Article Overview
- Colder temperatures, drier air, and a compromised skin barrier can lead to dry skin, which is usually caused by dehydration when water evaporates from the skin, and the skin lacks adequate moisture.
- Harsh winter weather, both outdoors and indoors, can strip the skin of its natural moisturizing oils and damage the skin barrier, resulting in dry and uncomfortable skin.
- Moisturizers with humectants like hyaluronic acid, and glycerin can attract water to the skin.
- Emollients derived from plant-based sources can replenish the natural oils that dry winter skin lacks, maintaining the skin's moisture balance and help seal it in.
- Occlusive ingredients like petrolatum can create a physical barrier on the skin's surface, sealing in moisture and repairing extremely dry or cracked skin.
Dry skin is a skin type, and if you have it your daily routine is likely comprised of hydrating skincare products year-round—but all types of skin can experience heightened signs of dryness during the wintertime. Unlike dry skin that doesn’t produce enough natural oils, weather-induced dry skin in winter is usually due to dehydration, which occurs when moisture evaporates from the skin.
What Causes Dry Skin During Winter
Seasonal changes can have an impact on the skin, and harsh winter weather can be particularly challenging. Cold air outside lacks humidity and blustery winds can strip the skin of its natural moisturizing oils, leading to chapped skin that may become uncomfortable and inflamed.
Indoors, artificial heat creates a dry environment that can cause the skin to lose moisture as well. And if you take hot showers or baths to warm up, this extra heat depletes skin lipids and contributes to “winter skin.”
The combination of these outdoor and indoor conditions impacts the skin barrier, which is a main cause of dry skin in winter. You can think of a healthy skin barrier as a brick wall, where the skin cells are the bricks and lipids (including ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids) hold everything together. When functioning optimally, the skin’s barrier creates a tight seal that helps keep moisture within the skin while preventing environmental aggressors like irritants from entering. Whether due to winter environmental conditions, over-exfoliating, or a professional treatment, a compromised skin barrier can lack essential lipids, which allows moisture to escape.
Signs of Dry Skin in Winter
The skin can experience a variety of side effects when cold weather damages the barrier. Flaking and rough patches are among the most common, and skin on the entire body can be affected. This can also lead to a dull complexion and interfere with makeup application. If dry winter skin goes untreated, painful cracks can develop, especially on the lips, hands, and heels.
Other signs of winter skin can include redness, which is more likely in those with lighter skin tones. Skin-barrier damage may also lead to itching and stinging—and make already-sensitive skin more reactive and uncomfortable.
How to Keep Skin Hydrated in Winter
The good news is, it’s rather easy to improve the symptoms of “winter skin” with an effective hydrating skincare routine. Moisturizers are key, since these products supplement the skin with moisture while helping to seal it in. There are three main types of ingredients to look for in a moisturizer for dry skin in winter, and many effective moisturizers are formulated with a combination of them.
Humectants: These ingredients help attract moisture to the skin and include hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin.
Emollients: The role of these ingredients is to replenish the natural oils that dry winter skin lacks. Oils derived from sunflower seeds, grape seeds, and other plant-based sources are effective for maintaining the skin’s moisture balance during cold winter months by filling gaps in the skin’s barrier.
Occlusives: When the skin barrier is compromised, occlusive ingredients such as petrolatum create a physical barrier on the surface of the skin to seal in moisture. Moisturizers that are highly occlusive are essential for repairing extremely dry or cracked skin.
SkinCeuticals Products that Keep Skin Hydrated in Winter
Improving dry skin during winter can be as simple as incorporating more hydration into your skincare routine with cleansers, serums, and moisturizers. If you currently use a gel or foaming cleanser, a creamy formula such as our Gentle Cleanser or Replenishing Cleanser can help soothe and comfort the skin.
Gentle exfoliation can also help improve dry skin in winter, since a buildup of dead cells can limit the skin’s absorption of hydrating ingredients. Retexturing Activator is an effective skincare solution for winter skin because it provides both exfoliating and hydrating benefits while reinforcing the skin barrier—and it’s suitable for sensitive skin. Another SkinCeuticals option is Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight, which promotes cell turnover with a 10% glycolic acid value and features a triple-action soothing complex of jojoba and sunflower seed oils to provide lightweight yet effective occlusive benefits to lock in hydration. This nighttime treatment also helps improve visible signs of aging, discoloration, and a lackluster skin appearance.
SkinCeuticals offers several moisturizing options for dry winter skin. Hydrating B5 Gel is a serum that provides an intense surge of moisture that can be incorporated into any skincare routine. With a high concentration of hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, it helps bind moisture to the skin without clogging pores.
For intense hydration and anti-aging benefits, Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 features a patented ratio of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to replenish these essential components of the skin’s barrier, visibly improve radiance and smoothness, and support the skin’s natural self-repair.
When an occlusive moisturizer is in order to repair extremely dry or compromised skin, Hydra Balm creates a protective layer that locks in moisture while soothing sensitive or itchy skin.
To help protect the skin barrier and minimize dry skin in winter, it’s especially important to make a broad-spectrum sunscreen part of your morning skincare routine. UV rays can impair skin-barrier function, even while driving or walking to and from your car. Remember, the sun reflects off of snow and water, which makes sunscreen imperative regardless of the season.
Build a Winter Skincare Routine
Combatting dry skin in winter starts with a targeted skincare routine that focuses on gentle cleansing, effective hydration, and barrier protection.
Step 1: Cleanse with a Gentle, Creamy Formula
Product: Gentle Cleanser or Replenishing Cleanser
Swap foaming or gel cleansers for a richer formula that nourishes while it cleanses. This SkinCeuticals cleanser is formulated to cleanse dry, sensitive skin without stripping away natural oils, making it ideal for winter.
Step 2: Exfoliate Gently to Enhance Absorption
Product: Retexturing Activator or Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight
Exfoliation removes buildup of dead skin cells that can block moisture absorption. Retexturing Activator offers hydration and gentle exfoliation, making it suitable for daily use, even on sensitive skin. For a more intensive overnight treatment, Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight encourages cell turnover and improves tone and texture with added hydration-locking oils.
Step 3: Replenish Hydration with HA Serum
Product: Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan
Apply a hydrating serum to deliver moisture deep into the skin. Formulated with 1.3% pure hyaluronic acid, 12% Proxylane™, and post-biotic ferment, HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan boosts skin’s own HA levels by 30%, delivering 24-hour hydration and long-term improvements in firmness and elasticity.
Step 4: Moisturize and Strengthen the Skin Barrier
Product: Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
This rich, anti-aging moisturizer restores essential skin lipids like ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to reinforce the skin barrier, improve smoothness, and enhance skin's resilience against dry winter conditions.
Step 5: Lock in Moisture with an Occlusive (As Needed)
Product: Hydra Balm
For very dry or compromised skin, especially around the nose, lips, or cheeks, apply Hydra Balm. It creates a protective barrier to prevent moisture loss and soothe irritation or itchiness.
Step 6: Protect with Daily Sunscreen
Product: Any SkinCeuticals Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
Even in winter, UV exposure can weaken the skin barrier and worsen dryness. A broad-spectrum sunscreen shields against UV rays and environmental aggressors, making it essential for daily protection, even on cloudy or snowy days.
In-Office Skin Treatments to Improve Hydration in Winter
Winter’s cold air and indoor heating can leave skin feeling dehydrated, tight, and lacking radiance. Professional treatments can offer a powerful boost of hydration while helping to restore skin’s natural radiance during the driest months of the year.
HydraFacial®
HydraFacial® is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and infuses the skin with hydrating serums. The multi-step process removes impurities while replenishing moisture, leaving skin plump and refreshed. It’s ideal for winter because it combats dullness and dryness without irritation, making it suitable even for sensitive skin.
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy delivers low-level wavelengths of light that penetrate deep into the skin to encourage collagen production and support natural healing. It helps reduce inflammation, improve elasticity, and enhance the skin’s ability to stay hydrated, making it especially beneficial in the dry winter months. Gentle and non-invasive, this treatment is safe for all skin types and requires no downtime.
Find more professional treatment options for a variety of skin concerns and skin types to try year-round.
Lifestyle Tips for Improving Winter Skin
A skincare routine that provides hydration and protection from the elements is the ideal first step for improving dry skin during winter. However, a few simple lifestyle adjustments can help counteract the effects of winter weather and support the skin barrier as well.
- Stay hydrated: When your environment lacks humidity, it’s important to drink plenty of water to keep your body and skin hydrated.
- Use a humidifier: Infusing extra moisture into the air in spaces you spend a lot of time in (such as your bedroom or office) can help enhance the skin’s hydration levels.
To discover the ideal skincare routine for dry skin in winter that meets your skin’s hydration needs and addresses your primary concerns, use our online Routine Finder, visit one of our SkinCeuticals SkinLab locations, or schedule an appointment with a SkinCeuticals Skincare Professional for a one-on-one consultation.
Next: How to Choose the Moisturizer for Your Skin Type
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About Gretchen Wobensmith
Gretchen Wobensmith is a licensed aesthetician with 27 years of experience. She has been training professionally for large global brands for the last 20 years. Gretchen brings her skill set of having a deep understanding of skin histology and ingredient technology to the SkinCeuticals Global Education Team as their Product Lead. Gretchen shares her passion for mentoring skin care professionals, to elevate their knowledge and skill set in the medical skin care industry.
