Winter has a way of sneaking up on our skin. One day you’re fine, the next your elbows feel unfamiliar, your lips are perpetually chapped, and your feet are begging for mercy. The solution isn’t piling on more product, but instead choosing smarter, more thoughtful formulations that actually work with the season.
This winter, we’re turning to homegrown brands that understand Indian skin, Indian weather, and the everyday realities of dry air conditioned air, low humidity, and long days. From comforting body butters to gentle exfoliants that won’t wreck your barrier, here are six winter care favourites worth making space for.
SMOO® Candy Kiss Buttergel®, Chosen by Dermatology
Image Source: Chosenstore.in
If winter dryness shows up as tight, uncomfortable skin that never seems to drink up enough moisture, this one’s a quiet hero. SMOO®’s Candy Kiss Buttergel® is a plant-based body moisturiser that feels indulgent without being overwhelming. It’s especially helpful if you spend most of your day in air-conditioned environments, where low humidity can quietly sabotage your skin barrier. The fact that it’s 99.9 per cent natural and preservative-free only adds to the appeal.
Glossy Lip Butter in Dusky Rose, Sohrai
Image Source: sohraibeauty.com
Winter lips demand more than a quick swipe of balm. Sohrai’s Glossy Lip Butter in Dusky Rose understands that perfectly. Infused with Mahua Oil, Shea, and Amla, this formula delivers hydration with a soft, wearable tint that feels effortless. The dusky rose shade adds just enough colour to brighten your face on bare-skin days, while the glossy finish makes lips look healthy and plump without feeling sticky.
The Foot Balm, Hibiscus Monkey
Image Source: hibiscusmonkey.com
Feet are often winter’s most neglected casualty. Dry, cracked heels, rough patches, and that uncomfortable tightness are usually brushed aside. That’s exactly why Hibiscus Monkey’s Foot Balm Stick feels like an overdue intervention. Instead of harsh exfoliants, this balm relies on plant-powered nutrition from vitamin-fortified butters like Shea and Kokum which deliver deep nourishment. The essential fatty acids (Omega 3, 6, and 9) and Vitamin E help repair the skin’s lipid barrier.
Other skin-happy ingredients include Olive Squalane, Turmeric Root Oil, Lemon Peel Oil and an aromatic essential oil blend. The stick format makes application mess-free and fuss-free, which means you’re far more likely to actually use it.
Hand-Worked Red Sandalwood & Saffron Renewing Mousse, Old School Rituals
Image Source: oldschoolrituals.com
There’s something deeply grounding about skincare rooted in traditional ingredients, and Old School Rituals leans into that beautifully. This renewing mousse blends Red Sandalwood and Kashmiri Saffron into a hydrating, age-defying moisturiser that feels especially comforting in colder months. Both ingredients are known for their antibacterial, cooling properties, making this ideal for skin that feels stressed, inflamed, or uneven. Over time, it is meant to reduce pigmentation, scars, and acne, while supporting smoother, more even-toned skin.
Daily Liquid Exfoliant, Gunam Beauty
Image Source: gunambeauty.com
Winter exfoliation needs a delicate hand, and Gunam Beauty’s Daily Liquid Exfoliant strikes that balance well. This multitasking formula combines AHAs (glycolic and lactic acid) with BHA (salicylic acid) to gently exfoliate, unclog pores, and smooth texture, all without stripping the skin. Packed with ingredients like Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, and calming botanicals like Rose, Chamomile, and Aloe Vera, this exfoliant is ideal for winter when dead skin tends to build up but aggressive treatments can backfire.
The Do-It-All Cream Cleanser, Aminu
Image Source: aminu.life
A good winter routine starts with a cleanser that knows when not to do too much. Aminu’s Cream Cleanser is gentle, non-foaming, and deeply comforting. The creamy texture lifts dirt, light makeup, and sunscreen without disrupting the skin barrier. Soothing botanicals, nourishing oils, and a barrier-boosting sugar complex leave skin calm, hydrated, and never tight. It’s the kind of cleanser that makes you realise how much damage over-cleansing can do, especially in winter.
Winter skincare doesn’t have to be complicated and these homegrown brands prove that thoughtful formulations, rooted in both science and tradition, can make all the difference. Whether it’s restoring moisture, protecting your barrier, or adding small moments of comfort to your routine, these six favourites are well worth the shelf space this season.
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