Winter Skin Care Tips: How to Relieve Dry, Itchy Skin When the Temperature Drops

As the weather cools and moisture levels drop in the air, so does the moisture in your skin. If your skin is feeling dry, tight, and uncomfortable this winter season, then a winter skin care routine is just what you need. 

Keep reading to learn dermatologist-approved winter skin care tips, so you can prevent dry skin in winter and keep your skin soft and hydrated all season long. Learn how to prevent dry and itchy skin in winter, including how to layer your moisturizers, choose gentle cleansers, and protect your skin barrier indoors and out.

Prevent dry skin in winter

You don’t have to suffer from dry and itchy skin in winter. Apply these tips to your daily routine to stay hydrated and comfortable in the cool season. 

Layer your moisturizers

From day to night, preventing dry and itchy skin starts with a layered hydration routine. This starts with a moisturizing body wash in the shower or bath, followed by a face cleanser with hydrating qualities. Then, apply face and body moisturizer. It may be best to reduce your exfoliation routine to once a week or less in the cooler months to prevent drying out or irritating your skin.

After the face and body moisturizer has had a minute or two to soak into your skin, apply an oil-based serum to provide further hydration so your skin can stay supple and soft. If you’re not sure which products to use, look for those with the following hydrating ingredients: (Sources 1, 2, and 3)

• Dimethicone
• Glycerin
• Oils like jojoba oil 
• Hyaluronic acid 
• Shea butter 

Choose gentle cleansers

Zum Bar Goat’s Milk Soap is a naturally fragrant cleanser made from olive, coconut, and castor oils blended with goat’s milk and lavender essential oil. The subtle scent soothes your senses, while the oil blend, goat’s milk, and naturally occurring glycerin help lock in your skin’s pH levels for deep hydration. This plant-based handmade product, processed using the cold-pressed method, contains simple ingredients to help soothe and prevent dry and itchy winter skin. 

Protect your skin barrier indoors and out

It’s important to protect your skin no matter what the weather is and no matter if you’re inside or out. This is especially true in the winter. Turning up the thermostat indoors can lower humidity inside your home, and in turn can dry out your skin. Meanwhile, outdoors in cooler temperatures, the lower moisture levels in blistering cold temperatures can dry skin in winter. 

Therefore, it can help to protect your skin with both daytime and nighttime moisturizers. This means sunscreen for day and night with at least 30 SPF, while also containing one or more of the hydrating ingredients mentioned earlier. (Source 4)

Winter skin care product recommendations

Mayumi Squalane Skin Oil is the perfect ending to your winter skin care routine. After cleansing, apply this 100% Pure Natural Squalane from the Sea skin oil to your face, neck and other dry areas. With no parabens, GMOs, gluten, or silicone, this skin oil is the natural solution to help rapidly assist in the acceleration of new cell growth, which in turn can help reduce the signs of aging. Soften and smooth tiny facial lines and help heal your dry and itchy winter skin with Mayumi skin oil. It creates a barrier to protect your skin against the harsh environment.

Derma E Advanced Peptides & Flora-Collagen Moisturizer provides two powerful peptides, Matrixyl and Argireline to help smooth away wrinkles and relax facial muscles for healthier, younger-looking skin. This rich moisturizing cream saturates your skin with nutrients like vitamin C and antioxidants like green tea in a 100% vegetarian and cruelty-free formula that improves skin resilience and tone while helping increase collagen and elastin production.

The Naked Bee Nourishing Hand & Body Lotion is a hyaluronic acid-based moisturizer designed to restore and heal skin to its natural luster. With the natural antibacterial properties of honey blended with nutrient-dense spirulina, as well as certified organic aloe vera and sunflower oil, this tart and tangy scented lotion provides a refreshing mode of moisturization. 

Other winter skin care tips 

Along with hydrating cleansers and moisturizers, try these other winter skin care products from Professional Supplement Center, and use the winter skin care tips below to prevent dry and itchy skin in winter: (Source 1)

• Limit use of alcohol- or fragrance-based products. Look for products that say “fragrance-free” on the label. 
• Use a humidifier indoors.
• Limit time in the shower and bath, which can dry out your skin. 
• Wear gloves when cleaning or in cold weather.

Conclusion

With the right routine, winter doesn’t have to mean dry, uncomfortable skin. By layering hydrating products, choosing gentle cleansers, protecting your skin barrier, and making simple lifestyle tweaks like using a humidifier and avoiding harsh ingredients, you can keep your skin soft and healthy all season long. A few thoughtful steps each day are all it takes to stay moisturized and glowing, even in the coldest weather.

References:

1. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/winter-skin-survival-kit
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12026949/
3. Jojoba Oil: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Uses, and Toxicity – PMC
4. https://www.today.com/health/skin-beauty/winter-skin-care-tips-rcna67038