As a Canadian, you’d think I’d be equipped to deal with winter. Yet today’s -19°C (feeling like -37°C after the wind-chill) proves otherwise. The bitter, frigid cold is brutal – getting through every layer of clothing and chilling through to the bone. Yet as cold as it may get, nothing is worse than the chapped/cracked/dry/sore hands that come along with it. As I sip my tea and get cozy, finally inside, I’m getting together my “Hand-y” Survival Kit (see what I did there?)

So what do you do to prepare yourself for winter? Or how do you fix the damage that has already happened? Here are a few ‘Handy’ products (see…I did it again) to get you through the season.

The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Hand and Nail Treatment – a great hand and nail moisturizer for every day and all skin types. This is a great hand moisturizer during the winter season to start early and prevent the problems from starting when the weather gets cold. I used it a lot at the beginning of the season…but kinda forgot for awhile and now it’s beyond this…my hands need deep moisturization, repair and protection now, not found in this product.

The Body Shop’s Absinthe Purifying Hand Butter – This hand butter is similar to other body butters from The Body Shop. It intensely moisturizes your hands, so now we’re getting into some more heavy duty moisturization. Still great for every day of the winter season. Haven’t been able to use it a lot yet as it’s still a new product.

The Body Shop’s Hemp Hand Protector – I’ve loved The Body Shop’s Hemp line for years, even though it’s advertised as men’s products. The tube says that it’s heavy duty moisturization and is meant the protect and repair extremely dry hands. I love the product, although I find I have to reapply often in order to get true protection and repair.

Gold Bond Ultimate Intensive Healing Hand Cream – This little tube has been working wonders. My hands have been really bad lately due to cold + work (involving hands constantly being wet and elbow deep in sanitizers). This product repairs intense cracks and damage that have already started and takes away all itching from cracked skin. Its not greasy, absorbs quickly, has a light fresh scent, and even lasts through hand washing. It continues to moisturize for hours after applying. I’m in love with it!!

So protect you hands and get out of the cold. Hopefully it’s not as cold where you are – and if you have plans to travel to Canada any time soon please pack layers, make sure you cover your ears and hands, and moisturize like crazy!!