Ah… the coziness of winter. The fireplace is crackling, the cocoa is steaming, the wool socks are on, and I’m happily taking my twice-daily showers to warm up.
So imagine my dismay when I learned that one of my favorite winter rituals may actually be doing a number on my skin. Apparently, that glorious, scalding-hot shower I’ve been looking forward to all day is not exactly my skin’s idea of self-care. And it’s not just the hot water. When temperatures fall, humidity drops, too, indoor heating (and fireplaces) dry out the air even more, and it’s a perfect storm for dry, tight, flaky, itchy skin that feels worse than our wool sweaters.
So, what’s actually happening to our skin in winter? I spoke with five local experts to find out—and to learn what we can do about it.
“In winter, the skin barrier gets attacked on both fronts,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annette Czernik, founder of DermMedical in Wilton.
“Indoor heat zaps water from the air, while cold outdoor air constricts blood vessels and circulation to skin, making it harder for moisture to reach the surface.”
Aesthetic Nurse Specialist Amy Foxman of SkinSplendid by Nurse Amy Foxman in Ridgefield explains that winter can increase transepidermal water loss, wreaking havoc on our skin barrier. “Water evaporates from the skin more easily, which can leave it feeling tight, dry, flaky, itchy, and/or sensitive.”
What’s the winter-skin Rx?
1 Turn down the temperature.
Hot, long showers may feel heavenly on a freezing morning, but they can strip the skin of its natural oils. Czernik recommends keeping showers short and turning the temperature down. After bathing, you should moisturize within minutes (while skin is damp) to help lock in moisture. For very dry or cracked areas, an ointment may provide more protection than a lotion or cream.
2 Rethink the “squeaky clean” approach.
Your skin doesn’t need to feel tight after cleansing. In fact, that sensation may be a sign that too much of its protective oil has been removed. Foxman recommends a gentle cleanser and suggests temporarily backing off acids, scrubs, and strong retinoids when skin is irritated. “One of the biggest mistakes is doing too much,” she says. “Flakes may look like something that needs to be scrubbed away, but over-exfoliating can further damage an already compromised barrier.”
3 Moisturize strategically.
Winter may be the time to trade your lightweight lotion for a more substantial cream. Megan Nevins of RIMAN K-Beauty recommends thinking about skincare as “layering protection.” A richer moisturizer can help support the skin barrier, while a humidifier can add moisture back into particularly dry indoor air. “And definitely keep using sunscreen.”
4 Go beyond the face.
According to Czernik, hands, forearms, lips, and even the scalp can take a beating in winter. Hands are especially vulnerable because we wash them frequently. And while licking dry lips may feel helpful in the moment, it actually makes dryness worse (yet we can’t help it!). “Your scalp is skin, too,” says Nevins. “Many people experience more itching and flaking there during the colder months.” The fix? Moisturize those trouble spots regularly, especially after washing or exposure to cold, dry air.
Woman in a light jacket talking to a boy sitting in an igloo5 Don’t forget the kids.
Dr. Susan Lasky, Associate Director of Pediatrics for Stamford Health Medical Group, says eczema is the most common skin condition she sees. “The skin is the largest organ in our bodies and one of the first lines of defense for our immune system,” Lasky says. “Dry, cracked skin can become itchy and inflamed, and breaks in the skin can increase the risk of infection.” Her advice: Keep children’s skin moisturized with a high-quality, dye- and fragrance-free cream or ointment, use fragrance- and dye-free detergents to minimize irritants, and bathe the kids only a few times a week, if possible.
6 Consider what’s going into your body.
“Number one is water,” says Dre Dretzin, Holistic Health Counselor at Nature’s Temptations in Ridgefield. She emphasizes staying hydrated and eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, which can be harder to prioritize during the colder months. “Fish oil, vitamin D, and antioxidants can also be very supportive as part of an overall approach to supporting skin health.”
The takeaway from all five experts is surprisingly simple: winter skincare is less about buying a dozen new products and more about protecting what you already have, your skin barrier. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a lukewarm shower to take. •
