Moisturizing Oils for the Dead of Winter

February is the time to slather on massive amounts of moisturizer to keep your skin from flaking off at a rapid rate or becoming so red and irritated you just give up on it altogether and wait it out until spring. We are in the homestretch for winter skin and there are a couple of options you may think about employing if things are getting serious. Whether you want to keep your skin hydrated and healthy or you need some serious relief and fast, two products on the market might be the answer to your issues: Squalane and Ceramides.

These products have slightly different qualities and you will want to choose one over the other, but they are forces to be reckoned with when it comes to painfully dry skin.

The company Biossance produces a squalane oil that works for even the most sensitive skin. Squalane is based on a compound called squalene naturally produced by our skin. We retain less and less of this compound in our skin’s moisture barrier over time. This oil is light, plant-derived and can be used on skin and hair.

Ceramides are a type of waxy fat that can help replenish the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Our skin’s production of ceramides decreases with age and standing up to harsh weather only makes things worse. Dr. Jart+ produces a whole range of products using ceramidin. Keep in mind that although squalane is lightweight, ceramides usually come in a heavy cream form.