We all know how harsh winter is on our skin, but that’s not only in London; it’s everywhere it gets cold, and it’s not only the cold air outside, it’s actually a combination of cold wind, low humidity, indoor heating, and hard water.
The worst (or best) part is that our skin is like a sponge, and when the air is humid, it stays soft, but when the air is dry, it shrinks and feels tight or hard like a stone.
That’s what’s happening to your skin: as the cold air holds less moisture, combined with indoor heating, you go for a hot bath, which feels amazing, and I understand it, but it erases your natural oils.
This winter process leaves our skin super dry, and no, the solution is not “just drink more water”. Hydration from the inside helps overall health, but your skin barrier? That’s an external issue. So the real issue isn’t just dryness, it’s protection.
What Body Wash Really Does
So, to have amazing skin during winter, we need to actually protect the skin to mitigate the dryness, right? Yes, and I know you must be wondering what it all has to do with your body wash, but how you wash your skin actually plays an important role.
Most traditional body washes are designed to do one thing very well, and that’s to clean. That’s why most of them use ingredients called surfactants, which basically are components that grab onto oil and dirt so water can rinse them away, and if combined with a body scrub for soft skin, it’s even better.
It’s like dish soap for your plates, and that’s not necessarily bad, because if you’ve had a sweaty gym session or applied heavy sunscreen, a good body wash can be helpful.
But here’s the problem in winter. Your skin’s natural oils are already low. Those oils aren’t just “grease.” They’re protective. They help seal in moisture and keep irritants out.
So when a body wash removes everything away, your skin doesn’t just feel clean. It actually gets exposed, and that tight, squeaky-clean feeling? It’s often your skin saying, “We removed too much.”
In summer, your skin can bounce back easily. In winter? Not so much.
What Shower Oil Does Differently
Now we know how the body wash works, and why it’s not so recommended during winter, but what about the shower oil? The first thing we need to make clear is that a shower oil body wash still cleanses. Many people believe that, thanks to it being an “oil,” doesn’t clean your skin properly, and that’s a lie.
The thing is that instead of aggressively stripping oil, they work with it. Oil attracts oil. So when you massage shower oil onto your skin, it dissolves dirt and excess sebum gently. Then, when water hits it, it emulsifies or turns milky and rinses off without leaving you greasy.
But that’s not the best part, after you are done, the oil leaves behind a light protective layer, which is not heavy or sticky, it’s just soft.
This is one of the biggest and key differences with other cleansers, and that’s why people describe it as “luxurious” or “silky.”
In winter, that extra protection can make a noticeable difference. Especially if your skin feels itchy, flaky, or reactive.
So… Which One Is Better for You?
There’s no single “best for you here”; it’s more like which one is better for an “X” situation. I mean, you can easily opt to use shower oil all year round, but you may end up feeling a bit “greasy” if the weather gets too hot.
That’s why you need to make it simple: listen to your skin. So, If your skin is:
- Dry or flaky, then, use shower oil.
- Sensitive or reactive, then, shower oil is recommended.
- Very oily or acne-prone skin, a mild body wash may still work better.
- Normal skin, no issues, you can alternate.
Here’s something most people don’t consider, but you don’t have to choose just one. You can easily use a body wash when you genuinely need a deeper clean, and use a shower oil on low-key days or when your skin feels stressed.
