Winter has a way of making even the most reliable routines feel suddenly ineffective—especially when it comes to skin, hair, and body care. Products you’ve trusted for months stop delivering results, your hands and feet seem perpetually cracked, your scalp feels irritated and everyone from social media to your group chat has a different theory about what you should be doing instead.
The reality is simpler and more scientific than most winter skincare myths suggest. Cold temperatures, low humidity, indoor heating and seasonal lifestyle shifts fundamentally change how our bodies retain moisture, protect their barriers and respond to active ingredients. It’s not that your routine is wrong; it’s that winter demands a different version of it.
To cut through the confusion, we turned to board-certified dermatologists, licensed estheticians, and skin experts to explain what’s actually happening beneath the surface during colder months and which adjustments truly matter. From barrier repair and hydration to scalp care, lips and everyday habits that quietly sabotage skin health, this expert roundup breaks down how to keep your skin resilient, comfortable and glowing all winter long.
Your summer routine doesn’t necessarily stop working in winter, but it often stops being enough. In warmer months, higher humidity helps keep skin naturally hydrated. In winter, cold air, indoor heating and lower humidity strip moisture from the skin, which weakens the skin barrier and leads to dryness, sensitivity, and dullness.
While essentials like vitamin C, retinol, and exfoliation should remain consistent year-round, winter skincare should place a stronger emphasis on hydration and barrier support, using hydrating serums and richer moisturizers to replenish lost moisture and prevent dehydration.
All skin types need to focus more on hydration in winter, but not every skin type requires heavy or rich products. Dry and sensitive skin typically benefits from richer creams and barrier repair ingredients, while oily and acne-prone skin often does best with lightweight hydrating serums and non-comedogenic moisturizers. Even oily skin can become dehydrated in winter, which can actually trigger excess oil production and breakouts, so hydration remains essential across the board.
Jillian Schaeffer, M.S.B.S, Licensed Esthetician and Founder of Aesthete Skin Studio at VABARE Skin
During the winter months, many notice their skin becoming tight, flaky, and more sensitive. Most people instinctively reach for thicker creams, balms and salves. Winter skin health goes deeper than surface moisture. The real cause of seasonal dryness is Trans Epidermal Water Loss, or TEWL — the process where water evaporates from the skin faster than it can be retained.
Cold air, low humidity, indoor heating, hot showers, and windy conditions weaken the skin’s natural barrier, allowing hydration to escape. When that protective layer is compromised, skin doesn’t just feel dry. It actually becomes more prone to irritation, breakouts, and premature aging.
A simple way to understand TEWL is to picture a steaming cup of hot tea. Just as heat causes water to rise into the air, winter conditions pull moisture from our skin when the barrier isn’t properly supported. Hydration loss is happening constantly, even when we don’t see it.
Healthy winter skin is about strengthening the barrier and locking the hydration in. Gentle cleansers, hydrating serums with humectants like hyaluronic acid, and nourishing moisturizers that seal hydration are key. Avoiding over-exfoliation and incorporating barrier-repair ingredients can make a powerful difference.
Hydrated skin is a year-round necessity. By focusing on preventing TEWL instead of simply treating dryness, we can maintain soft, resilient, glowing skin through every season.-
Angela Green, Esthetician at Angela Green Skin Care
Cold temperatures and indoor heating can strip our scalp skin barrier of its natural oils. Incorporating a scalp mask into your hair care routine can be especially helpful during the winter months.
Treating dry scalp involves restoring hydration to the scalp and avoiding factors that could exacerbate the condition. I recommend using a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo formulated to hydrate the scalp. Regular conditioning and the use of a scalp mask can also help lock in moisture. Ingredients to look for include hyaluronic acid, oat oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil, all of which have humectant and moisturizing properties.
Dr. Toral Vaidya, MD, MPH, Prose Skincare
The lips have very thin skin, fewer oil glands and no protective stratum corneum like the rest of the face which makes them less able to retain moisture. In the winter, factors such as low humidity, cold wind and indoor heating exacerbate this vulnerability, leaving lips prone to chapping, cracking, and irritation. Chapped lips respond well to occlusive ingredients such as Aquaphor and Vaseline and 1% hydrocortisone can also help. Look for ingredients in products such as ceramides, zinc oxide and dimethicone and which are healing. Also, apply a lip sleeping mask at night to occlude the skin on your lips to keep them hydrated. Some oils are really good in moderation such as coconut oil. And using a hydrating product for your lips will help as well. I recommend the Exoceuticals Hydra Healing Lip Balm. This is rich in nourishing ingredients to heal, hydrate and protect lips as it’s made with exosomes and squalane for deep hydration. The grace & stella Berry Lip Mask is formulated with Mineral Oil that traps hydration in the skin, Shea Butter which has high concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins for optimal moisture and Jojoba Seed which is rich in fatty acids to heal dry and chapped lips.
Melanie Abeyta, Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner and Owner of Harmony Aesthetics Center
Use a humidifier in your bedroom. Going from cold outdoor air to sleeping in a warm, dry room — promotes dehydration. A humidifier helps combat this.
While driving, be mindful of where hot air is blowing when the heat is on. Often it’s directed at the hands, which can dry out and irritate the skin. Use the feet option instead, and keep a hand cream in the car.
Claudia Flynn, Skin Confident Spa & Ogham Skincare
While you cannot necessarily “cure” dry skin, as skin is constantly gaining and losing water and natural oils, especially during the winter, there is a lot that can be done to mitigate or prevent it. Intentionally using products that hydrate and add moisture is an easy way to keep skin from becoming dry and flaky.
Recommendations for preventing/treating dry skin:
- Apply moisturizing creams and ointments regularly: Moisturizing creams and ointments are better than thin lotions and oils for dry skin. Look for ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, and/or colloidal oatmeal as these help retain moisture.
- Avoid hot showers/baths: Hot water can further dry out the skin, so sticking to warm showers or baths can help keep skin’s natural oils.
- Use a water softener or filter: Installing a water softener or filter in your home can help reduce the mineral content in your water, making it gentler on your skin.
- Use sunscreen daily: Dry skin can be more sensitive to sun damage, so using sunscreen is crucial to prevent further skin issues.
- Consult a dermatologist: In the event of persistent skin issues or a skin condition, dermatologists can give personalized advice and recommendations for treatment.
Dr. Tiffany L. Clay-Ramsey, MD, FAAD, Board-certified Dermatologist at The Honey Pot Company
Winter skin care isn’t about overhauling your routine; It’s about reinforcing it. Cold air, low humidity and indoor heat increase water loss and weaken the skin barrier, making hydration and protection essential from head to toe. The experts agree that supporting the skin barrier with the right balance of humectants, emollients, and occlusives, while avoiding habits that strip moisture, can prevent dryness, irritation and sensitivity before they start. Thoughtful adjustments like gentler cleansing, smarter moisturizing and environmental support such as humidifiers go a long way. With expert-backed strategies and a seasonally aware approach, your skin can stay resilient, comfortable, and healthy throughout winter and beyond.
