Caring for Your Skin This Winter

When temperatures drop, our skin faces its toughest seasonal test. Cold, windy air and indoor heating combine to deplete the skin's natural moisture and compromise its protective barrier. Lower humidity outdoors and recirculated dry air indoors make it harder for skin to stay hydrated, leaving it flaky or irritated.

Adjusting your skincare routine to meet these winter challenges is essential for maintaining comfort and long-term barrier health.

Understand the Winter Skin Challenge: Dry Air, Temperature Swings & Barrier Stress

The American Academy of Dermatology notes that in cold weather, skin "can have a difficult time retaining moisture,"due to reduced humidity and harsh environmental exposure. Outdoor air in winter holds less water, and once you step inside, central heating continues to draw moisture from your skin.

Frequent temperature shifts, from frigid sidewalks to warm, dry rooms, create further strain. Rapid changes can cause micro-vascular stress, leaving the skin flushed or sensitive as it works to regulate circulation. This constant push-and-pull between hot and cold weakens the lipid barrier and increases transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

Simply put: winter air steals hydration from the skin faster than it can replenish it. Recognizing this helps you adjust your cleansing, hydrating, and repair strategies to defend against seasonal dryness.

Tailor Your Cleanse & Hydrate Steps for Less Stripping

You should replace foaming or sulfate-based cleansers with mild, creamy formulations that cleanse without stripping away natural oils in winter. Avoid long, hot showers, too. Though they feel comforting, they can dissolve lipids that help your skin retain moisture.

After cleansing, focus on layering hydration strategically. Begin with humectant ingredients such as glycerin to draw moisture into the skin. Follow with richer, occlusive moisturizers containing ceramides or shea butter to trap that hydration beneath the surface.

Many dermatologists also recommend switching from lightweight lotions to thicker, cream-based moisturizers during the winter months. These create a more substantial protective film that helps minimize dehydration and calm irritation caused by wind and temperature changes.

Support and Repair the Barrier

Once your skin is clean and hydrated, it's time to fortify its natural defenses. Cold weather can erode the lipid matrix that keeps your skin resilient, so replenishing with barrier-repair ingredients is vital. Look for formulas that combine ceramides, fatty acids, and niacinamide, all of which help restore the skin's balance and reduce sensitivity.

In winter, consider adding a peptide cream alongside your moisturizer. Peptides act as cellular messengers, signaling the skin to produce more collagen and elastin while supporting barrier recovery. When used consistently, peptides may help calm inflammation and strengthen the skin's structure, which reduces the appearance of dryness or dullness.

Peptides can be particularly effective when layered over humectants and under occlusives, as this allows them to penetrate while locking in hydration. Always start gradually if you're new to these ingredients -different peptide concentrations or combinations may affect sensitivity.