What makes balms different from your typical body lotion? Balms don’t contain water, resulting in a much thicker, and well ... balmy texture. While similar to your typical body moisturizer or lotion, their texture is rather solid and breaks down upon contact with heat or by being rubbed into skin. Moisturizers or lotions contain water and help your skin stay hydrated. As balms are uber concentrated, a little goes a long way, so you can use far less than you would with a typical moisturizer. Ideal for winter dryness and for keeping skin moisturized in the heat of summer, body balms are great skin cures to conceal and heal. Some balms can even improve the appearance of scar tissue, blisters and other forms of damaged skin. Using a balm every day can be a great remedy for dry or dehydrated skin to evade further loss of moisture and to nourish and repair even the most sensitive of skin types. Balm is also great for travel! Just apply it before your flight to maintain hydration.

As for serums, you’ve heard of them for your face, but for your body? What do these wonder goodies do? A body serum works the same way as a face serum, infusing healthful ingredients and antioxidants into the skin. While not meant to replace moisturizers, as balms are not meant to either; every product plays a specific role. Body serums with active ingredients are effective in seeping into the skin’s surface to allow your skin to absorb all the beneficial ingredients it may need. Body serums serve different needs, depending on their active ingredients. Note how the skin’s surface looks and feels after use. Apply your body serum either in the morning or in the evening before bed to dry skin, and massage in before a sunscreen, lotion or balm.

Body serums and balms will provide your skin with the care and nourishment it deserves. The most difficult part is simply deciding which body serum or balm is right for you. We’ve done some of the groundwork here and selected a few beauty booty tools great for winter — yes, even in the islands. From organic brands to highly advanced formulas and French vanity household names, here’s our pick of balms and serums to try.

UA Body Botanical Skin Repair not only hails from Hawai‘i but is also multi-use: It can be used for both face and body. With the potency of a balm or salve (why it’s listed here among the others), this creamy texture blend of kukui oil, avocado butter, and other local ingredients works well on irritated areas. Use in small amounts to treat dry or damaged skin.

Isomers Skincare focuses on “Skin Science” and provides two high-quality body serums for use: the Glutathiosome High Potency Body Serum and Matrixyl (Protein Peptides) 20% + HA High Strength Peptide Body Serum. The first is powerful and potent and works to boost glutathione, the most abundant antioxidant in our bodies. The latter is infused with micronized collagen to reduce and prevent wrinkles.

One Love Organics’ Gardenia + Tea Antioxidant Body Serum is lightweight and fast-absorbing and is infused with the nutrient powerhouse Antileukine 6® to maintain moisture with the fragrance of a fresh garden.

Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Super Anti-Aging Body Serum touts a stretch mark killer in a bottle with lima bean and peptides to improve skin elastin and the overall fiber network. Duo hyaluronic acid and brown algae also do their fair share in keeping the skin radiant-looking.

And Dior’s Le Baume is as stylish as it is useful. Body, face, and lips, this travel-friendly, ultra-compact design will assure you stay fresh and hydrated on the go. Keep it in the palm of your hand.