Winter Skincare Remedies for Dry Skin Relief

When Your Skin Starts Acting Like Sandpaper

Winter hits and suddenly my skin forgets it’s supposed to stay attached to me. My hands crack, my cheeks feel tight, and no amount of water seems to help.

If you’ve ever slathered on lotion only to feel drier an hour later, you’re not alone. Most store-bought products sit on top of the skin instead of working with it. That’s why I turn to simple, homemade remedies—creams, balms, and oils that actually nourish and repair from the inside out.

These are my three go-to winter skincare recipes I make on repeat every year. They’re easy, deeply effective, and smell like calm in a jar.

Recipe 1: Whipped Winter Cream (For Hands & Body)

This cream is rich, protective, and melts beautifully into the skin—perfect after doing dishes or coming in from the cold.

Ingredients (makes ~120 g / 4 oz jar):

• 40 g (¼ cup) shea butter

• 20 g (2 Tbsp) cocoa butter

• 20 g (2 Tbsp) jojoba oil or calendula-infused oil

• 15 g (1 Tbsp) beef tallow (optional but deeply nourishing)

• 5 g (1 tsp) beeswax

• 5–6 drops lavender or frankincense essential oil (adults only; skip for kids)

Instructions:

1. Melt butters, oil, tallow, and beeswax in a double boiler.

2. Cool until just cloudy, then whip with a hand mixer.

3. Add essential oils if using.

4. Spoon into a clean jar and label.

Recipe 2: Healing Skin Balm (For Cracks & Rough Spots)

This balm is thick, concentrated, and a total lifesaver for knuckles, elbows, and heels.

Ingredients (fills ~2 oz tin):

• 20 g (2 Tbsp) calendula-infused olive oil

• 10 g (1 Tbsp) beeswax

• 5 g (1 tsp) cocoa butter

• 3 drops chamomile essential oil (optional, adults only)

Instructions:

1. Melt beeswax and cocoa butter together.

2. Stir in calendula oil and essential oils if using.

3. Pour into a tin and cool completely before capping.

💡 Gift Tip: Add a handwritten tag that says “for hardworking winter hands.” It’s simple and personal.

Recipe 3: Soothing Facial Oil (For Everyday Glow)

Fast-absorbing and light enough for daily use, this blend keeps winter skin soft without clogging pores.

Ingredients (fills 30 ml dropper bottle):

• 20 ml jojoba oil

• 10 ml rosehip seed oil

• 2 drops lavender essential oil (optional, adults only)

To Use: Shake gently and apply a few drops to damp skin after cleansing.

💡 If you’re a makeup-wearer, this doubles beautifully as a dewy base under foundation.

Why These Ingredients Work

Shea & Cocoa Butter: Both are deeply moisturizing and for protective barriers. Best in creams and balms.

Tallow: Packed with vitamins A, D, E & K and mimics skin’s natural oils. Works best in creams.

Calendula: Speeds healing, and helps reduce redness. Works best in balms & oils.

Rosehip Oil: Restores glow and reduces fine lines. Best used in facial oils.

Beeswax: Locks in hydration and protects against wind. Great ingredient for balms.

Lavender & Chamomile: Calming for both skin and spirit. Can be used in any blend

Together, these ingredients restore balance—nourishing without greasiness and sealing in hydration so your skin finally stops feeling like parchment.

My Winter Skincare Toolkit

(Affiliate links — thank you for supporting The Hearth Witch’s Nook!)

• Organic Shea Butter & Cocoa Butter (unrefined)

• Beeswax Pellets

• Jojoba & Rosehip Oils

• Glass Jars & Lip Balm Containers for Gifting

🧡 Stock up before January—these sell out fast once dry-skin season peaks.

Ready for More Winter Skincare?

If you want a full guide to keep your skin happy from December through March, I made the Winter Skin Rescue Guide—a downloadable collection of my best winter remedies.

Inside you’ll find:

• 10 DIY skincare recipes (creams, balms, oils, scrubs, and masks)

• Adult + kid-friendly variations clearly labeled

• Ingredient swap options (vegan, kid-friendly, fragrance-free)

• Packaging suggestions for gifts

Final Thought

Winter skin doesn’t have to mean cracked hands and chapped cheeks. With a few jars of the right ingredients, you can make your own skin-saving ritual—simple, cozy, and deeply nourishing.

So whip, melt, and pour yourself a little calm this season.
Your skin deserves to feel as soft and cared for as your favorite sweater.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All content is for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose or treat any condition.