As the cold season sets in, you may feel the change in your skin; it might feel tighter, look duller, or develop rough, tight patches.
Your go-to moisturiser might feel less hydrating than it did in the summer, and simply washing your face can feel drying and uncomfortable.
As much as it can be uncomfortable, winter dryness and tightness are completely normal.
There are many factors that contribute to winter dryness, such as cold weather, hot showers, changing skincare habits, house heating, and even your skin barrier function.
While many people might be prone to dryness in the cold months, those with dry skin types or mature skin might find that their skin is particularly sensitive or uncomfortable this time of the year.
Understanding why your skin is dry in the winter is the first step in figuring out the best approach to soothe it.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different causes of dry skin in the winter and how you can treat and prevent dry, itchy, or uncomfortable skin this season.
What Makes Your Skin Dry in the Winter?
As mentioned above, there are a variety of environmental and lifestyle factors that might damage your skin barrier, strip it of its natural moisture, or irritate it and make it feel dry and uncomfortable.
1. Cold Weather
Winter weather can wreak havoc on the skin.
First and foremost, cold weather often comes with low humidity, meaning that there is not much moisture in the air.
This causes transepidermal water loss (the movement and evaporation of water from deeper layers of the skin to the outer layer) to occur more frequently.
This moisture loss causes your skin to become rough, itchy, and uncomfortable.
What to Do About It
As much as possible, try to keep your moisturiser on your skin as a moisture barrier, especially after washing your face or taking a shower.
The right type of emollient-rich moisturiser can help your skin retain moisture and reduce dryness or discomfort.
2. Hot Showers
While a hot shower in the winter can feel amazing, there is a point where the water becomes too hot and strips your skin of its natural oils.
Also, long, hot showers can be damaging to the skin, and washing your face too roughly can strip it of its natural moisture.
What to Do About It
Try to limit the length and temperature of your showers and wash your face with lukewarm water instead of hot water.
Afterward, pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it, and apply a thick, hydrating moisturiser while your skin is still damp.
3. Skincare Routine Changes
As the seasons change, so do our skincare routines.
While some products may work year-round, others might not be as hydrating during the winter months and may even be irritating.
Additionally, ingredients like AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids can contribute to skin dryness.
Make sure that you are not introducing too many new products at once or using any skincare actives that cause excessive dryness or irritation.
What to Do About It
Try a different moisturiser if you feel like your current one isn’t working as well as it did in the summer.
Limit exfoliation and avoid potentially irritating actives if your skin barrier is damaged or sensitive. If you are using prescription skincare products, talk to your doctor before making any changes to your routine.
4. Indoor Heating
Whenever it gets cold outside, we tend to turn up the thermostat or use heating systems to keep our homes at a comfortable temperature.
While this is completely normal and understandable, it can lead to dry skin because of the reduced humidity indoors.
What to Do About It
Make sure that you moisturise your skin consistently. Apply a thicker layer of moisturiser to particularly dry areas, such as your hands, elbows, knees, and legs, while your skin is still damp.
You might also want to consider investing in a humidifier to keep dry air from irritating your skin.
Lastly, make sure that you aren’t sitting directly next to a space heater for extended periods.
5. Flaky Skin or a Damaged Skin Barrier
One of the most crucial parts of healthy, happy skin is its skin barrier function — its ability to keep moisture in and keep irritants out.
As we age, our skin barrier may become less effective at retaining moisture. These changes can become more noticeable from our 40s onwards.
What to Do About It
A flaky or sensitive skin barrier may show signs of dryness and irritation in the form of rough patches, redness, itchiness, and a stinging sensation when using products that previously caused no adverse reactions.
The best thing you can do for a sensitive skin barrier is to avoid over-exfoliating and using harsh skincare actives.
Instead, use gentle products while limiting the number of products in your routine.
Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and petrolatum can also help maintain moisture and support the skin barrier during winter.
Lastly, if your skin irritation continues, consult a dermatologist to determine whether other factors may be contributing to your sensitive skin barrier.
How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated in the Winter
Now that you understand the causes of winter dryness, it’s time to move on to the most important part — treating it!
While winter dryness is common and expected, that doesn’t mean you have to accept it. There are several things you can do to keep your skin happy and healthy throughout the season.
The biggest change you may need to make concerns the most essential part of any skincare routine: moisturiser.
However, while it is important to choose a good-quality moisturiser, not all moisturisers are suitable for every skin type.
To find the best moisturiser for your skin, look for ingredients such as:
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Hyaluronic acid: Helps attract and retain moisture.
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Glycerin: Helps draw water into the outer layers of the skin.
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Ceramides: Help support the skin's protective barrier.
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Petrolatum: Helps reduce moisture loss.
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Shea butter: Helps soften the skin and reduce moisture loss.
While most people can tolerate a general moisturiser, those with oily or acne-prone skin may do better with a lightweight, non-comedogenic alternative.
Very dry skin may also benefit from a thicker, creamier moisturiser to reduce flaking and irritation.
Most importantly, opt for a non-irritating moisturiser that helps keep your skin barrier intact. This can reduce overall moisture loss throughout the day.
Building Your Own Winter Skincare Routine
Now that you have a general idea of what to look for in a moisturiser, it’s time to build a skincare routine tailored specifically to your skin.
During the cold months, it’s important to give your skin the proper care and attention it needs. However, that doesn’t mean you should introduce an excessive number of new products at once.
Aim for a simple, straightforward, yet effective skincare routine.
Morning Skincare Routine
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Cleanse your face: Use a gentle cleanser or simply rinse with water if you do not feel the need to remove excess oil.
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Apply a hydrating serum: Choose one according to your skin's needs.
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Moisturise: Use a moisturiser suitable for your skin type that does not irritate your skin barrier.
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Apply sunscreen: Finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin from UV exposure.
Nighttime Skincare Routine
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Remove makeup and sunscreen: Use an appropriate cleanser to remove makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil.
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Apply a rich moisturiser: Choose a nourishing moisturiser to help maintain your skin barrier throughout the night.
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Use other treatments only if needed: Include additional topical actives according to your skin's needs and tolerance.
Sunscreen is just as important during winter, especially if you live in an area where sunny winter days are common.
Other Ways to Combat Winter Dryness
While finding the right moisturiser is a priority, there are other measures you can take to help your skin stay healthy during the winter season.
For example, exfoliants may be more irritating to a sensitive skin barrier during the colder months. Always take care when exfoliating, and avoid it if your skin is already dry, irritated, or uncomfortable.
Additionally, a proper skincare routine is only one part of maintaining healthy skin.
Drinking enough water and getting sufficient sleep each night support your overall well-being. Using a humidifier at home may also help if the indoor air is particularly dry.
If you spend extended periods in heated indoor environments, make sure you moisturise your skin regularly throughout the day.
Lastly, eating nutrient-rich meals is just as important as staying hydrated and getting enough sleep when it comes to supporting your overall health.
Does Winter Dryness Affect Mature Skin More?
As previously mentioned, the skin barrier can become less effective at retaining moisture as we age. These changes may become more noticeable from our mid-40s onwards.
From the age of 40 onwards, some people may start noticing more visible fine lines and wrinkles.
As our skin loses some of its natural lipids, it may become progressively drier. This can make the effects of cold winter weather more noticeable.
The best things you can do for ageing skin are to nourish and hydrate it throughout the day, use gentle cleansers, and avoid products that irritate your skin barrier.
Using hyaluronic acid and glycerin can help keep mature skin hydrated, while ceramides, petrolatum, and shea butter can help support the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss.
Mature skin that is prone to dryness may also benefit from a richer moisturiser to improve comfort and soften the appearance of lines caused by dryness.
Topical actives do not need to be avoided simply because of age. However, if your skin barrier is compromised, you may need to reduce or temporarily stop irritating treatments until your skin recovers.
Another essential step in maintaining the health of ageing skin is wearing sunscreen every day. Sunscreen helps protect against UV damage, which can contribute to premature skin ageing.
It is also important to avoid irritating the skin barrier as much as possible to help maintain its protective function.
A simple skincare routine for mature skin can include a gentle cleanser, a suitable serum if needed, a hydrating moisturiser, and daily sunscreen. Retinol may also be useful for some people, provided their skin tolerates it.
The Difference Between Dry Skin and Dehydrated Skin, and Why It Matters
Dryness can be tricky to navigate during the winter season.
One of the most confusing aspects of skin dryness is determining whether you have dry skin or dehydrated skin.
Dry skin is a skin type, whereas dehydrated skin is a skin condition.
Dry skin generally produces less natural oil than needed to keep it comfortable. Dehydrated skin lacks water, but it can still produce natural oils.
The two conditions may require different approaches, so it is helpful to understand the difference.
For example, oily skin may need additional hydration if it is dehydrated, while dry skin may benefit more from an emollient-rich moisturiser that helps prevent excessive moisture loss.
If you aren’t sure which category your skin falls into, opt for gentle skincare products that won't strip your skin barrier of its natural oils.
Gentle cleansers and moisturisers can suit many skin types, with additional serums or emollients chosen according to individual needs.
If you suspect that you have dehydrated skin and your symptoms persist, consider consulting a dermatologist before making significant changes to your skincare routine.
Common Mistakes That Damage Winter Skin
Now that you have learned more about the causes of dryness and how to manage it, it is worth understanding the habits you should avoid during the winter months.
Some common winter skincare mistakes include:
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Using hot water: Hot water can strip away some of your skin's natural oils.
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Not moisturising enough: Cold weather and low humidity can increase moisture loss.
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Using a harsh cleanser: Harsh products may leave your skin feeling dry and tight.
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Exfoliating too much: Excessive exfoliation can damage the skin barrier and increase irritation.
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Skipping sunscreen: UV exposure can contribute to premature skin ageing, even during winter.
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Following a complicated skincare routine: Introducing too many new products at the same time can increase the risk of irritation.
Rather than making drastic changes to your skincare routine, observe how your skin reacts to the products you are currently using.
If you suspect that a specific ingredient is irritating your skin or damaging your skin barrier, stop using it if necessary and seek professional advice if the reaction persists. When introducing new products, do so gradually.
Final Words on Winter Dryness
Winter dryness is something many of us experience during the colder months. However, just because it is common does not mean we have to accept ongoing discomfort.
Understanding the factors that contribute to dry, itchy, or rough skin can help you determine the best approach to soothing it.
The winter season can be particularly challenging for the skin, but a gentle skincare routine that focuses on moisturising can help soften and hydrate your skin throughout the season.
Cold air, hot water, ageing, excessive exfoliation, and harsh ingredients can all contribute to winter dryness.
Always observe how your skin responds to specific products and ingredients, and adjust your routine according to its needs.
If your skin irritation does not improve or keeps returning, consult a qualified dermatologist to identify the underlying cause.
Above all, take care of your skin, and it will thank you for it, no matter what time of year it is.