As temperatures drop and the air becomes crisp, many people notice their skin starting to feel different—tight, itchy, flaky, or more sensitive than usual. Winter is one of the toughest seasons for our skin, and without the right care, dryness can quickly turn into irritation, inflammation, and worsening of chronic skin conditions. The good news? A strategic winter skincare routine can protect your barrier, keep your complexion healthy, and even prevent premature aging.

Why Skin Gets Dry in the Winter

1. Low Humidity Levels

Cold air naturally holds less moisture. Indoor heating makes things even drier, pulling hydration out of your skin and weakening your skin barrier.

2. Hot Showers

A long, hot shower sounds amazing after being out in the cold, but hot water strips away your skin’s natural oils, making dryness and irritation worse.

3. Compromised Skin Barrier

When skin loses moisture, its barrier becomes weaker. This can lead to redness, cracking, increased sensitivity, and flare-ups of eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.

Signs Your Skin Needs Extra Winter Care

• Tightness after cleansing
  
  
• Flakiness or rough patches
  
  
• Increased redness or sensitivity
  
  
• Cracks around the nose or lips
  
  
• Makeup sitting unevenly or looking patchy
  
  
• Itchiness, especially on arms and legs
  
  

How to Protect and Treat Dry Winter Skin

1. Switch to a Gentle, Hydrating Cleanser

Foaming or acne-focused cleansers may be too harsh in the winter. Opt for a gentle, hydrating formula that cleans without stripping your moisture barrier.

Great cleanser options we carry:

• EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser
  
  
• Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

2. Use a Richer Moisturizer

Look for ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and glycerin. These humectants and barrier-repair ingredients help lock in hydration and keep the skin resilient against harsh weather.

Excellent moisturizers for winter dryness:

• SENTÉ Dermal Repair Ultra-Nourish
  
  
• SENTÉ Dermal Repair Cream
  
  
• Vanicream Moisturizing Cream

3. Add a Hydrating Serum

Serums with hyaluronic acid, peptides, or niacinamide layer well under moisturizer and provide an extra hydration boost.

Hydrating serums we offer:

• SENTÉ Hydrate+ Serum
  
  
  

4. Don’t Skip SPF

Even in winter, UV rays are present and can damage your skin barrier. Daily sunscreen helps prevent dryness, hyperpigmentation, and premature aging.

Winter-friendly sunscreens we carry:

• EltaMD UV Restore (Tinted & Untinted)
  
  
• EltaMD UV Skin Recovery (Green Tinted)
  
  

5. Consider Using a Humidifier

Adding moisture back into dry indoor air helps keep your skin hydrated from the outside in.

6. Shorten Shower Time & Lower the Heat

Warm—not hot—showers protect your natural oils and reduce irritation.

7. Protect Your Lips and Hands

These areas often suffer the most in winter:

• Use a thick, ointment-based balm for lips
  
  
• Apply hand cream after washing
  
  
• Wear gloves in cold or windy weather
  
  

Products we recommend:

• Revision Youthful Lip and Tinted Youthful Lip
  
  
• EltaMD Hand Cream
  
  
• Revision Lumiquin Hand Treatment 

When to See a Dermatologist

If dryness turns into eczema, cracking, redness, or painful irritation, a dermatologist can help identify the cause and prescribe effective treatments—topicals, barrier repair creams, or lifestyle changes tailored to your skin type.

Persistent dryness is not something you “just have to live with.” With the right care, winter skin can be healthy, hydrated, and comfortable.