How To Prevent Dry Skin This Winter

It’s winter! ‘Tis the season for … well, itchy, flaky and irritated dry skin.

What can you do to be more comfortable in your own skin as the months get colder? Dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD, has some ideas.

Why is your skin drier in winter?

Blame the weather. Colder weather lowers the humidity outdoors to naturally cause your skin to lose water. Inside, it’s a similar problem, as running the heat to stay warm and cozy sucks a lot of moisture out of that air.

“Environmental humidity is low during the winter months,” says Dr. Piliang, “and that can lead to dry skin.”

Plus, your skin produces fewer natural oils in colder weather. These oils are essential for maintaining your skin's protective barrier and locking in moisture. A dip in that makes your skin more prone to dryness and irritation.

Less sunlight over winter can also contribute to skin-related issues, as it lowers your body’s production of vitamin D to boost skin health.

“Put it all together and it’s easy to see how dry skin becomes an issue,” Dr. Piliang adds.

Ways to limit dry skin in winter

Dry skin may be more likely over winter, but that doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. Taking the following steps can help keep your skin feeling fine when the weather takes a turn to the frosty side.

Take shorter, cooler showers

A long, hot shower feels great when it’s chilly outside — but it’s not the best for your skin.

“The heat in the water dries the oils out of your skin,” explains Dr. Piliang. “The warmer the water you use, the drier your skin’s going to be.”

Scrubbing too much and staying under the water too long can also strip protective oils from your skin.

Given all of that, Dr. Piliang recommends limiting showers to between five and 10 minutes in lukewarm water to protect your skin’s natural barriers. It’s OK to skip a day of showering, too, if you haven’t gotten sweaty or dirty.

Moisturize after showering

Once you get out of that quick shower and towel off, applying a moisturizer can help keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

“The function of most moisturizers is to trap moisture in your skin,” says Dr. Piliang. “When your skin is damp after a shower, applying moisturizer helps lock that in. The timing is important.”

Choose fragrance-free moisturizers

When shopping for moisturizers and skin creams, Dr. Piliang offers this rule of thumb: The better they smell, the more irritating they may be for your skin.

“Products with added fragrance can lead to micro-irritations,” she says. “All of those little irritations accumulate, and, over time, that eventually could cause your skin to be dry, itchy and cracked.”

So, try to lean toward unscented moisturizing products, like the old standby petroleum jelly (Vaseline®).

Don’t exfoliate too much

Avoid the temptation to exfoliate whenever you see dry and flaky skin. “Exfoliating is super potent,” says Dr. Piliang. “It strips moisture or oils out of your skin, which can make it feel itchier and drier.”

Exfoliate once or twice a week max, she recommends.

Give your hands some TLC

Your hands take a beating while serving on the front line of life — and your skin can show it. “Moisturize your hands as much as you can to keep them from getting too dry,” recommends Dr. Piliang.

Try to use moisturizers that include dimethicone, a silicone-based product that’s great for skin dryness.

In addition, Dr. Piliang suggests wearing gloves when:

• Out in cold weather, to protect your hands from the frigid, dry air
• Doing tasks where your hands get wet (like washing dishes)
• Working with cleaners or chemical-based products

Be careful with certain skin care ingredients

Skin care products you use on a routine basis can contribute to dry skin in winter.

Ingredients in anti-aging products, for instance, may be too drying for daily use in the winter. “They may work well for you most of the year, but you might want to scale back at certain times,” says Dr. Piliang.

Acne medications may also be drying to your skin, especially if they contain skin-irritating ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Again, avoiding daily use may help dry skin.

Drink more water

Drinking enough water can play a role in keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized. The reason? When you’re dehydrated, your body conserves water by pulling it away from less critical areas, like your skin.

Check your laundry detergent

Want to clean up issues that contribute to dry skin? Laundry day might be a place to start.

Fragrances, dyes and chemicals in laundry soap have the potential to irritate skin. “You’re in contact with clothes 24/7,” notes Dr. Piliang. “So, this is something that you’re experiencing all day long.”

You can limit issues by using hypoallergenic laundry detergents that are free of added fragrances and dyes.

Run a humidifier at home

Dry air is … well, drying — and the winter months expose you to a lot of dry air.

Running a humidifier in your home can help boost moisture in the air around you. Your bedroom is an ideal place, given the number of hours you spend there sleeping. Aim to keep your in-home humidity level between 30% and 50%.

Final thoughts

While dry skin can make an uncomfortable appearance at any time of the year, it’s more common during winter. Taking a few proactive steps can help keep your skin moisturized and healthy even when the temperature drops.

“Prevention is always the best approach,” says Dr. Piliang. “Don’t wait until your skin is dry and cracked to do something. Start early with your skin care routine and you may be able to avoid issues.”