What Causes Extreme Skin Dryness in Winter And How to Treat It
Dry skin happens when your skin can’t hold on to enough moisture. One of the biggest reasons for dry skin in winter is the drop in humidity, both outdoors and inside your home. When the air is dry, your skin loses water and becomes rough, tight, or itchy.
The good news is that with some simple steps, you can relieve cold weather and skin dryness. However, if the dry skin remains untreated, it can lead to extreme skin dryness and more severe conditions.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the common reasons for dry skin in winter, how to treat winter skin dryness, and winter skincare tips for dry skin.
Top Causes of Dry Skin in Winter
When winter arrives, the cold, dry air and indoor heaters pull moisture out of your skin, making it dry and irritated. This leads to what’s often called extreme skin dryness.
Your skin’s top layer, called the epidermis, includes a part called the skin barrier, which protects your skin and holds in moisture. This barrier is made of dead skin cells and natural oils. During winter, your skin produces fewer oils and retains less moisture, causing the barrier to break down.
Indoor heating systems dry the air, while cold wind and rain strip away your skin’s natural oils. Hot showers, strong soaps, and even harsh towel-drying can make things worse.
Other things like age, gender, climate, or certain medical conditions can also increase winter skin itchiness or lead to skin peeling in winter.
Common Signs of Dry Skin in Winter
When your skin barrier is affected by winter air, you might notice:
- Flaking
- Rough or dry patches
- Cracks or splits
- Redness (especially in lighter skin tones)
- Itching or tightness
- Burning or stinging
- Cracked skin in winter
- Sensitivity to touch
Many people feel more than one of these symptoms, and some can experience extreme skin dryness. However, with the right skin care, you can prevent dry skin in winter.
How to Treat Dry and Cracked Skin in Winter
The main goal of treating dry skin in winter is to add moisture back into the skin and protect it from further damage.
Stick with a simple skincare routine. Avoid using too many products, as your skin needs rest, not stress.
The most important step is to apply a rich, unscented moisturizer. Thicker creams are better than gels or lotions, especially if your skin is already irritated.
Look for moisturizers with:
- Emollients, like linoleic, linolenic, and lauric acids, to smooth skin
- Humectants, like glycerin, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and sorbitol, to draw in moisture
- Occlusives, like lanolin, mineral oil, or silicone, to lock in moisture
Apply your moisturizer right after washing, while your skin is still damp. This locks in water and keeps the cold-weather dry skin from getting worse.
Winter Skincare Tips for Dry Skin
Here are some helpful changes you can make to fight dry skin in winter and keep your skin healthy all season long:
-
Boost Moisture Indoors with a Humidifier
Dry air indoors can make your skin even drier. Using a humidifier adds moisture to the air and helps prevent cold weather and skin dryness.
It’s especially helpful at night when your skin is trying to repair itself.
-
Simplify Your Skincare Routine for Cold Weather
If your face is red, itchy, or sensitive, simplify your routine.
Stick to:
Avoid using alcohol, fragrances, or too many active ingredients. Once your skin barrier recovers, you can reintroduce your favorite products.
-
Always Moisturize After Washing Your Skin
Washing your face or hands removes your skin’s natural oils. To replace them, apply a gentle moisturizer every time you wash, especially in winter.
Keep a moisturizer near your sink and carry a small one when you’re out. Choose products that include ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. At the same time, avoid products with fragrance, dyes, alcohol, and denatured alcohol.
-
Don’t Skip Sunscreen (Even in Winter)
Even though the sun isn’t as strong in winter, UV rays still affect your skin and weaken its moisture barrier. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every morning. You can even use a moisturizing sunscreen to protect and hydrate at once.
-
Try Overnight Remedies for Extra Hydration
Night is the best time to repair your skin. Emollients work well but take time to absorb, so apply them before bed. If using a thick cream on your hands or feet, wear gloves or socks overnight to avoid stains and help the product soak in.
-
Be Gentle with Exfoliating and Towel Drying
Removing dead skin can help, but overdoing it can harm your skin’s barrier. Avoid harsh scrubs and stick to gentle exfoliants like AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) and BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids) if needed.
If your skin is cracked or irritated, skip exfoliating until it heals. Also, after bathing, patting your skin dry instead of rubbing it helps hold in moisture.
-
Seal in Moisture with Occlusive Products
If regular creams aren’t enough to relieve dry skin in winter, try using occlusives. These form a protective layer over your skin to keep moisture in.
Great occlusive options include:
- Petroleum jelly (like Vaseline)
- Shea butter
- Rosehip or jojoba oil
- Cocoa butter
- Aquaphor
Apply after moisturizing, once or twice daily. You can also try slugging, where you apply an occlusive layer over your nighttime moisturizer.
-
Use Warm (Not Hot) Water
Hot showers feel good in the cold, but they can dry your skin fast. Warm water (around 98.6°F or 37°C) is much gentler on your skin. After your shower, gently pat (don’t rub) your skin with a towel and apply moisturizer right away.
-
Choose Skin-Friendly Clothes and Laundry Products
Tight or rough fabrics can cause irritation and itchiness to peeling or cracked skin in winter. Wear soft, relaxed clothes like cotton. Also, switch to gentle detergents that are suitable for sensitive skin and are free of fragrances and harsh chemicals.
-
Support Your Skin with Hydration and Nutrition
Drink plenty of water and consume hydrating fluids such as purified aloe juice throughout the day. It may not solve extreme skin dryness completely, but it helps your body function well.
Eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids like salmon or walnuts, and antioxidants like berries, spinach, green tea, and aloe vera juice. These nutrients support healthy skin and help protect against damage.
-
Protect Your Hands with Gloves in Cold Weather
Your hands are exposed the most in winter, and hot water and cold air can dry them out quickly. Wear insulated gloves outdoors and rubber or silicone gloves while doing dishes to keep your hands soft and moisturized.
When to See a Dermatologist for Winter Skin Issues
Most people can manage dry skin in winter with home care. But if your symptoms don’t improve or get worse, talk to a dermatologist or a skincare professional. They can suggest stronger treatments and check for some other underlying skin conditions.
Hydrate Dry Skin with Aloe Vera
It’s common to experience dryness and skin peeling in winter, especially on your hands, face, or feet. The key is to moisturize regularly and be gentle with your skin.
To protect your skin during the colder months, avoid long, hot showers, which can strip natural oils. Opt for soft, gentle fabrics and avoid harsh skincare products that can cause further irritation.
If you're looking for products with gentle, natural ingredients to moisturize your skin, consider Miracle of Aloe's hydrating and moisturizing aloe vera products. Their natural formulas are designed to deeply nourish, moisturize, and soothe dry skin.
FAQs
What causes dry skin during winter?
Dry skin in winter is mainly caused by low humidity levels in the air, both outdoors due to cold temperatures and indoors from central heating. In addition, long hot showers and harsh soaps can also strip your skin's natural protective oils, worsening dryness.
How to prevent skin dryness in cold weather?
To prevent dryness, moisturize regularly with thick creams, take shorter, lukewarm showers, use a humidifier indoors, and drink plenty of water. Also, protect your skin from wind and cold with clothing like gloves and scarves, and use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers.
How often should you moisturize in winter?
In winter, it's generally recommended to moisturize in the morning and before bed. It's also important to apply moisturizer immediately after showering or washing your hands to lock in moisture while your skin is still damp. Reapply more often if your skin feels tight or dry throughout the day.
Sources
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/winter-dry-skin#treatment
- Winter Skin Care Tips for Preventing Dry, Cracking Skin
- https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/dec/8-tips-for-preventing-dry-skin-in-the-winter/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-to-do-about-dry-skin-in-winter
- https://www.healthline.com/health/winter-dry-skin
- https://gshospitals.in/dry-skin-in-winter-causes-risk-factors-and-prevention.php
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154322001934
- https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/struggling-with-dry-skin-this-winter-check-out-these-tips-to-keep-skin-moisturized