Dry Skin in Winter: These Highland Soap Products Help

Dry, tight skin in winter is caused by a combination of cold outdoor air, dry indoor heating air, and warm shower water that strips your skin of its natural protective layer of oil. Natural soap and care with glycerin, such as that from The Highland Soap Company, helps retain moisture instead of washing it away, keeping your skin soft even in the cold.

Why your skin feels drier in winter

In winter, your skin takes a beating from two sides. Outside, cold and wind cause your skin to produce less of its own sebum, weakening the protective barrier. Indoors, heating dries out the air, stripping moisture from your skin. Add to that long, warm showers—lovely when it’s cold, but they also wash away your skin’s natural oils—and it’s no wonder that hands, elbows, and lips feel tight and flaky more quickly during these months.

Why natural soap with glycerin helps

Much soap from the drugstore is made to lather and provide fragrance, not to retain moisture. During the production process, glycerin, a substance that naturally attracts and retains moisture, is often actually removed for use in other products. Highland Soap Company makes its soap using the traditional cold-process procedure with a four-week maturation period, during which the glycerin remains in the soap. The result is soap that cleanses without further drying out your skin — exactly what you need in the winter. You can read more about this difference in our blog. Why natural soap is better for your skin.

Soap and shower gel for the cold months

For winter, you prefer to choose a fragrance profile that feels just as warm as it is. The Organic Glycerine Whiskey Soap & Honey is a beautiful example of that: warm and sweet in scent, and nourishing for the skin thanks to the glycerin. If you prefer a spicy, soft scent, then the Wild Nettle line is for you. & Heather (nettle and heather) is a good match for the winter months.

Extra protection: hand- & body cream and lotion

Hands have the hardest time in winter: outside in the cold, constantly washed inside. A rich Hand- & Body cream contains more oil than a lotion and therefore absorbs slightly more slowly, but offers longer-lasting protection against drying out — ideal for the evening or for really dry areas. For daytime, when you want a lighter, faster-absorbing finish, the Hand- & Body lotion is a pleasant alternative that still provides your skin with sufficient moisture.

Don't forget your lips

Chapped lips are one of the most common complaints in winter, and they are easily overlooked in a skincare routine. Organic Lip Balm keeping it in your coat pocket or on your nightstand prevents your lips from becoming dry and sore during the cold days.

A simple winter routine

• Wash with a glycerin-rich soap or shower gel instead of a strongly degreasing variant.
• Preferably shower lukewarm rather than hot, and keep it short.
• Apply to hands and body immediately after showering, while the skin is still absorbing moisture well.
• Use a lip balm daily, even if your lips aren't chapped yet.

Curious about the full range? View all Highland Soap Company products and find the scent and care that suits your winter.