The newest addition to my shower routine is a winter game-changer

As someone who struggles with eczema, dry winter skin is my worst enemy. Add in my love for hot showers, and it's a recipe for irritation and unhappy skin. I'm Scandinavian, you'd think I'd be genetically inclined to withstand cold weather. News flash: I'm a disappointment to my ancestors.

I've seriously tried every moisturiser under the sun in winter. Even with my go-to body butter, I was still slathering on thick layers and feeling like I needed something more.

Enter: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Moisturising Body Oil.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

Get 50mL for $5.23Get 250mL for $16.84

The good bits:

• It deeply hydrates and softens skin
• It's packed with nourishing, nutrient-rich oil blends
• It has long-lasting moisture, up to 48 hours
• It's dermatologist-approved
• It can be used in the bath, shower and even post-shower
• It's cruelty-free and made without animal ingredients

My journey to body oil

I'm a simple girl. The kind who grabs an affordable shower wash from the grocery store. I don't splurge on fancy soaps (they literally go down the drain), I rarely justify spending on premium shampoo or conditioner, and I never fork out money for shaving cream. I use men's razors because they're cheaper, and honestly, better.

But, over the past few years, my TikTok feed has been flooded with videos of elaborate 10-step shower routines, featuring all sorts of products – the one product that always caught my attention, body oil.

I always wondered why people were obsessed, and how I'd never heard of it before.

Fast forward to now, and I'm holding Palmer's Cocoa Butter Moisturising Body Oil in my dry little hands.

Not to be dramatic, but one word: life-changing.

What I love

This oil has become a staple in my routine for so many reasons.

First off, it leaves my skin silky smooth and buttery soft. It's incredibly hydrating; honestly, it feels like I've moisturised before I even step out of the shower.

After consistently using it for just a few weeks, I can already see and feel a noticeable difference in how soft my skin is. And the smell? Incredible. It has that classic chocolate cocoa scent that Palmer's is known for.

It has a lightweight, silky consistency that absorbs into the skin without feeling greasy. It also works as an instant moisturiser after shaving.

My new routine is pretty simple but effective: I start with an Eco Tan By Sonya Driver Organic Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub, followed by my regular Palmolive Naturals body wash, and then the Palmer's body oil.

This combination has been a true game-changer for my shower routine! My skin has never felt so smooth, nourished, soft, and comfortable before. My skin is finally getting the hydration it's always craved.

The versatility is also a huge plus. You can use it in so many ways. Rub it straight onto dry skin, add a squirt to your bath water for an ultra-nourishing soak, or use it as a massage oil. If you forget to use it in the shower, you can slap it on as soon as you get out while your skin is damp for fast-absorbing deep moisture.

To top it all off, it's affordable and easy to find. It also pairs beautifully with the trusty Palmer's Cocoa Butter body lotion, making them a perfect duo for my troubled winter skin.

Some considerations

While I absolutely adore this oil, it's worth noting a couple of things. Unlike body wash, it's not exactly an "essential" shower item. It's more of a luxury – something you want, not necessarily something you need.

This is a phenomenal product in winter, and it has absolutely transformed my winter skin. That being said, is it a product I would use in the warmer months? Probably not. In the height of summer, you risk creating an oily feeling on your skin. I'd recommend using it only when your skin is dry and crying out for hydration.

Overall impression

I genuinely could not be more obsessed with a product right now! It's all I recommend; I even recently gifted the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Moisturising Body Oil to a friend so she could try it.

I also keep getting compliments on how great I smell and how smooth my skin feels.

While it's not technically an essential item for most people, it's definitely become a must-have in my shower routine, and I will continue buying it.

Consider me a shower oil convert!

READ MORE: The surprisingly cheap skincare an expert recommends for winter