How to keep skin moisturized in winter

Why does winter dry out your skin?

Cold outdoor air and indoor heating lower humidity, making your skin lose moisture. Flaking, tightness, itching and cracks are common signs of dryness. Winter conditions can also disrupt your skin barrier, the protective outer layer that helps hold moisture in, especially if you have eczema or psoriasis.34

Which moisturizer should you use?

If your usual light lotion leaves skin dry, switch to a richer cream or balm for your face and a cream or ointment for your body. Watery textures can dry too quickly to offer much relief; winter is not impressed by a lotion's ability to disappear. Choose fragrance free products, because added fragrance can irritate skin. Useful ingredients include ceramides, cholesterol, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and petrolatum. Ceramides and cholesterol help restore the moisture barrier, while hyaluronic acid moisturizes rather than exfoliates.1345

How to wash and moisturize

1. 1Keep baths and showers lukewarm and limit them to five to ten minutes. Hot water removes protective oils.
2. 2Use a gentle, moisturizing facial cleanser and a creamy, fragrance free body cleanser. Avoid alcohol containing products and scrubbing.
3. 3Pat your skin with a towel rather than rubbing. Leave it slightly damp, then apply moisturizer within about three minutes to trap that water.
4. 4Reapply moisturizer during the day whenever skin feels dry. Include your hands, feet, arms and lower legs, where dryness commonly develops.
5. 5In the morning, apply sunscreen over moisturizer on exposed skin. Choose broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, water resistance and SPF 30 or higher.

Protect your hands and exposed skin

Apply a thicker moisturizer before going outside, and carry a small container for reapplication. A scarf, hat and gloves help shield skin from cold air and wind. Wear protective gloves for washing dishes or handling cleaners, too. For very dry hands, apply petroleum jelly and wear cloth gloves while sleeping.1

Make your home less drying

Run a humidifier in your bedroom in the evening and aim for indoor humidity between 30% and 50%. Indoor heating removes moisture from the air, so your moisturizer is otherwise working against the central heating department. Use laundry detergent without fragrance or dyes, avoid scented fabric softener and wear soft clothing rather than rough wool against dry skin.125

What if you use retinol or acne treatments?

Reduce the frequency or strength of cosmetic retinol, glycolic acid or salicylic acid if your winter routine becomes drying. Do not exfoliate simply because you see flakes; exfoliation can remove more moisture and oils. Acne treatments, including benzoyl peroxide, prescription retinoids and isotretinoin, can dry and irritate skin. Daily moisturizer helps skin tolerate these medicines. For acne prone skin, look for an oil free or noncomedogenic moisturizer, meaning one unlikely to clog pores.146

When does winter dryness need medical help?

For itching, use moisturizer and a cool, damp towel, and pat rather than scratch. Contact a doctor if dryness or itching keeps you awake, scratching causes open sores, or home care does not help. Also seek care for severe or widespread itching, or a worrying new rash or swelling. If itching develops during pregnancy, contact your doctor or midwife rather than assuming winter dryness is the cause.27