8 Best Soaps For Dry Winter Skin

Figuring out what kind of soap to use on dry winter skin can feel impossible at times. Is your current product not cutting it in colder, dryer climates, and you're ready to switch? Well, we've done some digging and have some great options to share.

Regardless of the brand you choose, your soap has to include moisturizer if it's going to tackle your dry winter skin. Here are a few good products:

Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar
Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
Method Bar Soap Simply Nourish
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Body Wash
The Seaweed Bath Co Citrus Vanilla Body Wash
Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash
Drunk Elephant Kamili Cream Body Cleanser
Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash with Shea Butter

As we begin, we will cover all things dry skin and direct you to some helpful related products. Whether you are prone to winter dryness or think it's time for a change, we're here to help. With that said, let's get right into this post!

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What Kind Of Soap Works Best On Dry Winter Skin?

Generally, you want to use a soap that is rich in vitamins and other hydrating oils/ingredients during the wintertime.

A few popular ones include shea butter, coconut oil, Jojoba oil, vitamins E and A, glycerin, and ceramides, although the list goes on.

Soap specifically formulated for skin sensitivity/eczema will also work wonders for winter dryness, so we recommend checking out those options as well.

1. Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar

This soap is dermatologist recommended, formulated for dry, sensitive skin, has Argon oil, is hyper-allergenic, and comes in a pack of two.

Click here to see more on Amazon.

2. Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar

This gentle cleansing bar works on all skin types, won't clog pores, has glycerin, is hyper-allergenic, and comes in a three-pack.

Click here to see more on Amazon.

3. Method Bar Soap Simply Nourish

This soap has coconut, rice milk, and shea butter, is biodegradable, paraben and cruelty-free, and comes in a four-pack.

Click here to see more on Amazon.

4. SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Body Wash

This body wash is certified organic, enriched with vitamin A, shea butter, coconut oil, and fatty acids to hydrate skin, has a unisex scent, and comes in a 13-ounce bottle.

Click here to see more on Amazon.

5. The Seaweed Bath Co Citrus Vanilla Body Wash

This hydrating body wash has a citrus vanilla scent, is infused with seaweed, has 65+ vitamins/minerals, coconut oil, is vegan, paraben-free, and comes in a 12-ounce bottle.

Check here to see more on Amazon.

6. Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash

This calming body soap is fragrance-free, relieves dry, itchy skin, has omega oils, natural lipids, is dermatologist-recommended, and comes in a 16.9-ounce bottle.

Click here to see more on Amazon.

7. Drunk Elephant Kamili Cream Body Cleanser

This sulfate-free body soap has a cream formula, almond scent, nourishes dry skin, uses non-fragrant plant oils, and comes in an eight-ounce bottle.

Click here to see more on Amazon.

8. Olay Ultra Moisture Body Wash with Shea Butter

This hydrating body wash has shea butter, glycerin, is formulated for dry skin, and comes in a two-pack.

Click here to see more on Amazon.

Why Is My Skin So Dry During Winter?

Your skin tends to be dryer during the winter because of cold, dry temperatures. Unlike other seasons, winter comes with cooler, dryer air that can wreak havoc on your skin.

The water in our skin evaporates faster during colder weather, which can lead to itching and irritation. Your skin might also feel tighter when it's colder outside and start to develop a flakey or ashy appearance.

What Helps With Dry Skin In The Winter?

Although you might not be able to avoid dry winter skin altogether, there are ways to help manage it. A few good habits to develop to keep your skin nourished through the wintertime include:

Moisturizing directly after showering/bathing
Wearing sunscreen daily
Applying lotion or serum before bed
Using a humidifier
Less frequent exfoliating
Avoiding steamy showers/saunas

These are just some ways to combat winter dryness, but in general, it's better to moisturize as much as you can and stay away from super hot water.

Does Dove Still Make Winter Care?

For those wanting to try Dove's Winter Care soap, yes, they do still make it.

Although most of Dove's products are great for combatting dry skin, their Winter Care bar and body wash are specially formulated for colder, dryer weather.

Of course, we don't think it will be much better than their sensitive skin beauty bar, but it is still a great product to try for the winter season.

Dove Winter Care Body Wash

This body wash deeply nourishes skin, is dermatologist recommended, and comes in a 22-ounce bottle.

Click here to see more on Amazon.

Dove Bar Soap Winter Care

This bar soap improves dry skin, is 1/4 moisturizing cream, and comes in a pack of eight.

Click here to see more on Amazon.

Does Dove Soap Dry Your Skin?

Dove soap won't usually dry out your skin, but that's not to say it can't happen.

Regardless of brand, bar soap can sometimes be drying for certain people, so if you notice your skin starting to itch, you might want to switch to a liquid option.

Dove's head dermatologist claims that the harsh surfactants commonly used in soaps can lead to dryer, irritated skin and recommends only using gentle, sodium lauryl sulfate-free products.

Dove's Beauty Bar is what she suggests and is also one of the options we think works well for wintertime dryness.

Is Body Wash Better Than Bar Soap?

Generally, body wash will be better for your skin than typical bar soap.

Between the two, body wash also tends to have more moisturizing ingredients compared to bar options, which makes it the better choice for dryer winter weather.

Of course, that's not to say you can't use bar soap in the shower, but it's usually best to stick with a liquid option if you have dry/sensitive skin.

Does Body Wash Clean Better Than Bar Soap?

Although body wash might be more nourishing, it won't clean you any better than bar soap.

Bar soap is just as effective as a body wash for cleaning dirt, oil, and bacteria from your skin, so in that way, they are equal.

With that said, if you're worried about your soap not fully cleaning your body, try to find an antibacterial option to use in the shower.

Dove Care & Protect Body Wash

This body wash is antibacterial, works for all skin types, has nourishing ingredients, and comes in a 22-ounce bottle.

Click here to see more on Amazon.

What Can I Use Instead Of Soap For Dry Skin?

There are plenty of good alternatives when it comes to products you can use instead of soap for dry skin.

First, we recommend finding a hydrating lotion to use each time you shower/bathe and whenever your skin feels dry.

Oils are also great for locking in moisture, so using a serum during the winter or whenever your skin has a flare-up is a good idea.

Body butter and in-shower moisturizers also work well for keeping skin nourished and can go on while you're still wet, so those are worth checking out.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

This daily moisturizing lotion has a soothing oatmeal formula, is fragrance-free, clinically tested, non-greasy, and comes in an 18-ounce bottle.

Click here to see more on Amazon.

Josie Maran Intensive Hydrating Body Renewal Serum

This hydrating body serum has enzymes, lactic acid, and argan oil, revitalizes skin, is anti-aging, and free from synthetic fragrances.

Click here to see more on Amazon.

Do I Have To Put On Lotion After The Shower?

Although it isn't required, you should try to use a moisturizer on your skin after you shower. Whenever your skin gets washed, it loses its natural oils, which can cause it to become dry and irritated.

Especially if it's cold out, using lotion after the shower will keep your skin soft and flake-free and help with seasonal dryness.

Even if you don't like the consistency of lotion, using an in-shower moisturizer will still protect you from winter dryness without feeling super heavy on your skin.