Winter Bodycare: Lotion, Butter and Oil

Not too long ago, I used to loathe putting on body moisturizer after a shower. It felt time consuming when all I wanted to do was slip into some comfortable PJs and go on with my evening. Unfortunately I suffer from incredibly dry skin on my body for most of the year, especially from fall to early spring. If I don't slather on lotion, my skin develops scabs that scar and itch. It's pretty awful and I've had to find some body lotions I liked enough to encourage me to actually use them on a daily basis. Here I've got three different formulations and price points for every preference and budget.

The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a complete life savior for me and I was recommended it by Monika. I've already finished a tub of this cream months ago and just bought a new one and am almost out again. This is easily found at your local drugstore and costs about $16. It's a bit pricey for a drugstore cream but worth every penny and I try to stock up when they go on offer.

Second up is The Body Shop's Vanilla Brulee Body Butter, a seasonal offering which I'm pretty sure is limited edition. I generally like the body butters from The Body Shop but some of the scents are too strong and artificial. Vanilla Brulee is very mild and not overly sweet to the point where I smell like I bathed in cake batter. The butter is moisturizing without being greasy or heavy.

The Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, or better known in English as the Multi-Purpose Dry Oil, is a lovely treat for special evenings and extra stressful days. I had used up a baby sample of this body, hair and face oil and really enjoyed the lightweight, easily absorbed consistency and the fragrant but not overpowering scent. I mostly use this as a body oil and I'll take whatever is left over on my hands and run it through my hair. This is the least moisturizing of the lot but it doesn't feel sticky or oily at all and sinks into the skin nicely. I have to say the $45 price tag for this bottle is rather hefty and I admit I received this full size from work as gratis. If you're looking to treat someone you love this holiday season, pop this guy into a gift basket with some other relaxing treats and I'm sure the recipient will be extra chuffed.

How do you protect your skin from cold, dry weather? What formula do you prefer: lotion, butter or oil?