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Friday, Sep 18, 2026

9 All-Purpose Ointments, Balms, and Salves to Heal Dry Winter Skin Once and for All

9 All-Purpose Ointments, Balms, and Salves to Heal Dry Winter Skin Once and for All

What to do when all the creams in the world aren’t enough to conquer winter’s all-too-common cracked and chapped complexions? Before calling it a lost cause, consider the wide-ranging restorative benefits of ointments, balms, and salves.

After all, there’s a reason that, decades after their launches, formulas like Egyptian Magic and Lucas’ Papaw, which offer a quick solution for everything from scaly lips to dry cuticles, still line the bathroom shelves of women the world round. Now, the category is receiving a 21st-century upgrade thanks to novel blends such as 8 Faces’ CAP-approved Boundless Solid Oil and Lano’s powerfully hydrating Golden Dry Skin Salve.

Best of all? These products don’t have to be relegated to the back of your medicine cabinet once temperatures start to rise. Just take it from chef-turned-moisture-maven Lauren Willson, whose organic ointment, called Lauren’s All-Purpose Salve, works just as well on windburn as sunburns. As she says, when it comes to these multitaskers, “the possibilities are endless!” Below, nine year-round fix-alls to invest in for better skin now and later.

8 Faces Boundless Solid Oil


8 Faces Boundless Solid Oil comes packed with antioxidant-rich amla berry and softening oils like tangerine, evening primrose, and baobab seed that melt into skin and leave behind a dewy glow.



Lano Golden Dry Skin Salve


Safe enough for a baby’s skin, Lano’s 100% natural, Leaping Bunny–certified multitasker can offer a quick fix for scaly patches or be worn overnight as an ultra-reparative moisture mask.



Lauren’s All Purpose Salve


This salve takes on cracked heels, dry lips, and brittle hair, too, thanks to its creamy blend of shea butter, coconut oil, and burdock root. (Rumor on the street? It can even be used as an organic lubricant.)



Earth Tu Face Skin Stick


Toss Earth Tu Face’s fast-absorbing geranium-and-vetiver-scented beeswax stick into your carryall for an on-the-go hydration boost.



Kiehl’s Since 1851 Ultimate Strength Hand Salve


Specifically formulated to treat dry, active hands, Kiehl’s maximum-strength moisturizer is the perfect antidote to over-washed and sanitizer-stripped skin.



Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream


Containing just six simple ingredients, this tried-and-true cream, which turns 30 this year, is beloved by everyone from Kate Hudson to makeup artist Lucia Pieroni, who has been known to dab it onto models’ eyelids and cheekbones for an extra glow.



Glossier Balm Dotcom


Open the bag of any It girl and chances are you’ll find a tube of Glossier’s conditioning, cruelty-free Balm Dotcom, which is offered in nine scents including fig, mint, and a transportive coconut that conjures an island escape.



Pai Skincare The Peacekeeper


Slather Pai Skincare’s soothing buriti and kukui oil-laced formula across lips and limbs alike for long-lasting (grease-free!) comfort and relief.



Lucas’ Papaw Ointment


Made from a 100-year-old family recipe, Lucas’ Papaw ointment contains pure Australian papaya that’s helped this humble skin-care savior earn cult status. Rest assured: a little goes a long way.


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