Dry skin in winter: causes, tips and treatments

Does your skin feel tight, flaky or sensitive in winter? Then you are certainly not alone. In the winter months many people suffer from dry skin, especially on the face. The cold air outside and the dry air from the heating indoors together make the skin lose moisture faster.

In this article you can read why that happens, what you can do about it yourself and which treatments help.

Why does the skin become dry in winter?

The outer layer of the skin, the skin barrier, retains moisture and keeps out irritants from outside. In winter this barrier is damaged more easily. There are four reasons for this.

Cold outdoor air slows down the production of sebum, so the skin loses moisture faster. Indoors, the heating lowers the humidity, and that dry air draws moisture from the skin. A hot shower feels wonderful in winter, but it rinses fats and moisture out of the skin. And the changes between warm and cold, and the wind, weaken the skin barrier again and again.

The result is a tight feeling, flakes, redness or a dull complexion. You usually notice it first on the cheeks, the forehead and around the nose.

What can you do yourself?

There is a lot you can do yourself to keep your skin supple in winter. Our skin therapists give this advice:

1. Use a richer cream. In winter, choose a cream with ingredients that restore the skin barrier, such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide or fatty acids. They help the skin retain moisture better.
2. Cleanse gently. Use a mild cleanser without perfume, such as a cleansing milk or oil. Put strongly foaming gels and coarse scrubs aside for a while.
3. Take short, lukewarm showers. Hot water rinses away the skin’s natural oils. Stick to lukewarm water and a maximum of ten minutes.
4. Protect your skin outdoors. A scarf or hat protects against cold wind. Use an SPF in winter too, because UV radiation is present all year round.
5. Drink enough water. Even if you feel less thirsty in winter.

Treatments at Huidzorg Amstelland

Sometimes good care at home is not enough to restore the skin barrier. A treatment at the practice can help.

With an Instant Glow Facial we give the skin plenty of moisture and nourishment. Depending on your skin, we choose calming masks, LED light and active ingredients that suit you.

LED light therapy stimulates the skin to renew itself and calms it. That is pleasant for red, sensitive or irritated winter skin.

With light microneedling we boost collagen production and the skin absorbs moisturising ingredients better. That is a good choice if you would also like to do something about a dull complexion or fine lines.

Finally, we give personal product advice. We work with product lines such as Alpha-H and Dermalogica, and during the intake we look at which products suit your skin.

Mistakes we often see

• Exfoliating or scrubbing too often. This weakens the skin barrier, especially in winter.
• Products with alcohol or perfume. These can irritate dry skin even more.
• Moisturising too late after cleansing. Apply your cream while the skin is still slightly damp. That way you seal in the moisture.

Need help?

Do you suffer from dry, irritated skin or other complaints in winter? Book a free intake. Our skin therapists will look at your skin and advise you on the right care or treatment.