4 DIY Remedies That Treat Common Winter Skin Problems

How to make homemade lip balm, moisturizer, and more

The season of gentle snowfall can be rough on your skin. These five homemade remedies ease the skin redness and dryness that come with winter.

1. Shea butter body lotion

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

Infused with shea butter and almond oil, this body lotion is hydrating to the max. Use it frequently throughout the day to prevent your skin from becoming too dry. You will need a double boiler. (Make one by resting a stainless steel or glass bowl in a saucepan of water.)

Ingredients

1/2 cup shea butter
1/2 tablespoons almond oil
10 drops lavender oil

Directions

Melt the shea butter
Blend shea butter with the almond
Place the bowl in a fridge to cool for 15 minutes
Allow mixture to solidify and become translucent (You don’t want it to fully harden; you’ll have to start over again if it does)
Remove the bowl from the fridge
Add the lavender oil
Mix with a hand mixer until the mixture is creamy
Transfer to a jar

2. Facial moisturizer

Prep time: 20 minutes

Total time: 110 minutes

Harsh winter weather can easily dry out your face, which can lead to fine lines and wrinkles. This all-natural facial moisturizer prevents that, though; it’s infused with soothing aloe vera gel and rich coconut oil. You will need a candy melter.

Ingredients

1 cup aloe vera gel
1 ounce beeswax
1/4 cup almond oil
1/4 cup coconut oil

Directions

Melt the beeswax and coconut oil in the almond oil
Pour melted oils in a blender
Let cool for 90 minutes or so
Blend oils as you slowly pour the aloe vera gel in the blender as it whips (mixture should be light and fluffy)
Store in a small jar

Apply this moisturizer to your face in the morning and at night.

3. Hand cream

Prep time: 25 minutes

Total time: 3-4 hours

Exposed to harsh elements all year, hands take an extra beating in winter. Keep your hands silky soft with this all-natural DIY hand cream that’s infused with sweet almond oil. You will need a candy melter.

Ingredients

1/4 cup shea butter
1/8 cup sweet almond oil
1 tablespoon beeswax
10 drops essential oil of your choice

Directions

Melt the shea butter, beeswax, and sweet almond oil together in your candy melter, stirring the mixture continuously as it melts
Remove completely melted mixture from heat
Let cool 10 minutes
Stir in peppermint oil, lavender oil, or another essential oil of your choice
Pour liquid hand cream in a small glass jar
Allow mixture to harden for several hours

Apply this cream to your hands as often as needed.

4. Moisturizing lip balm

Prep time: 20 minutes

Total time: 2 hours

Your lips quickly become cracked and dry when exposed to winter weather. This all-natural ultra-emollient lip balm will keep your lips soft and supple. You will need a heat-resistant glass measuring cup.

Ingredients

4 grams beeswax
5 grams shea butter
3 grams cocoa butter
4 grams olive oil
4 grams avocado oil
Vitamin E oil
Peppermint oil

Directions

Weigh all the ingredients except the vitamin E oil and peppermint oil in a heat-resistant glass measuring cup
Place cup in simmering water to melt oils
Stir in essential oil and vitamin E
Pour melted lip balm into four or five lip balm tubes
Let tubes cool

5. Nourishing foot scrub

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 15 minutes

Winter weather can be especially harsh on your feet, leading to rough and dry skin. With its blend of invigorating peppermint and exfoliating sugar, this homemade foot scrub is perfect for revitalizing your feet. You will need a mixing bowl and a jar for storage.

Ingredients

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup olive oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil
2 tablespoons honey

Directions

Mix the sugar, coconut oil, and olive oil in a bowl until well combined
Add the peppermint essential oil and honey to the mixture, stirring until smooth
Transfer the scrub to a jar with a tight-fitting lid
To use, gently massage a small amount of the scrub onto your feet in a circular motion, then rinse off with warm water
This foot scrub not only exfoliates but also moisturizes, leaving your feet feeling soft and refreshed
Apply it once or twice a week for best results

Your winter jam

Winter is here, and that means your skin is probably drier than usual. Luckily, it’s easy to use DIY remedies to combat redness and dryness. Try out one of the above recipes for soft, supple skin!

References

“7 DIY Face Masks and Scrubs That Actually Work,” Rodale’s Organic Life, March 31, 2017.
“7 DIY Skin-Care Recipes Facialists Use on Themselves,” Prevention, March 23, 2015.
“10 At-Home Skincare Recipes,” Good Housekeeping, June 3, 2013.
“Natural Skin Care Options & Recipes,” Wellness Mama, September 5, 2017.