Heavy Duty Body Hydration (Winter Wonderland Beauty)

Most of us have felt the effects of the arctic storms this past week, including the effect that it has had on our skin. Here are a few of the lotions, creams, and butters that have kept my family's skin soft, smooth, and hydrated {not to mention smelling fabulous}. {Products sent for review consideration}

Curél Itch Defense ($7.99 drugstores) - This lotion’s safe and effective formula is ideal for eczema-prone skin—an unfortunate issue that tends to flare up during extreme temps. Fragrance-free, dermatologist-recommended and safe for the entire family (children 6 months and up), Itch Defense Lotion instantly relieves dry itchy skin and helps rebalance skin to prevent irritation from coming back—meaning you and your entire family can survive the winter comfortably, without lingering dry, itchy skin.

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Moisture Extreme Body Buttercream ($20, sephora.com) - With a bright scent that's a mix of zesty, fresh squeezed lime,  refreshing kiwi juice water, and smashed brown sugar - the smell alone can pull anyone out of the winter time blues! But this rich, luscious body butter does wonders for winter parched skin as well, with a skin pampering mix of shea and cocoa butter, almond and coconut oil.

Laura Mercier Crème Brûlée Body Butter ($35, lauramercier.com) - Indulge in sweets without the calories with this delectable concoction. Inspired by the aromas of French Patisseries, Laura Mercier created this seductive, warm and comforting blend of gourmande ingredients, including succulent notes of warm caramel, spun sugar and French vanilla bean for a sensual and enchanting experience. This is one of my favorite creams to slather on after I shower; it soaks in like a dream and leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth, with a healthy glowing sheen. Plus, it literally smells good enough to eat!

Lavanila Laboratories’ The Healthy Body Butter ($19, sephora.com) - This velvety smooth body butter absorbs instantly for deeply hydrated, luxuriously soft skin. 100% pure Shea & Cocoa Butters blend with powerful antioxidants and essential oils for long-lasting hydration. With its calming, soothing scent of vanilla and lavender and non-greasy formula, this is the cream that I reach for to give my skin some TLC before bedtime {and it's also great for my girls after their night time bath}. 

CeraVe's Renewing SA Cream ($22.99 at drugstores nationwide) is just what you need to keep dry skin at bay. It exfoliates, softens, and smooths even the driest {and trust me, my skin can be categorized as the driest even when it's not winter} skin. By utilizing salicylic acid {the SA in Renewing SA Cream} and ammonium lactate this rich cream works to repair skin, while loosening and sloughing off dead skin cells. This allows its moisturizing ingredients {ceramides and hyaluronic acid} to penetrate deeper layers of the skin for better effectiveness than your average moisturizer. The result is consistently soft, touchably smooth skin! What I love most about this cream, is that even though it is absolutely power packed with an impressive list of active ingredients, it is gentle enough to use all over your body, even after shaving. Yet, it does an awesome job handling rough dry feet, knees, and elbows. Plus it's fragrance free so it won't compete with whatever perfume you choose {or don't choose}. It's one of my favorite discoveries yet!

What's your favorite moisturizer to keep winter ravaged skin at bay? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think! Until next time...