Fun fact: The optimal internal body temperature is a toasty warm 37 degrees Celsius. “Everything about skin health is optimized to that temperature,” says Olay principal scientist Frauke Neuser, PhD. “If it gets very cold, that can be problematic. Some studies show that 12 degrees Celsius is the drop off point, below which skin really struggles to function as well as it should.”

By December, no matter what Canadian province or territory you live in, a 12 degree-day sounds practically balmy. Spending time inside isn’t ideal, either: indoor heating can bring humidity levels down to a Sahara Desert-like sub-20 percent. What to do? Turn on the humidifier and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Here are 12 products ELLE editors swear by to make it through the winter season. 

 

KIEHL’S CREME DE CORPS BODY BUTTER 

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter Body ($61), at kiehls.ca. 

“It smells incredible and keeps me from turning into a lizard during the dry winter months.” — Editor-in-Chief, Vanessa Craft 

 

 

FOR BELOVED ONE HYALURONIC ACID MASK 

For Beloved One Hyaluronic Acid GHK-Cu Moisturizing Bio-Cellulose Mask (3 masks for $63), at T&T Supermarket. 

“It’s the only thing that gets my face through winter!” — Managing Editor, Carli Whitwell 

 

 

PANTENE REPAIR & PROTECT SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER 

Pantene Repair & Protect Shampoo and Conditioner ($6 each), at drugstores and mass-market retailers. 

“Apparently half of all Canadians aren’t fond of conditioner, which seems crazy to me, particularly in the winter when low-humidity takes hair on a road trip to Static City. To stop that from happening, you need to add moisture inside the hair fibre and reduce friction on the surface. Enter conditioner. ‘You don’t want to rely on a conditioner that’s only going to blanket the surface [of your hair] because you’re still going to have the charge building up on the inside,’ explains Pantene principal scientist Jeni Thomas. ‘We formulate ours with a blend of moisturizers: some are very small, that we know can penetrate beyond the surface, and others that work to neutralize the charge on the surface.’ Brilliant.” — Beauty Director, Victoria DiPlacido

 

 

CAUDALIE DIVINE SCRUB 

Caudalie Divine Scrub ($44), at caudalie.com. 

“Caudalie’s Divine Scrub is a saviour in the winter months. Your skin will feel so soft and smooth you won’t want to dress appropriately for the weather.” — Fashion & Market Editor, Elaine Jyll Regio

 

 

L’OCCITANE AQUA GEL MOISTURIZER

L’Occitane Aqua Reotier Ultra Thirst-Quenching Gel Moisturizer ($34), at sephora.com. 

“I prefer gel textures to rich creams. In the summer, I only moisturize at night. In the winter, I use this morning and night.” — Style Editor, Liz Guber

 

 

OLAY TOTAL EFFECTS FRAGRANCE-FREE MOISTURIZER 

Olay Total Effects Fragrance-Free Moisturizer SPF 15 ($34), at drugstores and mass-market retailers.

“In a study conducted by Olay, the brand found that fine lines and wrinkles worsened in the winter months, which won’t come as a surprise to anyone living through Canadian winters. How to protect skin? Repeat after me: hydration, hydration, hydration. I have super oily skin, so I apply an extra layer of my favourite gel-textured moisturizer on top of a hyaluronic acid-rich serum. For normal to dry skin, Olay Total Effects is a great option. I love that it’s fragrance free and has a broad spectrum SPF. But you’re already wearing sunscreen everyday, right?” — Beauty Director, Victoria DiPlacido

 

 

FRESH VITAMIN GLOW WATER

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Antioxidant Glow Water ($30), at sephora.com. 

“I have dry skin in the summer, so you can imagine how bad it can get in the colder months. I have found that keeping a good hydrating mist on my desk to maintain moisture throughout the day really saves my skin through winter.” — Beauty Editorial Assistant, Natalie Brennan

 

 

KIEHL’S LIP BALM

Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 ($12), at kiehls.ca.

“So good you’re going to want one to keep in every bag you own.” — Editorial Assistant, Patricia Karounos

 

 

JUICE BEAUTY MOISTURIZER 

Juice Beauty Nutrient Moisturizer ($52), at sephora.com. 

“My skin gets super dry in winter – like, visible-flakiness-on-my-face dry. (Gross, I know.) Juice Beauty’s Nutrient Moisturizer is so rich and nourishing without being greasy – it’s one of the only moisturizers I’ve used that actually works and saves my face from our harshest weather.” — Production & Copy Editor, Ciara Rickard

 

 

SKINFIX HAND REPAIR CREAM 

Skinfix Hand Repair Cream ($18), at drugstores and mass-market retailers. 

“It’s basically the only cream that manages to turn my winter scaly hands back to normal.” — Assistant Art Director, Elena Viltovskaia

 

 

BIODERMA CREAM

Bioderma Atoderma Cream ($19.90), at drugstores and mass-market retailers. 

“I wash my hands a lot and as a result, they get super dry in the winter. This ultra-nourishing creme is thick but absorbs super quickly and keeps my skin moisturized throughout the day.” — Fashion Editorial Assistant, Eric Ngao

 

 

AESOP BODY BALM

Aesop Rind Concentrate Body Balm ($47) at Aesop. 

“I discovered this moisturizer in a hotel room I was staying at and fell in love with the scent—it’s just like peeling an orange.” — Style Editor, Liz Guber