Hydration Without the ‘Hy’ Price: 8 Nourishing Winter Beauty Essentials for Under $18

When temperatures drop and indoor heating kicks in, my skin and hair tend to lose moisture fast. This leads to a mess of issues like dryness, dullness, and irritation. So, as soon as the weather gets colder, I like switching to my winter routine to prioritize deep hydration, barrier support, and gentle nourishment.

In this survival guide, I’ve rounded up affordable, effective products that keep skin soft, hair healthy, and moisture levels balanced all season long.

Cocokind Oil to Milk Cleanser

Price: $17.97

Cocokind’s Oil to Milk Cleanser took my makeup off really easily without drying me out, and I love that it’s a fragrance-free and cruelty-free product. This gentle, hydrating cleanser transforms from oil to a milky wash that melts away makeup and impurities without stripping the skin. Formulated with fermented oat and sunflower oil, it supports the moisture barrier and leaves skin soft, balanced, and soothed. It’s great for sensitive or dry complexions, making it perfect for winter skin in need of some nourishment.

ITK Skincare Deep Moisture Rich Face Cream

Price: $14.82

ITK Skincare’s Deep Moisture Rich Face Cream is a deeply hydrating daily moisturizer packed with ceramides and shea butter to strengthen the skin barrier and lock in long-lasting moisture. This rich yet non-greasy formula calms dryness, improves texture, and leaves the complexion soft and supple.

This face cream is suitable for day and night. Personally, I prefer a dense cream like this for overnight since it feels a bit heavy for daytime use — but if your skin is feeling dried out and you need a more intensive moisturizer, this will do the trick.

Dr Teal's Moisturizing Body Lotion

Price: $5.87

This might be my new favorite body lotion. It delivers lightweight and lasting hydration with a fast-absorbing blend of shea butter, cocoa butter, and vitamin E. The formula nourishes and softens dry skin (and smells delicious while doing it).

I really like using it post-shower to lock in moisture and keep my skin feeling soft and hydrated. And while this lotion does have a light fragrance, it’s nothing my sensitive nose or sensitive skin can’t handle.

Betres Oatmeal Soap Bar

Price: $1.17

I’m a huge supporter of everyone having a trusty bar of oatmeal soap on hand, especially during winter, and this budget-friendly Betres soap bar is worth every penny. Enriched with colloidal oatmeal to gently cleanse while calming dryness and irritation, this bar’s non-stripping formula leaves skin clean, soft, and comfortable, making it great for sensitive skin types.

This is a simple, nourishing addition to any body-care routine. I love its light fragrance, rich lather, and how gently exfoliating it is. Plus, it’s gentle enough for the whole family.

Shea Moisture Intensive Hydration Treatment Masque

Price: $2.97 (in store)

I’ve been using this creamy, luxurious hair mask for a few months now, and my hair is happier than ever. It delivers intense hydration with manuka honey, mafura oil, and shea butter to restore softness and shine. It nourishes dry, brittle hair and helps reduce frizz and improve manageability. And it smells so delicious!

I like to use it as a weekly deep treatment — simply use it in place of conditioner and let it sit for 10 minutes before washing it out. You can amplify the results by letting it sit under a plastic shower cap.

NatureWell Shimmer Lip Butter

Price: $6.88

This moisturizing lip butter is infused with botanical oils and delivers a subtle shimmer for a smooth, glossy finish. I really like how it softens and conditions dry lips while adding a touch of natural radiance, and it was easy to layer on top of other lipsticks. It’s lightweight and comfortable, smells great, and feels like a nice, nourishing gloss.

I’ll admit, I didn’t initially realize there was a shimmer, but I’m impressed with the quality! It’s not super long-lasting but it’s very easy to apply, and the tube is slim enough to slip into almost any bag.

Organix Renewing Argan Oil

Price: $4.48 (in store)

My ends are always a little dry in winter, so I’ve been a big fan of argan oil for years. This one from Organix is rich, fast-absorbing, and helps improve softness, shine, and elasticity. It combats my frizz, smooths my split ends, and protects against dryness and styling damage.

Be warned: a little goes a very long way! Be sure to oil damp hair, and begin at the ends. Using too much will result in oily, weighed-down hair.

De La Cruz Rosemary Hair & Skin Oil

Price: $2.97 (in store)

A versatile multipurpose oil that helps nourish the scalp, supports healthier-looking hair, and moisturizes dry skin — If you’ve been curious about adding rosemary essential oil to your care routine, start with this product. It’s lightweight and herbaceous, and can be used as a pre-wash treatment, growth oil, or body hydrator. I like to use it on its own before washing my hair, but you can mix it with your shampoo if you prefer.

Typically, straight rosemary essential oil (like all essential oils) is highly concentrated and needs to be mixed with a carrier oil for it to be skin-safe. This product, however, is already blended with avocado, castor, and olive oil, so you can use it right away.