How to Prevent and Treat Dry Skin in the Winter, According to Dermatologists

There’s a lot I love about winter: the crisp air, the cozy wardrobe (sweatpants), relaxed weekends hunkered down at home, and the magic of watching the first flakes of snow hit the ground. Unfortunately, my skin doesn’t always revel in the magic of winter like I do—and joining those snowflakes are my flakes of dry skin.

I’m not alone—a survey of 2,000 people found that 83 percent of Americans say their skin feels different in the winter than it does the rest of the year, and 60 percent would consider their skin “unhealthy” in the winter (with dryness, itchiness, and redness as the top complaints).

While, yes, I am in good company with people struggling with sandpapery skin when winter rolls around, it doesn’t make it any more enjoyable. So, to get ahead of it, I asked board-certified dermatologists Anna Chacon, MD, of Miami Derm, and Tess Mauricio, MD, and CEO of M Beauty Clinic, to give us the lowdown on what causes dry skin in the winter—and how to stop it in its tracks.

Signs of dry winter skin

You’d think this would be a short list—isn’t the sign of dry skin…dry skin? Yes—but that’s not all. Lucky us!

“Other signs of dry skin, besides the obvious rough and flaky feel and appearance, are itching, tightness, and increased sensitivity. Dry skin is often more sensitive to irritation from both products and the environment, causing inflammation and redness,” says Dr. Chacon. If you’re experiencing light burning when applying your skincare products, that’s another possible sign of skin dryness, adds Dr. Mauricio.

What causes dry skin in the winter?

A few things going on during the winter months can zap your glow. The major one is that lovely crisp winter air, which means less humidity, which in turn means less moisture for your skin to grab onto. “Exposure to cold air can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause dryness,” says Dr. Mauricio.

Your daily habits play a part too, she explains—which means things don’t necessarily improve when you get indoors. “When it’s cold, people take hot showers and baths, which can further dry and irritate the skin. Also, indoor heaters can drastically reduce humidity levels, leading to dry skin.”

How to prevent and treat dry skin

Don’t worry; you don’t have to turn off the indoor heating to help prevent dry winter skin. Whether you’re heading into the season or already dealing with dry winter skin, you have options.

Don’t linger in the shower

Cap your showers at five or 10 minutes, says Dr. Mauricio—and keep the temperature lukewarm, not sizzling hot (even though we know how cozy they feel). “We all want to take hot showers when it is cold, but hot showers and baths can strip the skin of its natural oils, worsening dryness.”

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

In addition to staying out of scorching hot water, Dr. Chacon says don’t neglect your water bottle. “Drinking water will hydrate your skin from the inside out, helping to combat the signs of dry skin,” says Dr. Chacon.

Switch up your moisturizer

“Where in the summer using lightweight or gel-based moisturizers that allow the skin to breathe is commonplace, thick and ultra-emollient ointments and creams are better suited to provide a barrier of protection to the skin,” Dr. Chacon explains. Hydrating ingredients like urea, ceramides, or shea butter can also help, says Dr. Mauricio, adding not to forget your lips, she says. “Use a moisturizing face balm with petroleum jelly or beeswax to prevent chapping.”

Moisturize immediately after cleansing

After you get out of the shower or wash your face, keep that moisture there. “Apply a rich, fragrance-free moisturizer within three minutes after cleansing to lock in moisture and restore the skin barrier,” Dr. Mauricio says. A great option for this? Rhode’s new Barrier Butter ($38), which we recently tested and can confirm: it’s thick, hydrating, and packed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, murumuru butter, and ceramides to keep the skin feeling plump.

Moisturize as you cleanse, too

Be suspicious of your skincare faves, not just your face creams. “Harsher, more chemically laden washes will strip the skin of those good oils, making your skin dry and dull,” says Dr. Chacon. “Reach for gentle cleansers and products that leave the natural oils in your skin,” she recommends. We love the Skinfix Barrier+ Ceramide + Ectoin Hydrating Gentle Gel Cleanser ($30), which has a creamy gel texture packed with ectoin and chamomile to moisturize and soothe.

Exfoliate—but don’t overdo it

“Gentle exfoliation can help dry skin when followed by moisturizing serums and cream,” Dr. Mauricio says. But you can have too much of a good thing, she cautions—over-exfoliating can worsen dry skin and irritate skin by stripping natural oils. “Exfoliate no more than once a week with a gentle product.”

Use a humidifier

You can’t control the humidity outside, but you can do something about it at home. Adding some extra moisture to the air in your home can help to combat the effects of extreme weather and offer some extra moisture for dry skin to absorb,” Dr. Chacon says. Make it part of your bedtime routine. “A portable humidifier helps maintain moisture in the air, which can prevent your skin from becoming dehydrated, especially overnight while you sleep,” Dr. Mauricio says.

Moisturize on the go

You don’t have to shut yourself inside with your face next to the humidifier all winter. When you’re out and about, top off in between your morning and evening skincare routines. “Carry an atomizer or spray that you can pull out and offer a dose of moisture to quench your skin’s thirst while on the go,” Dr. Chacon suggests.

Accessorize

“Protect your skin with gloves and scarves to minimize exposure to cold wind,” Dr. Mauricio says. That sounds like permission to treat yourself to a little cashmere scarf for the holidays, right?

The bottom line 

Winter is coming (for your skin). But some tweaks to your skincare routine and daily habits can go a long way in keeping dryness, flakiness, itchiness, and redness to a minimum. Don’t stress it too much: look for gentle, hydrating ingredients in your cleansers and moisturizers, keep the air at home moist with humidifiers if possible, and protect your skin from the bitter chill, and dry, flaky skin should be on its way.