Many people notice that their skin feels drier, itchier, or more sensitive during the winter months, and this is not just their imagination. Seasonal changes, especially the arrival of cold weather, can have a significant impact on skin health. When temperatures drop, the air naturally holds less moisture, and the reduced humidity makes it much harder for the skin to retain hydration. This lack of moisture is one of the main reasons why skin often feels tight, rough, or flaky during winter.
In addition to the dryness caused by cold outdoor air, indoor heating systems also play a big role in worsening the problem. While heaters make our homes and workplaces more comfortable, they strip away what little moisture is left in the air, creating an environment that quickly dehydrates the skin. As a result, people may notice more frequent irritation, itching, and redness during this time of year.
Winter also brings changes to our daily habits that affect the skin. Hot showers, though comforting in cold weather, can strip the skin of its natural oils even more quickly, weakening its protective barrier. Wind exposure outside can add another layer of damage, leaving the skin feeling chapped and sensitive. For those who already struggle with conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, winter weather often triggers flare-ups and makes symptoms harder to manage.
In short, the combination of cold temperatures, low humidity, harsh winds, and constant exposure to dry indoor air creates the perfect storm for skin discomfort in winter. Understanding these factors is the first step to adjusting your skincare routine so you can protect your skin’s natural barrier, maintain hydration, and reduce irritation throughout the season.
Another reason winter skin feels worse is that our bodies naturally produce less oil in colder weather. This decline in sebum production means the skin’s natural barrier is less effective at locking in moisture and defending against irritants. Without enough protective oils, the skin becomes more vulnerable to cracking, inflammation, and sensitivity. This is why adding rich moisturizers, hydrating serums, and gentle skincare practices becomes especially important during the colder months.
Why Winter Weather Affects Your Skin
Many people notice their skin becoming drier, itchier, or more sensitive during the colder months, and this isn’t just coincidence. Winter weather creates a challenging environment for your skin due to a mix of environmental and lifestyle factors. From the dry air outdoors to the artificial heat indoors, every condition during winter seems to work against your skin’s ability to stay hydrated, smooth, and healthy.
Let’s break down the main reasons why your skin feels worse in winter and explore the science behind each one.
1. Dry Air and Low Humidity
Cold air holds far less moisture than warm air, which means that during winter, humidity levels naturally drop. When the air lacks moisture, it begins to pull water out of the outermost layer of your skin the epidermis. This leads to dehydration, causing skin to feel tight, rough, or flaky.
The problem intensifies when we spend more time indoors. Central heating systems, fireplaces, and radiators further reduce indoor humidity, turning your home or office into a desert-like environment for your skin. This constant exposure to dry air can break down the skin’s natural barrier, leaving it more vulnerable to irritation and infection.
2. Reduced Oil (Sebum) Production
Sebaceous glands are responsible for producing natural oils that help lock in hydration and protect against external irritants. In winter, these glands become less active, and oil production slows down. Without this protective coating of sebum, your skin loses water faster and feels unprotected against the elements.
This is why even people with oily or combination skin may notice dry patches during winter. For those with dry or sensitive skin, the problem is even more pronounced, often leading to cracking, itching, and an overall loss of skin suppleness.
3. Rapid Temperature Fluctuations
Throughout the winter season, you’re constantly moving between very different environments freezing outdoor air and warm, heated indoor spaces. These sudden shifts force your skin to adapt quickly, and your blood vessels expand and contract to manage the temperature changes.
This process can result in visible redness, flushing, or increased sensitivity. Over time, the constant stress may lead to irritation or trigger flare-ups in people with conditions like rosacea or eczema. Even if you don’t have an underlying skin condition, these fluctuations can make your skin look blotchy and feel uncomfortable.
4. Clothing Friction and Irritation
Bundling up in layers is essential in cold weather, but heavy fabrics like wool or synthetic blends can create new skin challenges. These materials often rub against the skin, especially in areas like the neck, wrists, and thighs. The friction can worsen dryness, cause itching, and sometimes even lead to rashes or chafing.
Scarves and turtlenecks, while cozy, can trap heat and sweat against the skin. This creates an environment where bacteria thrive, which may cause irritation or acne breakouts, particularly along the jawline and chin. Choosing softer, breathable fabrics like cotton for base layers can reduce these effects significantly.
5. Hot Showers and Baths
It’s tempting to take long, hot showers or baths in winter, but they strip the skin of its natural oils faster than lukewarm water. Hot water damages the lipid barrier, leaving the skin more vulnerable to dryness and irritation. While these showers may feel soothing in the moment, they can worsen winter skin problems over time, leading to itching, redness, and increased sensitivity.
6. Dehydration and Lower Water Intake
People tend to drink less water during the colder months because they don’t feel as thirsty as they do in summer. However, the body still loses water through respiration and skin evaporation, especially when exposed to dry indoor heating. Without enough hydration from within, skin struggles to maintain moisture balance, making dryness and flakiness worse.
7. Reduced Sunlight and Vitamin D
Shorter days and weaker sunlight during winter also affect your skin indirectly. Limited sun exposure lowers the body’s vitamin D levels, which play a role in skin health and repair. Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to dullness, slower healing, and even worsened inflammatory skin conditions. In addition, the lack of sunlight can negatively affect mood and stress levels, which in turn can impact the skin through hormonal changes.
8. Lifestyle and Diet Changes
During winter, people often shift their diets toward heavier, comfort foods and away from fresh fruits and vegetables. This can reduce the intake of essential vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids that help support healthy skin. Combined with increased caffeine intake (to stay warm and alert) and holiday indulgences, the skin may end up receiving fewer nutrients while also battling dryness and irritation.
The Bigger Picture
All of these factors cold, dry air, lower oil production, fluctuating temperatures, harsh clothing, hot showers, dehydration, lack of sunlight, and lifestyle changes combine to create the “perfect storm” for winter skin discomfort. The result? Dullness, dryness, irritation, redness, and sensitivity are far more common during this season than at any other time of year.
The good news is that once you understand the underlying causes, you can take proactive steps to protect your skin. Simple changes in your daily routine like using a humidifier, applying richer moisturizers, staying hydrated, and adjusting your shower habits can make a dramatic difference in how your skin feels throughout the winter.
Common Winter Skin Conditions
Eczema
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is one of the most common skin conditions that tends to flare up during the winter months. The skin of someone with eczema already struggles to maintain a strong barrier, which means it loses water easily and is more vulnerable to irritation. When cold weather arrives, the problem intensifies. Dry air outdoors and heated environments indoors both strip the skin of essential moisture, which can trigger flare-ups.
Eczema often shows up as patches of dry, red, itchy, and inflamed skin. These areas may become rough, scaly, or even start to crack. In winter, the hands, face, elbows, and areas where clothing rubs (such as behind the knees or around the wrists) are particularly prone to irritation. For many people, the constant itch-scratch cycle gets worse in winter, leading to more visible flare-ups and discomfort. Without proper care, eczema patches may even become infected due to repeated scratching and open skin.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is another chronic skin condition that often becomes more severe during winter. One of the reasons is the reduced exposure to natural sunlight. Sunlight provides small doses of UV rays, which can actually help slow down the rapid skin cell turnover that causes psoriasis plaques. With shorter, darker days in winter, people lose this natural benefit, leading to an increase in flare-ups.
Cold weather itself can also dry out the skin, making plaques thicker, itchier, and more uncomfortable. In addition, the stress of the holiday season, lifestyle changes, and lower vitamin D levels can worsen symptoms. Plaques commonly appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, and in severe cases may crack and bleed. Psoriasis flare-ups in winter not only affect physical comfort but also take a toll on confidence and mental health.
Dry Patches and Cracking
Even people without a chronic skin condition notice dry patches appearing during winter. The skin on the hands, lips, and heels is especially vulnerable. The hands are constantly exposed to cold air, frequent washing, and harsh soaps, all of which strip away moisture and oils. Over time, this leads to rough patches and sometimes painful cracks that sting when exposed to water or irritants.
The heels of the feet are another common trouble spot. Because they bear the weight of the body, dry skin here can split and form deep cracks known as fissures. These cracks can be painful and may even bleed, making walking uncomfortable. Not only does this cause physical discomfort, but cracks also create an entry point for bacteria, increasing the risk of infection.
Chapped Lips and Nose
Lips are particularly vulnerable in winter because they don’t contain oil glands, meaning they cannot naturally produce the protective oils that help the skin on the rest of the body retain moisture. Cold winds, constant lip licking, and dry indoor air all contribute to cracking and peeling. Severe cases can lead to painful splits at the corners of the mouth, sometimes referred to as angular cheilitis.
The nose also takes a beating during winter. Seasonal colds, allergies, or flu often mean frequent nose blowing, which irritates and chafes the delicate skin around the nostrils. When you add the drying effects of wind and central heating, the result is redness, soreness, and sometimes peeling skin. For many, this is a repeating cycle every winter season.
Itchy, Flaky Scalp
The scalp is often overlooked when thinking about winter skin problems, but it is just as vulnerable as the face or hands. Low humidity and indoor heating dry out the scalp, which can lead to itching, flaking, or dandruff-like symptoms. Wearing hats for warmth can sometimes make things worse by trapping sweat, heat, and oils against the skin, which irritates the scalp further. Hot showers also strip the scalp of its natural oils, leading to more dryness and flakiness. For some people, this can escalate into seborrheic dermatitis, a more serious scalp condition that requires treatment.
Winter Acne and Breakouts
Although many people associate acne with oily summer skin, breakouts can also become worse in winter. The skin often overcompensates for dryness by producing extra oil, which can clog pores and cause pimples. At the same time, heavy moisturizers and occlusive creams used during winter can also contribute to breakouts if they aren’t chosen carefully. Additionally, scarves, hats, and high collars trap sweat and bacteria against the skin, leading to irritation and acne, particularly around the chin, jawline, and forehead.
Urticaria (Hives)
Some people develop hives, or urticaria, when exposed to cold temperatures a condition known as cold urticaria. These raised, red, itchy welts can appear suddenly after being outdoors in freezing weather or after direct exposure to cold air or water. While not as common as other winter skin issues, it can be particularly distressing for those who experience it.
How a Dermatologist Can Help
While adjusting your skincare routine at home can certainly make a difference, consulting a dermatologist during the winter months can provide more targeted relief and long-term solutions. A dermatologist in London or wherever you are can examine your skin closely, identify the root causes of your winter concerns, and recommend personalised strategies that go beyond over-the-counter products. Since winter affects everyone differently, from mild dryness to severe flare-ups of chronic conditions, having a tailored approach can help you manage symptoms more effectively.
One of the most common recommendations a dermatologist makes is the use of emollients and moisturisers suited to your skin type. Unlike general store-bought lotions, dermatologists often suggest formulations with ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or urea, which are proven to strengthen the skin barrier and lock in hydration for longer. These targeted moisturisers help replenish the natural oils that winter weather strips away, leaving the skin feeling softer and more resilient.
They may also recommend gentle, non-foaming cleansers that clean without stripping away natural oils. Many people unknowingly make their dryness worse by using harsh soaps or gel cleansers that are better suited for oily skin. A dermatologist can guide you toward the right cleansing routine that maintains balance while keeping the skin refreshed.
For those struggling with extreme dryness, especially on the hands, elbows, or heels, dermatologists often prescribe barrier creams. These thick, protective formulations act almost like a shield, sealing in moisture and preventing further water loss. In severe cases, they may even suggest ointments or occlusive creams that provide round-the-clock hydration.
If you have a chronic skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, winter can be particularly challenging. A dermatologist can provide prescription-strength treatments such as corticosteroid creams, medicated ointments, or advanced therapies like light treatment (phototherapy). These options help reduce inflammation, soothe itching, and prevent flare-ups from worsening when the weather is at its harshest.
Beyond products and prescriptions, dermatologists also provide valuable advice on lifestyle adjustments that make a big difference. They may recommend using a humidifier to restore moisture to dry indoor air, wearing breathable fabrics like cotton underneath wool sweaters to minimise irritation, or avoiding long, hot showers that strip the skin of its natural oils. In some cases, they may even suggest dietary adjustments or supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids or vitamin D, which support skin health during darker, colder months.
Overall, visiting a dermatologist ensures that your winter skin care is not just guesswork but guided by expert knowledge. By combining professional treatments with simple daily habits, you can significantly reduce discomfort, protect against seasonal damage, and maintain healthy, radiant skin even in the harshest winter conditions.
Final Thought: Protecting Your Skin Through Winter
Winter weather can be harsh, but taking proactive steps ensures your skin stays healthy and comfortable throughout the season. From consistent moisturising to wearing softer fabrics and using humidifiers, small changes can have a big impact on preventing dryness and irritation.
If you experience persistent dryness, eczema, or flare-ups that don’t improve with home remedies, professional guidance can make all the difference. You can get in touch with us to book a consultation with one of our expert Dermatologist in London, for personalised advice and treatment tailored to your skin’s needs.
References:
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- Park, E. H., Jo, D. J., Jeon, H. W., & Na, S. J. (2023) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10264749/
- Kikuchi, K., et al. (2001) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/244915196_The_Winter_Season_Affects_More_Severely_the_Facial_Skin_than_the_Forearm_Skin_Comparative_Biophysical_Studies_Conducted_in_the_Same_Japanese_Females_in_Later_Summer_and_Winter
- Su, S. & Guo, H. (2007) https://journals.lww.com/epidem/fulltext/2007/09001/the_association_between_low_humidity_environment.70.aspx
- Weller, R. B., Jin, Y., Payne, S. R., & Wang, F. (2021) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353789095_A_comparison_of_the_effect_of_indoor_thermal_and_humidity_condition_on_young_and_older_adults’_comfort_and_skin_condition_in_winter