11 ways to soothe even the driest winter skin for under $10

In 2022, Regimen Lab, a peer-reviewed skin-care brand, shared a video comparing Nivea Creme with the ultra-pricey luxury brand La Mer and found that the two products use the exact same base ingredients. The biggest difference? La Mer costs hundreds of dollars, and Nivea is just $9.99. This is perhaps my greatest skin-care secret! It's the ideal everyday face moisturizer for winter, and it makes an excellent night cream too. 

Though you can find loads of pricier "lip sleeping masks" that will set you back 30 bones, this dermatologist-recommended lip repair balm will quickly resolve all your winter-pucker woes for a mere $5. It's clinically proven to rapidly relieve dryness and soothe even the most chapped, cracked lips. Bonus: It's also a sunscreen that protects lips with broad-spectrum SPF 30.  

This natural colloidal oatmeal bath soak is a game-changer when it comes to treating excessively dry skin. It's fragrance-free, comes in individually packaged packets for easy use and is formulated to soothe not only parched skin but irritation caused by eczema, sunburn, poison ivy/oak/sumac, chicken pox and even regular old hives. It's a high-quality skin-care staple for winter — and a good product to have in your arsenal all year 'round. 

Dry winter hands are often accompanied by dry, peeling cuticles, which not only look gross but are extremely, irritatingly painful. If you find yourself in this hand hell, Cuccio's milk and honey cuticle moisturizer is a must-have. You simply rub a single drop into each cuticle before bed, and wake up with softer cuticles that are miraculously healed overnight. Best of all is the incredible scent — it smells like a luxurious Balinese spa. 

This dermatologist-favorite moisturizer is a great option if you have sensitive skin. It's free of dyes, fragrances, lanolin, parabens and more, reducing the potential for irritation. It's also versatile, as you can use it on both your face and body, and it won't clog your pores. Best of all, it's seriously hydrating — among the best products I've found to instantly quench extra-dry skin.

If the mark of a good lip product is leaving your mouth pillowy soft AND tasting so good you could eat it, this Handmade Heroes scrub should win all the awards. I used this after a day in the whipping wind followed by a night in the dry heat, and I could not believe how quickly its hydrating, smoothing effect took hold. The coconut-flavored scrub is all-natural, vegan, delicious and effective. The cherry on top? It's ultra-affordable.

If you're not keen on coconut or need extra lip support, there's a more flavor-neutral matcha and avocado oil version and one made with nourishing bakuchiol too. 

Outside of moisturizing, gently sloughing off flakes and removing dead cells is one of the best things you can do for dry skin. These exfoliating gloves — an upgrade from your moldy '90s loofah — work for all skin types to promote healthy skin and increased blood circulation. For best results, use them with a moisturizing body wash like this one from CeraVe. Or, for a more luxe option, I am obsessed with this incredible, sexily-scented Salt & Stone wash. 

O'Keeffe's formula is legendary for its heavy-duty hydration of even the driest feet. The texture is thick — more balm-like than a standard lotion. It's also unscented and nongreasy, a boon for this area of the body (I despise the sensation of greasy soles). This cream is particularly good for stubborn cracked heels. It's also hypoallergenic and safe for diabetics and those with sensitive skin. 

Hair needs extra hydration in winter too, and this TikTok-famous repairing treatment can render even the driest, most straw-like hair into silky strands. You work it into your hair after shampooing and, after 5-15 minutes, the before-and-after is seriously profound. After using this, my thin, dry, longtime dyed-blonde mane was bouncy, soft and smooth as a satin sheet. Best of all, it didn't feel weighed down. Though it does make your hair slightly greasier than normal, the conditioning impact is worth it — my results lasted for weeks. 

Albolene's no-frills moisturizing cleanser is one of those in-the-know beauty secrets, a product you'd never think to buy for yourself until a friend says, "YOU MUST GET THIS. IT'S CHANGED MY LIFE." Well, I am that friend, telling you that this lush, velvety, mild cream is about to transform your winter nighttime skin-care routine and make your face a whole lot softer and happier in the process. 

The gentle, century-old cleansing product removes makeup effortlessly, without water (though you can choose to take it off by using a damp washcloth or cotton pad). It's particularly effective for older women concerned with damaging delicate under-eye areas and causing fine lines by scrubbing away mascara and eyeliner. It's also fragrance-free and safe for all skin types. Trust me, if you buy it now, it will become a staple on your bathroom shelves and — if you're a good friend — those of every woman you know.    

Retinol is a must for preventing and treating issues like wrinkles, but it can be a bit harsh on dry winter faces. But this gentle, beginner's retinol cream contains both retinol and bakuchiol. While both ingredients help increase collagen production, bakuchiol has fewer side effects and tends to be less irritating. Bakuchiol and retinol work well together — really well. In fact, research shows that bakuchiol can enhance the effectiveness of retinol while helping stabilize it. 

At a .1% retinol concentration, and with the addition of high-quality skin-nourishing ingredients like grape seed oil, this affordable cream is an ideal skin-firming agent for the cold-weather months.