Dry Winter Skin

Dry skin is always a concern during the winter season. Cold, wind or the combination of cold weather outdoors and warmer temperatures indoors can have a negative impact on your skin. Discover how to treat dry skin with home remedies and how to prevent dryness and flakiness following a specific skincare routine.

Dry skin is a common skin condition which tends to happen more often during the winter season. It occurs when the skin does not retain sufficient moisture. Fortunately, by making some changes to your skincare routine, you can prevent dry skin from appearing.

Why does your skin get drier in winter?

Winter is particularly rough for your skin and for your exposed body areas like the face and hands. Because of environmental factors and bad skincare habits, your skin can become drier. This is the case with dry skin around the nose, for example. Here are the most well-known causes that can really dry out the skin.

“Due to the drop in temperature and lack of humidity, our skin can have a difficult time retaining moisture, leading to itchy, dry skin and cracked lips” explained the American Academy of Dermatology in a study published on cold weather and the skin: https://www.aad.org/news/cold-weather-and-your-skin

Indeed, the combination of cold, wind and high changes of temperatures between indoors and outdoors can have a negative impact on the skin. The drop in temperature and humidity causes the skin to dry.

Hot and long showers in winter can be tempting, but they strip natural oils from the skin causing it to lose moisture. The same phenomenon happens with swimming in chlorinated pools or rubbing skin with harsh towels or sponges.

Some soaps, shampoos, and detergents are also known to remove natural oils from the skin and cause dryness. It is mainly the case for alcohol-based and fragrant products, but fabrics like wool can be responsible for dryness on the skin. Try to avoid any abrasive materials to limit physical irritation.

If you follow a bad skin care routine, the mistakes you reproduce every day on your skin may be responsible for a major part of your dryness problems. Here is a list of the most common mistakes you should avoid:

Over-exfoliating or using harsh scrubs

Using cleansing products with alcohol or fragrance

Skipping moisturizer after washing

Not applying sunscreen in winter

Symptoms and complications of dry winter skin

Dryness that results from damage to the skin barrier during winter can lead to different symptoms and complications.

Symptoms can vary with overall health, age, time spent outdoors, and geographical location. The most common symptoms of dry skin include:

Rough texture and tightness

Peeling, flaking, or scaling

Itching or redness

Ashy or gray appearance

Fine lines or deep cracks that may bleed

The symptoms of dry skin can become more severe and turn into skin infections or eczema flare-ups due to cracked skin. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may experience increased sensitivity and inflammation of the skin.

How to protect and take care dry skin in winter?

To protect and treat dry skin, there are a couple of effective home remedies and expert approved tips that you can try.

If your skin is dry, try to adjust your skincare routine by following the next tips:

Use gentle cleansers and fragrance-free products

Apply moisturizer twice a day and immediately after washing

Include occlusive ingredients like Vaseline or shea butter to lock in moisture. These ingredients are particularly recommended to get rid of chapped lips as they provide a physical barrier to lock moisture in.

Our Bioderma Atoderm range has been designed for dry skin, and there are very effective products that you can add to your skin care routine to prevent dryness.

The Bioderma Atoderm Hands & Nails is a nourishing cream especially designed for exposed areas. It provides skin comfort and soothes feelings of discomfort.

The Atoderm Intensive Balm is designed for very dry to atopic skin. This balm is suitable for the whole family and can be used to prevent dry skin during pregnancy.

During prolonged exposure to cold, it is important to apply emollients just before going to bed to help soothe and repair the skin barrier. It will help your skin regain its softness during the night. If the affected body areas include hands and feet, you can even wear gloves or socks to enhance absorption into the skin.

Because winter is particularly changing the level of humidity in the air, it is important to maintain a good level of humidity around 40–60% indoors. Use a humidifier and place it in the room where you spend most of the day. With more moisture in the air, your skin stays hydrated for longer.

Hydration is an important part in keeping the skin soft and healthy. Remember that hydration is not only moisturizing the skin but also drinking plenty of water to hydrate your whole body. Make sure to drink at least 1,5 liters of water a day to stay hydrated and eliminate toxins from your body.

In addition to drinking water, you can limit your caffeine and alcohol consumption.

The best foods for good skin health include aliments rich in antioxidants and omega-3s.

Add fatty fish (omega-3s, zinc, vitamin E), avocados, almonds, sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes and bell peppers (beta carotene, vitamin C) in your diet to reinforce the hydration of your skin.

Exfoliating the skin helps remove the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and provides a more effective hydration as the moisturizer can penetrate the layers more easily. However, you need to be careful with exfoliation and not damage your skin by scrubbing it off too much. For gentle exfoliation, use exfoliants like lactic acid or mild glycolic acid. Avoid harsh scrubs if skin is cracked or irritated and limit exfoliation to 1–2 times per week.

Antioxidants serums help protect the skin’s surface from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and environmental aggressors like UV and pollution. Apply vitamin C serum in the morning to provide dryness protection.

Remember to moisturize your skin every day and after each shower. For better hydration, it is recommended to use creams over lotions and make sure they contain ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin. Avoid products with fragrance, dyes, or alcohol.

Even if the sun is not as bright in winter, apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to protect against harmful UV light.

When to see a dermatologist?

If none of the home remedies help you soothe your dry skin, you may consider seeing a dermatologist. A dermatologist will be able to diagnose the cause of your dry skin and recommend the best treatments for your symptoms.

The following symptoms are a sign that your skin condition is getting worse and that you need to speak with your doctor as soon as possible:

Excessive redness or irritation

Large areas of peeling or scaling

Itching interferes with sleep

Cracks or sores that may lead to infection

Dry skin during winter feels uncomfortable and may lead to further skin problems. By preventing dryness, you will protect your skin and stay hydrated. Follow our expert s advice on adopting a healthy skin routine and forget about dry skin during winter.