As winter sets in Beijing, many of us experience dry skin. The combination of the city’s chilly, dry air and indoor heating results in this recurring problem each year. To help you win the battle against dry skin this winter, we’ve put together some helpful tips and product suggestions to alleviate your skin concerns!
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
While it may appear obvious, having a consistent daily moisturizing regimen is crucial, using a variety of products to target different areas of your skin. Here are some of our top product recommendations to address dry skin.
Body Moisturizer
In the winter, it’s essential to apply a general body moisturizer frequently, especially after showering. Look for a moisturizer that contains nourishing ingredients like urea, shea butter, and natural oils such as avocado oil. NIVEA offers a fantastic selection of affordable moisturizers, making daily or more frequent application budget-friendly!
Our recommendation: NIVEA Intensive Moisture
Price: RMB 47.9/440ml
Product notes: Provides moisture for 48 hours, includes vitamin E, grape seed oil, and avocado oil
Where to buy: Taobao, Watsons
Face Moisturizer
Facial skin differs from body skin; it’s thinner and more delicate. Therefore, it’s best to choose a moisturizer specifically designed for the face.
Our recommendation: innisfree Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum
Price: RMB 129/50ml
Product notes: Contains hyaluronic acid and green tea seed oil
Where to buy: Taobao, at an Innisfree store
Hand Cream
Hands often suffer significantly during the dry winter months, making it wise to carry a tube of hand cream to prevent dryness.
Our recommendation: L'Occitane Powdered Shea Light Hand Cream
Price: RMB 95/30ml
Product notes: Contains shea butter and olive oil
Where to buy: Taobao, at a L'Occitane store
Lip Salve
Our lips also take a hit from Beijing's winter conditions, so it's advisable to have your preferred lip salve on hand. In our view, nothing works better than Vaseline. It has a long-standing reputation for treating chapped lips worldwide, plus the small Vaseline lip salve tubs are adorable.
Our recommendation: Vaseline Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter
Price: RMB 13.5/7g
Product notes: Contains cocoa butter and Vaseline® Jelly
Where to buy: Taobao, Watsons
Moisturizing Shower Gel
Using a moisturizing shower gel is a great way to enhance your skin’s hydration. There are many options, but Dove is readily available at most large supermarkets and is reasonably priced.
Our recommendation: Dove Deeply Nourishing Body Wash
Price: RMB 95.9/730g
Product notes: Provides moisture for 24 hours, sulfate-SLES-free
Where to buy: Taobao, Watsons, most large Chinese supermarkets
Face Masks
For additional hydration and a bit of pampering for your dry skin, consider using hydrating or moisturizing face masks.
Our recommendation: innisfree Vitamin C Moisturizing Essence Mask
Price: RMB 79/box of 5 masks
Product notes: Contains vitamin C
Where to buy: Taobao, at an Innisfree store
Buy a Humidifier
It’s not just the outdoor air that’s dry in Beijing during winter; indoor heating can also deplete moisture from the air. A simple solution is to invest in a humidifier. You can find various affordable options on Taobao by searching for 空气加湿器 (kōngqì jiāshīqì), including smart models compatible with home apps from brands like Xiaomi and Huawei. Mini humidifiers are also available, perfect for your office desk.
Stay Hydrated Internally
While it’s vital to hydrate your skin externally, don’t forget to keep your body hydrated from the inside. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and eat high-water-content foods like cucumbers or watermelon. Drinking green tea can further help moisturize the skin due to its natural vitamin E content.
Take Shorter Showers With Warm (Not Hot) Water
While long, hot showers may sound appealing for dry skin relief, they can actually do more harm than good. Hot water can strip away beneficial oils and draw moisture out of your skin. Instead, it’s better for those with dry skin to use warm water and keep shower durations relatively short.
READ: Winter Warmers: More Cozy Drinks for the Season
Images: Freepik, Unsplash, Canva, Taobao
Winter in Beijing is in full swing, bringing with it the struggle against dry skin.
