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Last winter was my first “real” winter after 20+ years of living in the South. Not only was I experiencing brutal cold temperatures and snow for the first time in many years, but I live in Buffalo — a place known for its devastating winters!
But surviving winter is about more than knowing how to bundle up. One of the biggest surprises to me was how DRY my skin was.
I don’t want to gross anyone out, but it was bad. In fact, I didn’t even know my skin could be this dry. The issue was especially bad on my feet and heels.
But it turns out, I’m not alone. Our feet get dry during the colder months because cold air has less moisture, our feet don’t have oil glands, and our heels take a lot of abuse.
Plus, hot water and harsh soaps can strip our skin even more.
So, during the first cold snap this year, my feet got dry immediately. I’m not kidding! I couldn’t believe how quickly it happened, but it was a great reminder of what happened last year.
I decided right then and there: I’m NOT letting my feet get like they were last year.
My solution? Be proactive about it.
I immediately dug out my stash of body butters, oils, lotions, balms- you name it. Since then, I’ve scrubbed my feet in the shower (with either a soapy brush or a foot stone), then followed it with GLOPPING on lotion and putting on thick socks.
I wish I felt confident enough to put a photo of my feet on here for you guys, but seriously, it looks like I stepped in an iced cake! Then I put the socks on. I have done this every single night for the last month… and my feet are HYDRATED and soft!
I’ll admit, I looked for specific products for this. I considered buying foot masks or special socks to sleep in every night.
But sometimes I get tired of buying stuff, especially when I can make do with what I have. There’s nothing wrong with just using the lotion you have and putting on socks you’ve had for years. Not everything has to be cute or aesthetically pleasing.
I’ve used several different lotions so far, and I’ll share some favorites.
So far, the Trader Joe’s Body Butter is really nice for the feet! I’ve been using the Cacay Oil one. It’s too thick for me to use all over; I find I can’t ever get it rubbed in, which makes it great for my feet!
The Lano Feet lotion smells great, and I use the Mary Kay Mint Bliss on my legs and feet if they’re sore from walking a lot. I also have a magnesium balm that’s good for nights when I need deep sleep.
For my body, my favorite oil so far is the Palmer’s! I also really liked the way the Josie Maran Vetiver & Vanilla Orchid smelled! It says it’s a body butter, but it feels more like a lotion.
Cotton socks are best for this kind of routine, but I use whatever is clean. My favorite socks to sleep in are the Skims Slouch or the Aerie Slouch socks.
My little foot routine is part of a bigger nightly routine I’ve been leaning into.
I put my robe and towel in my towel warmer (my full review is here), take a warm shower, and then, while I do my foot routine and skincare, I put my pajamas in the warmer. By the time I’ve put on my toasty pajamas, I’m cozy and ready for bed.
Now that the time has changed, I’ve been letting myself get into bed earlier, even if I’m not necessarily ready to fall asleep. I either watch TV or read, and it’s just been such a nice way to wind down at the end of the day.
Do you have a specific routine you turn to as the seasons change? I’d love to hear about it!
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