Winter Skin Revival: Simple At-Home Tips for Healthy, Glowing Skin

Are you finding yourself in mid-winter doldrums? Longing for a beach, a cabana that serves fruity beverages, an ocean breeze blowing your hair, and a bathing suit covered by a thin layer of linen? Or, maybe you would just settle for a slight increase in humidity to mitigate the dry, itchy, flakey-skin that comes with high-altitude living, especially in winter? Mud season, 'er I mean Spring, will be here before we know it, so rather than wishing our powder-filled dreams away, here are some do-it-at-home, practical tips to keep your skin healthy and glowing underneath all those layers.

DRY BRUSHING

This is a wonderful way to improve circulation, gently exfoliate, and even promote lymphatic drainage.

Choose a dry brush made with natural materials. Bamboo with natural boar bristles is a nice combination.

First thing in the morning, before your shower, spend about 5 minutes dry brushing. Start at your feet and work up to your hip level. Divide your belly in half. From the midline, brush down towards your groin followed by up towards your underarm. Brush from your fingertips in towards your underarms. Utilize a long-handled dry brush to get your back, and trust me, don't skip this last step.

CLEANSING

Soaps are great for ridding your body of mountain bike grease, dirt, mud, and sweat – however, they can be harsh, stripping your skin of its natural oils. After a nice exfoliating dry brush keep your cleansing gentle. Only utilize soap where you need it most, like groin, underarms, and feet. The bulk of your body most often won't need deep cleansing, so keep it light and even opt for an in-shower moisturizing step like a body polish or an oil.

MOISTURIZING

Morning moisturizing probably means clothes are imminent, and hence, a nice creamy moisturizer will absorb the fastest and allow for dressing quickly and easily. Mixing an oil and a cream moisturizer is a good way to get a little extra glow without the grease. Evening moisturizers can get a bit more luxurious. A body butter or a body oil self-massage is a great way to continue promoting circulation, lymphatic drainage, human touch, and a lot of self-love right before you go to bed.

KEEP IT CLEAN

Toxic ingredients are not only, well, toxic, but can also dry out skin and disrupt your natural microbiome. Find products with limited ingredients that you can read and understand. At Free Living Co., we have many options in the soaking, dry brushing, cleansing, and moisturizing categories — everything we carry has been verified to only contain ingredients safe for repeated human use.

HYDRATE

As a final word of encouragement, moisturizing from the inside out is a great way to keep your skin healthy, blemish-free, and glowing. Before you pour your coffee, squeeze 1/2 to 1 lemon in a glass and drink every last drop. Carry a refillable water bottle with you everywhere you go.

Live free,

Dana

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does skin get so dry in winter, especially at high altitude?

Cold air, indoor heating, and low humidity strip the skin's natural oils and moisture barrier. At high altitudes, lower humidity and increased UV exposure compound these effects, making consistent moisturizing and barrier support even more critical.

What is dry brushing and how does it help skin in winter?

Dry brushing involves brushing dry skin before showering with a natural-bristle brush to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, improve circulation, and promote lymphatic drainage. It is especially beneficial in winter when skin becomes dull and flaky.

Should I use soap all over my body in winter?

No — harsh soaps strip the skin's natural oils, worsening winter dryness. Soap is best used only where needed (underarms, groin) while the rest of the body is cleansed gently with water alone or a mild, oil-based cleanser.

What kind of moisturizer works best for dry winter skin?

Look for oil-based or butter-based moisturizers rather than water-based lotions, which evaporate quickly. Ingredients like avocado oil, tallow, jojoba, and shea butter create a lasting moisture barrier that resists the drying effects of winter air.

Is it safe to use a body oil instead of lotion in winter?

Yes — body oils are often superior to lotions in winter because they seal moisture into the skin without water fillers that evaporate. Apply oils while skin is still slightly damp after bathing to lock in hydration.