Top 10 Winter Skin Care Tips for Dry, Itchy Skin

If winter is so NOT your favorite season… well, that’s fair. Between scraping your car off in the morning and it getting dark sooo early, the winter blues are real. But when even your SKIN starts reacting poorly to the season, something’s gotta change. And it’s not gonna be the weather 😅

If your skin seems to be less-than-thrilled with the cold, don’t worry: with the right skin care habits, your skin can look and feel just as glowy and comfortable as it does the rest of the year.

We’ve compiled ten gentle but highly effective winter skin tips for dry, itchy skin. Let’s dive right in!

1. Use gentle cleansers

While harsh cleansers can do a great job of removing makeup, dirt, and debris, some can also go a little too far and strip the skin of its natural oils. Opt for a non-foaming cleanser that’s free of soap and SLS. If your skin is especially dry, try only cleansing once a day during the winter. To achieve a deep clean, cleanse with a gentle cleanser and a sonic facial cleansing brush.

2. Don’t use scalding hot water

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who are happy with a lukewarm shower and those who turn the hot water as high up as it can go just to feel something. If you’re the latter (guilty) consider toning that down a bit. Extremes in water temperature can majorly dry out your skin, whether while taking a shower or washing your face.

3. Drink at least 72 oz of water per day

If your skin seems thirsty, it probably is. Hydration is important year-round for overall health as well as skin health. Studies have shown that if you’re dehydrated, increasing your water intake can have a positive effect on skin appearance and skin hydration.

Related: Dry vs Dehydrated Skin

4. Use a petroleum or cream-based moisturizer

In the summer, heavy moisturizers may not be the way to go, especially if you have oily skin or are prone to clogged pores. But if you always have dry skin in the winter, you can probably afford to go a little heavier. Look for a petroleum or cream-based moisturizer to get your skin through the winter, and apply it immediately after washing to trap moisture in your skin.

5. Bundle up

One of the easiest (and warmest) ways to protect your skin from drying, cold air is with clothing. Make sure that as little of your skin as possible is exposed whenever you venture out into the cold – wear gloves, warm socks, and hats to protect your extremities. The fabrics you wear matter, too. Organic cotton and silk are ideal for sensitive skin, and moisture-wicking fabrics are a must for whenever you work out.

6. Wear sunscreen

News flash: the sun shines year-round. Sunscreen may not be as obvious of a necessity in the winter, but harmful UV rays are still present and can reach your skin through clouds, especially during the peak daylight hours of 10 am to 4 pm. This sun exposure can lead to premature aging and skin cancer, not to mention irritated skin. It’s a non-negotiable: apply sunscreen daily as the last step of your morning skincare routine, even throughout the winter.

7. Improve your sleep quality

You can’t avoid all the environmental factors that buffet your skin during the winter, but you can make sure your skin has a good chance to recover from them. Adequate sleep allows your skin to heal and stay healthy. Follow a consistent sleep schedule, avoid screens for at least 30 minutes before bed, and consume caffeine only in the AM.

8. Exercise regularly

Exercise can make your skin more glowy and less tight. Not only can it help you achieve better sleep AND manage stress, it also can increase blood flow and clear impurities from the skin. With cold temps and short daylight hours, it can be hard to stay motivated to work out… but your skin will thank you for powering through!

9. Use a humidifier

Indoor heating is dry heat – it takes moisture out of the air and causes dry skin during winter. Consider using a humidifier to add that moisture back into the air, and/or leaving your thermostat alone and bundling up with warmer clothes and blankets during cold days instead. (Bonus: this could help improve your sleep quality as well!)

10. Stop shaving your legs

It is a truth universally acknowledged that wintertime is a time for not shaving your legs. No one sees them anyway, and shaving dry, irritated legs can be an unpleasant experience.

But the winter can also be a great time to start a permanent hair removal routine to prep for warmer days ahead. Lumi, RoseSkinCo’s permanent hair removal device, allow you to get rid of unwanted body hair for good from the comfort of your home. It’s easy to use, pain-free, and works just about anywhere – legs, armpits, face, bikini area, you name it.

Order Lumi now and, by the time you’ve completed full treatment, it’ll be warm enough outside to show those ultra-smooth, permanently hairless legs off! 😏 (And next winter, you’ll have hairless legs under all those layers without having to shave them 🙌)

Managing symptoms of dry winter skin

It’s not just in your head: our skin tends to behave differently during the winter, often due to low humidity, cold weather conditions, and indoor heating. No matter your skin type, this can result in dry, flaky, itchy, tight, sensitive, chapped skin – issues your usual skincare routine may not be wholly equipped to address.

If you’re reading this and it’s already the dead of winter, you should know: all of the above preventative measures can also be used to address current, ongoing symptoms. Start implementing those tips now to help your skin feel better and not get any worse.

Our #1 Winter Skin Care Tip: Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Whether your skin is feeling tight, itchy, dry, or flaky as a result of the changing season, the message is the same: your skin is craving moisture. No matter what your skin care routine tends to look like the rest of the year, we’d recommend using a cream or petroleum-based facial moisturizer morning and night, and applying a gentle body lotion daily and/or immediately after showering. And if your skin still feels dry, do more!

When should you see a dermatologist for winter skin concerns?

While winter dry skin is common, persistent dry skin, scaling, flaking, and irritation aren’t something you should just have to live with. If regular moisturizing for two weeks doesn’t improve your winter skin concerns, if you have a skin condition like eczema, psoriasis, or hives that worsens in the winter, or if you suspect you have frostbite, visit a dermatologist.

Glowy Winter Skin is Within Your Reach

With simple adjustments to your lifestyle and skincare routine, you can have glowy, comfortable, gorgeous skin all year round. (Even when it’s too cold outside to show it off!)