who your winter body care companion will be.

We're all familiar with the skin type of our face, but it doesn't always match our body's skin type.

Whether you're looking to keep your skin hydrated or see improvements in texture and wrinkles, using a product that doesn't suit your skin type will prolong achieving your desired results.

• Non-comedogenic oils: Some of the most widely used oils can clog acne-prone and sensitive spin. Antioxidant-rich oils like Plum Beauty Oil provide 8x the nutrients of marula oil without the risk of clogged pores.

• Omega fatty acids: Collagen boosting to keep skin plump and firm, these are ingredients that mature and aging crave for improving skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

• Niacinamide: To combat dullness, redness, and hyperpigmentation, niacinamide gives you an even skin tone and a noticeable vibrant glow.

• Vitamin A: For people struggling with rough and bumpy skin or conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, a powerful Vitamin A boosts cell turnover to heal existing skin damage and keeps the skin’s surface soft and smooth.

Not all moisturizers are built with winter conditions in mind. Some ingredients do more harm than good. When searching for the best body lotions, these are the ingredients you'll want to avoid:

• Parabens: These synthetic preservatives may disrupt hormone function by mimicking estrogen, potentially leading to an increased risk of breast cancer.

• Phthalates: Often used to increase the flexibility of plastics in cosmetics, phthalates are endocrine disruptors that can impact reproductive health.

• Formaldehyde: This preservative is a known carcinogen and may trigger skin irritation and allergies.

• Synthetic fragrances: These can contain allergens, endocrine disruptors, and irritants, and their specific components are often not listed due to trade secret laws.

• Alcohols: Certain alcohols, like isopropyl alcohol, can be overly drying and irritating, stripping away skin's natural oils.

• Comedogenic ingredients: These include common favorites like coconut oil, cocoa butter, and even argan oil. While not all comedogenic ingredients are harmful, these ingredients can clog pores and lead to acne breakouts and blackheads.

Remember that your skin is your shield; it's best to opt for body lotions with non-toxic, nourishing ingredients that give you the benefits without adverse side effects.

Frequency: Apply Plumbody™ during your morning and evening routine, preferably after showering or bathing, to maximize the benefits this hydrating cream has to offer.

Seeking formulations suitable for your skin type, use a mild body wash that cleans without stripping the skin's natural oils and lipids.

Choose an appropriate exfoliator to slough away dead skin cells and improve skin texture. Perform this step 1-2 times a week, as over-exfoliation can damage your skin barrier.

After showering, pat your skin dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing, which can irritate.

While your skin is still slightly damp, apply Plumbody™, massaging into the skin with small circles. Take gentle care to apply the cream to your neck and decolletage to get the most of the Plumbody™'s restorative benefits, and apply generously to potential problem areas, such as dry hands or feet, as they are especially prone to cracking in the cold, dry weather.

Yes, everyone says it, but drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain internal hydration. This boosts your skincare routine that you can do anytime, anywhere, and it will be reflected in your skin's health.

With the right care, your skin can remain supple and radiant throughout winter and beyond.

In this before and after photo, we can see a reduction in red spots, an evening of skin tone, a smoothed appearance of skin texture, and a drastic reduction of fine lines along the neck after 12 weeks of use.

That means 12 weeks of caring for your skin throughout the winter will have you radiant for the spring sunshine and excited to show off your healthy, revitalized skin.

Hydrating with a quality body lotion is an essential part of any body care routine. Leaving skin feeling silky smooth, our Plumbody™ Hydrating Antioxidant Body Crème is a go-to daily moisturizer for long-lasting hydration and a plump, radiant glow.

• Selecting a quality, non-toxic moisturizer that incorporates beneficial ingredients without harmful ones to keep your skin hydrated, soft, and healthy.

• Applying body lotion immediately after showering locks in moisture and protects your skin from dryness.

• Paying attention to potential problem areas, like dry hands and feet, and giving yourself a mini massage to promote relaxation and blood circulation.

You can check out our Plumbody™ Hydrating Antioxidant Body Crème here.