Are you aware that your skin changes with the seasons? If so, you may have observed that the cold temperatures brought by the winter months tend to make your skin appear drier and flakier.

Cold air, low humidity levels, dry indoor heat, and harsh winter winds can strip the moisture from your skin. This will leave your skin, especially those parts exposed to these elements like your face, hands, and feet, less glowing than normal.

There are skin care tips in winter you can apply to keep your skin looking healthy even when the temperature is low and you can’t escape the winter’s dry, cold air.

What Are the Causes of Dry Winter Skin?

The wintertime changes the humidity and temperature, producing the ideal environment for having dry skin, also known as xerosis. The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin, and the thin outer surface of the epidermis is the skin barrier. The skin barrier creates a layer of protection, preventing harmful toxins from entering the body. If it sustains damage, the skin will appear to be dry and irritated.

The skin barrier needs moisture to function properly. According to research, the skin has less moisture in the winter than it does in the summer. People often turn their indoor heating up high, reducing the humidity, and at the same time, the outside cold and harsh winds can strip the skin’s natural, moisturizing oils.

The moisture of the skin differs depending on a person's age, race, gender, and environment. Dry skin can also be caused by a variety of medical conditions.

Signs of Dry Winter Skin

Among the most typical indications of dry skin are:

• Flakiness
• Rough texture
• Redness
• Itchiness
• Visible cracks in the skin
• Stinging
• Sensitive to touching the skin

Skin Care Tips in Winter to Prevent Skin Dryness

You can’t escape having dry winter skin. But by making some changes to your winter skincare routine and by using the best winter skincare products, you may be able to keep your skin soft, smooth, and radiant all winter long.

Moisturize after Washing

Winter skincare tips by dermatologists emphasize the importance of using moisturizers, especially during the cold season. Every time you wash your face, hands, or other parts of your body, you remove natural oils from your skin, which must be replaced because these oils help your skin retain moisture.

Put a travel-size moisturizer with you when you're going out and a bottle of moisturizer next to your sink as a helpful reminder to always moisturize right after you wash.

Wear Your Sunscreen Every Day

It can be tempting to skip applying sunscreen in the morning given that the winter days are shorter and there is less sunlight. But even during winter, the harmful UV rays can still damage your skin’s moisture barrier, which is needed to maintain the health of the skin and hydration. After you put on moisturizer, you might want to add a layer of sunscreen to your winter skincare routine.

Adjust Your Skincare Regimen

You might want to think about temporarily simplifying your skin care regimen if the dry winter air is making the skin on your face feel particularly sensitive or irritated. Keep in mind that your skin's moisture barrier must be healthy for other beauty treatments to be effective.

Keep your winter skincare routine simple. Use sunscreen and moisturizer in the morning and a gentle cleanser at night. One of the best skincare products to use is the Santeva Clarifying Cleanser. This cleanser offers the ultimate hydration that your skin’s deepest layer might be missing. The Santeva cleanser promises to bring back your skin’s natural moisture and give you the glow you deserve.

Utilize a Humidifier

Humidifiers can be quite helpful for replacing moisture in the air when interior heating is turned up in the winter. More water in the air can act as a natural moisturizer, helping to prevent and treat dry skin.

Keep Hydrated

Making sure you stay hydrated throughout the day is another essential step to maintaining healthy, luminous skin, especially during the winter. If you don't drink enough water, it can change the way your skin looks and make it more likely to get dry.

In addition to staying hydrated, you may want to consider eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Both of these nutrients can protect your cells against environmental deterioration and help create healthy cells in your body, including skin cells.

Key Takeaways

In the winter, having dry, flaky skin that affects not only your face but also your hands, feet, and other exposed body parts is typical.

Your skin has to be moisturized frequently with the correct products if you want to maintain its health. Your skin can also be protected by using a humidifier and drinking enough water to keep your body hydrated. Consider following up with your healthcare provider for the appropriate course of action if you find that your dry skin isn't getting better with at-home solutions.