Beauty expert Cora Gold wrote today’s post detailing how to soothe your dry skin during the winter. Enjoy, darlings!

The change in season means your body faces new threats, like dry skin from harsh outdoor winds and arid indoor heating systems, making your skin itchy and uncomfortable — even in warmer climates. How can you find relief?

Fortunately, the modern world provides solutions. The trick is knowing how to use them if you want effective relief. Here’s how to soothe dry skin during the winter.

For more expert tips on how to care for your skin, read How to Care for Your Aging Skin Without Covering it Up,  How to Care for Menopausal Skin, and 7 Surprising Factors That May Be Irritating Your Skin.

Soothe Dry Skin During Winter: Keep Moisturizer Readily Available

Your first order of business is to arm yourself. Prep for winter by stashing lotion in every conceivable place you might need it, such as:

• Purses, backpacks or briefcases
• Work desks
• Workplace washrooms
• Car’s glove compartments or center consoles
• Kitchen and bathroom sinks
• Luggage (See Honey’s winter vacation ideas)

Keeping creams as well as lotions handy is especially beneficial, particularly for areas prone to dry hands.

Honey’s Pick: I adore this lotion, the feel is incredible and I keep it absolutely everywhere.

Soothing dry, winter skin is often a matter of moisturizing, and the main reason people don’t do so more frequently is that lotion bottles are just never around when you need them. Prevent this catastrophe. Creams or cream-based moisturizers are especially effective in winter; using a heavier cream can help protect and repair dry, chapped skin. Dry hands are a common winter problem, and applying a rich cream after washing can help prevent and treat them.

Why Moisturizing Matters in Winter

As the temperature drops and the cold winter air settles in, your skin faces new challenges. During the winter months, dry skin and itchy skin become common complaints, thanks to the harsh environment. Cold air, combined with central heating and space heaters indoors, strips your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dehydrated and more prone to skin problems like eczema and atopic dermatitis. When your skin loses moisture, it can quickly become irritated, inflamed, and even cracked.

Moisturizing is your best defense against these winter woes. By applying moisturizer immediately after bathing or showering, you help lock in precious moisture and support your skin’s natural barrier. This not only soothes existing dryness but also helps prevent water loss and reduces inflammation. Using a humidifier at home can further protect your skin by adding moisture back into the dry air created by heating systems. With a little extra care, you can keep your skin comfortable, healthy, and resilient all winter long.

What Are the Most Moisturizing Ingredients for Soothing Dry Winter Skin? 

Winter can lead to dehydrated skin, making it more prone to dryness, cracking, and irritation. Choosing the right skin care products is essential for maintaining hydration and protecting your skin during the colder months.

It also matters what’s in the bottle. The following ingredients have proven their effectiveness in soothing dry winter skin, although you may need to experiment to find the right ones for your unique complexion:

• Hyaluronic acid: This substance occurs naturally in your skin and fascia and acts as a humectant, helping tissues hold onto water.
• Glycerin: Another humectant found in many facial and hand moisturizing products.
• Shea butter: This substance is occlusive, which means it forms a protective barrier.
• Ceramides: Also create your skin’s barrier.
• Squalane: A synthetic version of the natural sebaceous fluids found in human skin.
• Petroleum jelly: Forms a strong protective barrier that’s helpful for skin so dry that it cracks.
• Lactic acid: A gentle exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells and allows moisturizers to penetrate more effectively, making it suitable for sensitive or dry winter skin.

Exfoliating away dead skin cells with gentle ingredients like lactic acid can help your moisturizer work better and improve the absorption of other skin care products.

These ingredients work together to help maintain the water content of the epidermis, which is crucial for preventing dryness and supporting overall skin health during winter.

Choosing the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin Type

Finding the perfect moisturizer for your skin type is key to keeping dry skin at bay, especially during winter. If you have sensitive skin, opt for fragrance-free and hypoallergenic moisturizers to avoid irritation. For those with extremely dry skin, look for products containing hyaluronic acid, mineral oil, or petroleum jelly—these ingredients are excellent at locking in moisture and soothing parched skin.

If you struggle with eczema or atopic dermatitis, it’s important to steer clear of harsh soaps, deodorant soaps, and fabric softeners, as these can strip away your skin’s natural oils and worsen dryness. Instead, choose gentle cleansers and always apply lip balm or moisturizer immediately after washing to prevent water loss. Remember, hot water and hot showers can remove oil from your skin and increase irritation, so use lukewarm water to help reduce inflammation and keep your skin’s moisture intact. By selecting the right products and being mindful of your routine, you can protect your skin from winter’s drying effects.

Oil Up After Getting Wet 

You’re more likely to get sick in winter because cold weather thins your mucus, your body’s first line of defense against germs. Proper hand washing prevents infectious disease transmission by slowing the spread of bacteria and viruses, but it leaves your skin dry.

That’s why one of your secret stashes of lotions belongs beneath the sinks in your home bathroom and workplace restroom. Keep a bottle next to the soap to remind you to moisturize after scrubbing your paws for 20 seconds and drying them. Carrying a bottle in your backpack provides soft hands on the go. Hands are one of the most affected areas during winter and require extra attention to prevent dryness. When going outside in cold weather, wear gloves to protect your hands from becoming dry and chapped.

Pro-tip: Repurpose an empty clip-on hand sanitizer bottle into a lotion container. Clip one of each onto your backpack or purse to more easily sanitize and moisturize while traveling.

Applying Moisturizer for Maximum Benefit

To get the most out of your moisturizer, timing and technique matter. Always apply moisturizer immediately after bathing or showering, while your skin is still slightly damp—this helps trap moisture and prevent water loss. Use a generous amount and gently massage it into your skin, focusing on areas that tend to get especially dry.

Avoid hot baths and showers, as they can strip away your skin’s natural oils and worsen dry skin. Instead, opt for warm water to help reduce inflammation and keep your skin comfortable. Make moisturizing a regular part of your winter skin care routine, reapplying as needed throughout the day, especially after washing your hands or face.

Home remedies like applying baby oil or a rich lotion after showering can also help keep your skin soft and supple. Don’t forget to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water—healthy skin starts from within, and proper hydration can help reduce the appearance of dry skin and fine lines. With these simple steps, you can maintain smooth, healthy skin all winter long.

Protect Your Skin From the Elements 

Protecting your skin from the elements means using physical barriers, such as gloves and scarves. You want to safeguard your face, too. Lips are particularly vulnerable to dryness and should be protected with a moisturizing lip balm. Wearing glasses instead of contacts cuts some of the cold winds that can make your eyes water, contributing to moisture loss in the delicate under-eye area.

When choosing clothing and accessories, avoid wool items that can irritate the skin and cause itchiness, especially for those with sensitive skin. Certain materials can irritate the skin and lead to itch, so opt for softer, hypoallergenic fabrics.

Even though it might be cold outside, you still need your sunscreen. Daily exposure to UV rays increases your risk of premature wrinkles and cancer. Plus, most sunscreens contain added moisturizing ingredients that benefit dry, winter skin.

Vitamin C serums also protect your complexion from free radicals that occur from daily environmental exposure. Although using them isn’t a substitute for sunscreen, you might find adding one into your morning routine prevents excess dryness in winter.

You can also prevent further irritation by investing in gentle bedding and pillowcases. Satin or hypoallergenic pillowcases and sheets can prevent germs or allergens from coming into contact with your skin while you sleep. Cotton or other materials can rub harshly against your skin, causing dry patches to inflame more. Be sure to wash your bedding frequently, as well.

Up Your Nutrition Game

Healthy skin begins from the inside out. Your body needs the right building blocks to keep all your cells healthy, including those comprising your complexion. In particular, add more foods rich in Vitamin E and healthy fats, including:

• Fatty fish
• Nuts, especially almonds
• Seeds, especially flax and chia
• Eggs
• Deep, leafy greens
• Wheat germ oil
• Pumpkin
• Red bell peppers

It’s also important to know what to avoid. Yes, ‘tis the season to overindulge, but too much alcohol dehydrates your skin. Furthermore, ultra-processed foods high in artificial additives, sugar and bleached flour stress your body, which makes your skin look less healthy.

In addition to nutrition and hydration, remember that low humidity levels during winter—both outdoors and indoors—can cause your skin to lose moisture and become dry. Using humidifiers to maintain optimal indoor humidity can help prevent your skin from becoming dehydrated during the colder months.

To Avoid Dry Skin, Know What to Avoid

You already know you should avoid alcohol and unhealthy foods to prevent dry winter skin. However, you should also think twice about the following habits that can dehydrate you:

• Sleeping in makeup: Doing so allows oils to build up on your skin, prompting breakouts. That leads you to use products that combat acne but can leave you drier. It’s easier to simply wash up before bed — make it part of your daily self-care routine. Also, avoid using irritating skin care products, especially those with harsh ingredients or fragrances, as they can worsen dryness and discomfort.
• Washing too hot: That said, taking overly hot showers or using too-warm water to wash your face strips it of oils. It may ramp up production to compensate, promoting breakouts. Use lukewarm or warm water rather than hot water to avoid stripping your skin’s natural oils. Keep temperatures moderate.
• Getting dehydrated: You might not feel as thirsty in winter, but keep that water bottle with you. When you get dehydrated, so does your skin.
• Smoking: Smoking hurts your internal health while bathing your face in a bath of nasty free radicals. Ick. Consider free resources to help you quit.
• Burning the midnight oil: Stress and a lack of sleep can dry your skin. Your body naturally craves more rest in winter — give it what it wants as much as possible. Dial back on your work obligations and embrace hygge instead.

If your dry skin persists despite these measures, consider seeking professional treatment from a dermatologist.

Soothe Winter-Dry Skin

The change in season can mean your skincare routine also shifts. It’s more common to get dry skin in winter, but knowing the causes and taking quick action to correct it can keep you comfortable and moisturized. Follow the tips above to soothe dry winter skin and keep your face and hands touchably soft no matter how low temperatures dip.

Have you found any products or tips that help you in the winter with your dry skin? Please share in the comments. 

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Author bio: Cora Gold is a skincare and beauty writer, as well as the editor at women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest.