It’s mid-January in Central PA. You know what that means.

Your hands look like they belong to someone 30 years older. Your legs are so dry they’re leaving scratch marks. Your lips cracked the moment you stepped outside. And somewhere in the house, someone is complaining that their skin “feels weird.”

Welcome to winter. Population: all of us.

The Central PA Winter Skin Problem

Here’s what we’re dealing with:

Outside: Cold wind that strips moisture from exposed skin the moment you walk to your car.

Inside: Forced air heat running constantly, turning your home into a humidity desert.

Everywhere: Flu season hand washing. Constant. Endless. Necessary. Brutal.

The result? By mid-January, most families are dealing with:

Cracked knuckles that sting every time you wash dishes
Itchy legs that keep you awake at night
Lips so chapped they hurt to smile
Kids complaining their skin “feels scratchy”

Sound familiar? Here’s what actually helps.

The Winter Emergency Kit

After years of making products for Central PA families (and living through these winters ourselves), here’s what we keep within arm’s reach from January through March.

By Every Sink: Lotion Bars

This is the game-changer.

You wash your hands approximately 47 times a day in winter. Every single wash strips moisture. If you’re waiting until bedtime to moisturize, you’ve already lost the battle.

The fix: Keep a lotion bar by every sink in your house.

Kitchen sink (the worst offender because of dish soap)
Bathroom sink
Kids’ bathroom
Even the laundry room if you’ve got one

After you wash, grab the lotion bar, run it over your hands for 5 seconds, done. It melts with your body heat, absorbs fast, and doesn’t leave you feeling greasy.

Our go-to winter scents:

Cocoa Butter - Unscented, pure moisture
Lavender - Calming, especially nice before bed
Vanilla - Warm and comforting

After Showers: Body Butter

Here’s a trick that makes a huge difference: Apply body butter while your skin is still slightly damp.

Not dripping wet. Just that moment after you’ve toweled off but before your skin is completely dry. The butter seals in that moisture before the dry air can steal it.

Our body butters are thick enough to actually work but absorb without leaving your clothes greasy. Apply to legs, arms, anywhere that gets itchy.

Winter favorites:

Hawaiian Ginger - A little tropical escape
Pineapple & Coconut - Smells like vacation
Mango - Sweet and moisturizing

In Every Pocket/Purse/Car: Lip Balm

Chapped lips are the first sign that winter has arrived. They’re also the easiest to prevent.

The key is having lip balm everywhere so you actually use it:

Coat pocket
Purse
Car cup holder
Nightstand
Desk at work

If you have to go looking for it, you won’t use it consistently. Make it impossible to forget.

When the Crud Hits: Vapor Bear Balm

January in Central PA means flu season. When the congestion hits (and it will), Vapor Bear Balm is our answer.

Rub it on your chest before bed. The vapors help clear your head so you can actually sleep. It’s the natural version of that stuff your mom used to use, without the petroleum.

Also works great for:

Stuffy noses
Sinus pressure
That general “I can’t breathe” feeling

For Really Bad Days: Hot Cocoa Bath Soak

Sometimes you need more than a quick fix. Sometimes you need to soak.

Our Hot Cocoa Bath Soak is basically a warm hug in powder form. Run a warm bath (not hot - we’ll get to that), add a scoop, and stay in there until the water gets cold.

The smell? Like someone’s making hot chocolate in the next room. The feeling? The tension in your shoulders finally letting go.

This is the “I survived this week” treat.

The One Habit That Changes Everything

Here’s the single most impactful thing you can do for your winter skin:

Turn down your shower temperature by one notch.

I know. Hot showers feel incredible when it’s 20 degrees outside. That scalding water is the only thing that feels warm all day.

But here’s what’s happening: Hot water strips the natural oils from your skin faster than you can replace them. You’re essentially power-washing away your moisture barrier every morning.

You don’t have to go cold. Just slightly less scalding. Warm instead of hot. Your skin will hold onto moisture better, and you’ll need less product to stay comfortable.

Try it for one week. Your February skin will thank you.

Quick Fixes for Common Winter Problems

“My hands crack and bleed”

Lotion bar after EVERY hand wash, not just some
Wear gloves outside (even for short trips)
Apply body butter to hands before bed, then wear cotton gloves overnight

“My legs are so itchy I can’t sleep”

Body butter immediately after showering
Don’t scratch (it makes it worse, you know this)
Consider a humidifier in your bedroom

“My lips are beyond help”

Stop licking them (it makes it worse)
Apply lip balm before going outside, not after
Reapply throughout the day, especially before bed

“My kid says everything feels scratchy”

Switch to gentle, natural soap (harsh cleansers make it worse)
Lotion bar after bath time
Check if their pajamas are irritating (synthetic fabrics can be rough on dry skin)

Building Your Kit

Here’s the minimum winter survival kit for a Central PA family:

Essentials:

2-3 lotion bars (kitchen sink, bathroom, backup)
1 body butter
3-4 lip balms (distribute everywhere)
1 Vapor Bear Balm (flu season essential)

Nice to have:

Bath soak for really rough days
Extra lotion bars for purse/car
Shower melts for congestion relief

Everything’s available at Carlisle Creative Vibes (152 N Hanover St, Carlisle) or online. Stop by and smell everything in person, or order online and we’ll ship to your door.

You’ve Got This

January is the hardest month for skin. But you’re past the halfway point now. February will be slightly better. March brings hope. And by April, we’ll all forget how miserable this was.

Until then: lotion bars by every sink, body butter after showers, lip balm in every pocket.

Small habits, big difference.

What’s your winter skin survival secret? We’d love to hear what works for your family. Find us on Facebook or stop by CCV and tell us in person!

Stay warm out there, Stacie, Maddi & Scott

winter skincare dry skin Central PA family wellness lotion bars

Winter Dry Skin Emergency Kit: What Every Central PA Family Needs