10 November 2025
Dry Skin in Winter
Winter and skin don’t always get along. Freezing temperatures and icy winds outside, dry indoor heating inside – the constant switch between cold and warm air can leave your skin feeling tight and dehydrated. To help it stay soft, smooth, and well-hydrated despite the cold, we’ve gathered our best winter skincare tips for you.
Why Does Skin Get Dry in Winter?
When temperatures drop, your skin faces quite a challenge. The constant switch between cold air outside and dry, heated air indoors can really take a toll on it.
Causes of Dry Skin in Winter:
Cold Outside, Dry Air Inside
Indoor heating dries out the air and pulls moisture from your skin. At the same time, humidity levels in winter are much lower than in summer. Cold weather, wind, and dry air all put extra stress on your skin’s natural barrier. The result? Skin that dries out faster, feels tight, and starts to flake.
Sebum Production & Your Skin’s Protective Barrier
As temperatures drop, your skin’s sebum production naturally slows down. Sebum helps form the delicate lipid layer that keeps your skin soft, smooth, and protected from bacteria and moisture loss. In winter, the skin produces less of these protective oils, causing this barrier to become thinner and more fragile. As a result, moisture can escape more easily, leaving the skin dry, itchy, and rough. The face, hands, and legs are especially prone to dryness, since they naturally have fewer oil glands.
Blood Circulation
When it’s cold outside, the blood vessels in your skin constrict to preserve body heat. While this natural defense mechanism helps keep you warm, it also has a downside: less blood flow means your skin receives less oxygen and fewer nutrients, leaving it looking pale and dull. At the same time, your skin’s metabolism slows down, so cell renewal takes longer. The skin barrier regenerates more slowly, and small cracks and dry patches also take longer to heal. Overall, your skin tends to be more sensitive and loses firmness more easily during the winter months.
What Else Dries Out Your Skin
- Smoking: Cigarette smoke stresses the skin and weakens its natural barrier.
- Long, hot baths: Spending too much time in hot water strips your skin of its natural oils and moisture.
- Harsh soaps: Overly harsh cleansers can disrupt the skin’s natural protective layer.
- Age-related moisture loss: As we age, the skin naturally loses hydration and elasticity.
Dry Skin & Winter Eczema: Symptoms
Winter eczema can develop when already dry skin is put under extra stress during the colder months. Cold weather, indoor heating, and a weakened skin barrier all cause the skin to lose even more moisture. When it becomes too dry, it often reacts with redness and irritation — classic signs of winter eczema.
This condition most often appears on the face, since this area is constantly exposed to cold air and wind. The hands and legs are also commonly affected, as they have fewer oil glands and tend to dry out more quickly.
What are the signs of dry skin in winter?
- The skin feels tight, especially after washing
- Redness becomes more noticeable
- Itching or irritation develops
- Fine flakes or small cracks appear
- The affected areas feel extra sensitive
Dry Winter Skin: What Really Helps?
We’ve gathered our best skincare tips and top moisturizers for winter skin to help you keep your skin soft and hydrated all season long.
The Right Skincare Routine for Winter
The secret to healthy skin in winter is switching up your routine. If your skin already feels a bit dry in spring or summer, you’ll likely find that your regular moisturizer just doesn’t do the job once winter sets in. During the winter months, your skin craves something richer — a good moisturizer for dry skin in winter should be deeply nourishing and packed with lipids to lock in moisture.
For dry winter skin, face creams and other products containing urea are a great choice. This powerhouse ingredient helps attract and lock in moisture while strengthening the skin’s natural barrier to keep it deeply hydrated. Coenzyme Q10 is another winter essential: it boosts cell renewal and helps revive dull, tired skin for a fresher, more radiant look.
For an extra boost of care, try rich, lipid-infused masks - like the Hydro Lipid Cream Mask - or nourishing oil ampoules such as the #stressless ampoules and #sleepingbeauty ampoules. They help restore your skin’s protective barrier and defend it against cold weather, wind, and dry indoor air.
These products are especially effective for dry skin in winter:
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- UNIVERSAL FACE CAREHydro Lipid Cream MaskRegeneration-Boosting Cream Mask for Dry and Stressed Skin€34.90
- ALGAE SKINFOODBi-Phase Skin Reloading 5 Ampoules2-Phase Overnight Ampoule to Boost Skin Regeneration€22.90
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- MINERAL CARE MEDDEAD SEA SALT INTENSE LIPID CREAMLipid-Rich Anti-Itch Cream for Very Dry Skin Prone to Eczema or Psoriasis€24.90
- HIGH CONCENTRATE5 CERAMIDE SERUMBarrier-Strengthening Serum with 5 Ceramides, Panthenol and Golden Kelp€39.90
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Tips for Very Dry or Eczema-Prone Skin
If your skin is extremely dry or sensitive, opt for rich, fragrance-free formulas. Soothing creams with panthenol and sea salt help strengthen the skin barrier and ease feelings of tightness or irritation. Always make sure your skincare is free from harsh ingredients like alcohol or added fragrance. Our Mineral Care line is perfect for sensitive skin types. The Intense Lipid Cream provides deep nourishment and acts as an SOS remedy for rough elbows, making it an absolute must-have for your next winter getaway.
Sun Protection in Winter
Even though the sun may seem weaker, UV exposure can still damage your skin in the winter. Snow can reflect up to 80% of UV rays, exposing your skin to far more radiation than you might expect — a fact many people tend to overlook. That’s why sunscreen with a high enough SPF is essential, especially on ski trips. It helps shield the skin from UV damage while also preventing dark spots and premature aging. Our Sun Fluid is perfect for daily use in winter. Applied over your regular moisturizer, it helps strengthen the skin barrier and provides gentle yet effective care, even for sensitive skin.
Nutrition Tips for Healthy Winter Skin
Healthy, glowing skin starts from within. In winter, focus on a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids - found in salmon, flaxseed oil and walnuts, for example, to help strengthen your skin’s natural barrier. Keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water or unsweetened teas to maintain your skin’s moisture balance. Hyaluronic acid supplements can also help hydrate your skin from the inside out. Taken in capsule form, they support a smooth, supple complexion while also promoting stronger hair and nails.
How to Prevent Dry Skin from Indoor Heating
As we mentioned earlier, dry indoor air can really take a toll on your skin in winter. Warm, dry heating air pulls moisture from the skin, leaving it tight and uncomfortable. To counteract this, air out your rooms regularly and use a humidifier - or simply place a bowl of water near the radiator - to add moisture back into the air. Your skin (and your sinuses) will thank you.
Bathing and Showering in Winter
Long, hot baths may feel heavenly on a cold day, but they can strip your skin of essential oils and moisture. To keep your skin from drying out, avoid staying in the water too long and skip the extra-hot temperatures. Instead, stick to short showers or baths - no longer than ten minutes - using lukewarm water and a gentle, replenishing cleanser.
Pro Tip: Moisturize right after you towel off, while your skin is still slightly damp. This helps your skincare absorb better and even allows you to use less product. Our rich, lipid-replenishing Body Butter is perfect for this — it deeply nourishes the skin and keeps it soft, smooth, and supple.
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- MINERAL CARE MEDDEAD SEA SALT BODY LOTIONMoisturizing Body Lotion for Very Dry Skin Prone to Eczema or Psoriasis€22.90
- MINERAL CARE MEDDEAD SEA SALT SHOWER GEL & SHAMPOOFragrance-free Product for Sensitive Skin Prone to Eczema or Psoriasis€12.90
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Author:
Irina
Beauty Editor
Irina writes about everything that supports healthy, beautiful skin - from skincare routines to powerful marine ingredients. Her mission: to make skincare simple, clear, and easy to understand.
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