This $11 Drugstore Gem Is All Hudson Williams Needs for Winter Lips

If the last few weeks have shown us anything, it’s that winter is shaping up to be brutal. In NYC, we’ve already seen our first snowfall, complete with blisteringly cold temperatures. Unfortunately, the chill isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, which means it’s time to invest in skin-saving habits. Luckily, Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams is sharing his hack for chapped lips.

In conversation with The Cut, the breakout actor opened up about the most cherished products in his skin-care routine. Among them was a drugstore favorite: Aquaphor. A wintertime staple, Aquaphor’s Healing Ointment ($11) is a go-to for dry hands and heels. But Williams’ hack might be its best use yet. Instead of reaching for it for rough palms, he applies a dab to his lips to soothe them and keep dryness at bay.

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While most of us can attest to the annoyance of chapped lips in winter, Williams told the outlet that he’s pretty lip-obsessed and hates when they peel. Filming long days in Toronto-based hockey arenas likely doesn’t help. It may also explain why the balmy moisturizer has become a staple in his routine.

Shortly after sharing his favorites with the magazine, Williams took over their Instagram page to share the shortened five-step version. To say it shook the internet would be an understatement. The 20-minute video, filled with Williams candidly chatting about his routine, racked up over 1.5 million views with a lively comment section.

The on-screen hockey star starts with a few K-beauty products before pulling his enviably glossy hair back and diving in. From gua sha moments to a toner rant, it’s an entertaining ride.

But it’s the Aquaphor moment that really got people talking. Williams calls the ointment his secret for soothing chapped lips, adding that while he’s tried other products—including the cult-favorite Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask—nothing works quite as well. He even notes that while Aquaphor makes a lip salve, it doesn’t deliver the same smoothing effect as the original formula.

Ultimately, it’s a reminder that sometimes the best winter lip fix isn’t new, buzzy or expensive. Instead, it’s the $11 tube you already have in your medicine cabinet.