Do cold, heating, and the like mean dry skin in winter?

The temperatures are dropping, the first snowflakes are falling, and you're snuggling into your thickest sweaters. There's a relatively high chance that dry skin in winter is also an issue for you. If you want to do something about it or be prepared for the cold season, then find out more here! We'll cover possible causes, solutions, and products you should definitely avoid.

Causes of dry skin in winter

First, we want to emphasize that in this article, we are truly only addressing the phenomenon that occurs during the months of November to March. If you struggle with it all year round, then read our article on dry facial skin. Or learn about the generally known skin types in our blog.

Photo: © Alexander Grey, License: Creative Commons CC0 1.0, Source: unsplash.com

Since we are dealing with dry skin in winter here, it is already obvious that there must be certain causes that occur only during this season. After all, your epidermis is not irritated in this way during the other months. So what could be the reason?

Possible Cause	Explanation
Heated air	is particularly dry deprives the skin of moisture
Low temperatures	Blood vessels contract to retain body heat This reduces blood flow, and the skin receives less oxygen and nutrients Metabolism and cell renewal slow down The repair mechanism is limited Sebaceous glands stop producing fat below 8 °C
Makeup	Ingredients can exacerbate skin dehydration
Diet	Deficiencies due to insufficient fluid intake, lack of healthy fats, and nutrient deficiencies
Clothing	If it's too tight, you sweat more, and your body loses even more fluid

Photo: © Jp Valery, License: Creative Commons CC0 1.0, Source: unsplash.com

As you can see, many things can lead to dryness, itching, and tightness. But don't give up right away. Of course, there are tips and tricks to reduce or even avoid all of this. More on that later. First, we want to warn you that some supposedly good ideas can actually be counterproductive. We'll tell you what those are now.

Long baths: You're unlikely to solve your problem this way

Even though we tend to feel particularly cold in the months from November to March, showering or bathing can actually be more harmful than beneficial. This is because we turn up the hot water particularly high to get back to a comfortable temperature. However, experts recommend that you keep it short and not too hot. Why is that? Both soap and excessively hot water attack your skin's protective barrier. This can lead to irritation and an itchy feeling much more quickly. Therefore, use primarily refatting bath oils so that a fine film can form on your skin. This prevents your natural fat layer from dissolving and can support cell renewal.

Woman lying in bathtub with lots of foam

Photo: © Matheus Frade, License: Creative Commons CC0 1.0, Source: unsplash.com

By the way: Our advice also applies to dishwashing. You can't just skip that in the cold months. Therefore, we advise you to wear rubber gloves to avoid dry skin in winter. When washing your hands normally, as with bathing, you should also use washing oils or pH-neutral soaps.

How to prevent dry skin in winter

It's like many things: If you're well prepared, you're already halfway there. This also applies to preventing dry skin. There are various things you can change or introduce into your daily life. First, we'll introduce you to the relevant external and then internal factors to consider.

Photo: Provided by Purito

Nourishing ingredients in winter

Care is a topic you shouldn't lose sight of, especially in the cold and cool months. Therefore, choose products that rehydrate your skin particularly well. Pay attention to the ingredients to ensure you get the effect you desire. Certain substances react with the so-called Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs). These can bind water and thus retain moisture on the epidermis. To maintain NMFs, the following helps:

Hyaluronic acid: for moisture and elasticity, stimulates the production of the body's own polysaccharides, allowing the skin to retain more water
Glycerin: binds moisture
Ceramides: holds keratinocytes together to keep the skin barrier intact
Squalane: protects against dehydration
Shea butter: provides many fatty acids, which are also found in the body's own protective film, and also important vitamins and minerals
Urea: provides moisture, loosens calluses, and makes them smoother

Jar of Klairs cream on green marble stone

Photo: Provided by klairs

Also, make sure you are gentle to your skin. This means that during this time, you might want to forego particularly aggressive peelings and opt for milder ones, such as products with snail slime. In addition, an appropriate mask can also help you replenish certain nutrients. By the way: If moisture alone is not enough, we recommend using products with a higher fat content, such as panthenol, allantoin, or vitamin E. If none of this helps, please consult a dermatologist for medical advice.

Are you looking for the right creams and such for dry skin? Then check out our online shop!

Effects of nutrition

We already mentioned above that an unbalanced diet can also cause dry skin in winter. Therefore, we'll conclude with a few tips on which nutrient-rich ingredients you can incorporate into your meals to support your epidermis.

Carotenoids: e.g., in carrots or tomatoes
Polyphenols: in green tea
Flavonoids: in apples, kale
Vitamin A: pumpkins, spinach
Vitamin B: lamb's lettuce, kale
Vitamin C: broccoli, lemon
Vitamin E: flaxseed, sweet potatoes

Of course, it is also important that you drink enough. Opt for water or unsweetened herbal tea. Coffee, energy drinks, or other sodas do not help your skin stay sufficiently hydrated. This is mainly because the sugar they contain raises blood sugar, meaning your body needs more water to compensate.

Conclusion on dry skin in winter

Dry skin in winter does not have to be a permanent condition. Especially if you have no problems with itchy or irritated areas during the rest of the year, you can definitely do something about it during this time. Whether through an adjusted diet or suitable products – for example, for eye care. If you're still not sure how best to proceed, feel free to write to us at hello@lovemycosmetic.de. We'll be happy to advise you!