From Dry to Dewy: The Best Remedies for Winter Skin Hydration

❄️ How to Get Rid of Dry Skin in Winter: Your Ultimate Guide to Glowing, Hydrated Skin

Let’s be honest—winter is magical in many ways. Hot chocolate, cozy sweaters, festive lights, and long nights under warm blankets make it a time of year that many of us eagerly look forward to. But winter is also the season of dry, flaky skin.

Between the biting cold winds outside and the drying effects of central heating indoors, our skin takes a beating during the winter months. If you’re dealing with itchy, irritated, or flaky skin, you’re not alone. The good news is that you don’t have to suffer all season. With a few simple changes to your skincare routine and some easy lifestyle habits, you can get rid of dry skin in winter and keep your complexion glowing all year long.

Let’s dive into why winter causes dryness, what you can do to prevent it, and how to heal your skin when it’s already feeling rough.

🌬️ Why Does Skin Get So Dry in Winter?

Dry skin, also known as xerosis, becomes more common during the winter months due to environmental stressors like:

Cold air with low humidity that strips moisture from your skin

Indoor heating systems that make the air even drier

Hot showers and baths that deplete your skin’s natural oils

Wind exposure that breaks down the skin’s protective barrier

Wearing layers of clothing that cause friction and irritation

All of these factors can weaken your skin’s barrier, causing it to lose hydration faster than usual. The result? Flaky patches, rough texture, irritation, and that dreaded “tight” feeling.

💧 How to Treat Dry Skin in Winter

Here are the top dermatologist-approved tips for treating and preventing dry skin during the cold months.

1. Create a Moisture-Friendly Environment

Your skin’s environment plays a crucial role in how it behaves. During winter, central heating systems dry out the air, reducing humidity levels and ultimately pulling moisture out of your skin. Combat this by:

Using a humidifier: Place one in your bedroom or living room to maintain a healthy indoor humidity level (ideally around 40–50%).

Adjusting your thermostat: Keep it warm but not too hot—excess heat can worsen skin dryness.

Ventilating your space: Avoid stale, dry air by occasionally cracking a window or using an air purifier to keep the air circulating.

2. Hydrate From the Inside Out

We often underestimate the power of internal hydration, especially in winter when we’re not sweating as much. But don’t let the cooler temperatures fool you—your skin still needs plenty of water.

Drink 6–8 glasses of water daily, and increase your intake if you consume a lot of caffeine or alcohol.

Incorporate water-rich foods into your diet: cucumbers, oranges, celery, and watermelon are excellent choices.

Take omega-3 supplements or eat fatty fish like salmon to improve your skin’s lipid barrier.

3. Upgrade Your Moisturizer

In the warmer months, a lightweight moisturizer might do the trick. But when winter rolls in, it’s time to swap it out for something richer.

What to look for in a winter moisturizer:

Occlusives: Ingredients like shea butter, lanolin, and petrolatum lock moisture into your skin.

Humectants: Hyaluronic acid and glycerin draw water from the air into your skin.

Emollients: Ceramides, squalane, and fatty acids smooth and strengthen the skin barrier.

Pro tip: Apply moisturizer immediately after washing your face or showering to trap in hydration before it evaporates.

4. Add Antioxidants to Your Routine

Free radicals are everywhere—even in winter—and they contribute to aging and inflammation. Antioxidants help shield your skin from environmental stress and keep it looking fresh.

Look for serums with Vitamin C, E, or ferulic acid.

Antioxidants protect your skin barrier while promoting a more radiant complexion.

Bonus: Vitamin C also helps boost collagen production, which is a great perk during colder months when skin looks more tired or dull.

5. Don’t Skip Sunscreen (Even in Winter!)

It’s easy to think sunscreen is only necessary in summer, but that’s a dangerous myth. UV rays are present year-round, and they reflect off snow and ice, intensifying exposure.

Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, especially on your face and neck.

Reapply every 2 hours if you’re outdoors for extended periods.

Choose a sunscreen with hydrating ingredients to avoid that dry, chalky feel.

6. Gentle Cleansing is Key

Harsh cleansers can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated. During winter, it’s best to switch to gentle, non-foaming cleansers that maintain your skin’s natural pH.

Avoid cleansers with alcohol, sulfates, or heavy fragrances.

Use lukewarm water instead of hot to avoid drying out the skin.

Try micellar water or cleansing balms that remove dirt and makeup without stripping your moisture barrier.

🧖‍♀️ Evening Routine: How to Heal Dry Skin Overnight

Nighttime is when your skin regenerates, making it the perfect time to repair any dryness from the day. Follow these steps for a deeply nourishing overnight routine:

Double cleanse (if wearing makeup) with an oil-based cleanser followed by a hydrating cleanser.

Use a gentle exfoliant 2–3 times per week to remove dead skin cells (AHAs like lactic acid or BHAs like salicylic acid are best).

Apply a serum rich in antioxidants and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

Massage a facial oil into the skin to lock in the serum.

Seal it in with a heavy-duty night cream or overnight hydrating mask.

Sleep on your back with a silk pillowcase to reduce irritation and moisture loss.

Check your skin in the morning. If it feels plump and dewy, your overnight products are working. If it still feels dry, increase your nighttime hydration.

🧴 How to Exfoliate Without Overdoing It

Exfoliating is essential in winter to slough off dry, flaky skin. However, over-exfoliation can worsen dryness.

Use a chemical exfoliator 2–3 times a week.

Skip harsh physical scrubs with large particles, which can cause microtears.

Follow exfoliation with a deep moisturizer or overnight mask.

Avoid using exfoliants and retinol on the same night unless your skin is used to it.

🧊 Morning Routine: Gentle and Protective

In the morning, your focus should be on protection and hydration:

Skip the harsh cleanser—rinse your face with lukewarm water and gently pat dry.

Apply a hydrating serum, especially if your skin feels tight.

Follow with moisturizer, choosing one that suits your skin type (gel-based for oily, cream-based for dry).

Top it off with sunscreen.

For those with extra dry patches, keep a hydrating mist or balm in your bag for mid-day touch-ups.

💡 Daily Winter Skin Tips

Aside from skincare, there are other things you can do every day to keep your skin soft and comfortable.

Avoid long, hot showers: Stick to 5–10 minutes in lukewarm water.

Layer your skincare: Start light and build up to thicker creams.

Wear gloves and scarves to protect skin from windburn.

Stay active: Boosts circulation and helps keep your skin glowing.

Use body lotions after every shower, focusing on elbows, knees, and hands.

💬 Final Thoughts: Build a Routine That Works for You

Dry skin in winter isn’t just uncomfortable—it can also affect your confidence and overall skin health. But with the right care, it’s completely manageable. By building a nourishing skincare routine, staying hydrated, and protecting your skin from environmental stressors, you’ll not only relieve dryness but also boost your skin’s glow, texture, and overall resilience.

So yes, winter is here—but that doesn’t mean dry skin has to be.

🧼 Recommended Products for Winter Skin:

Hydrating Serums: Look for ones with hyaluronic acid or glycerin.

Rich Moisturizers: Try barrier-repair creams with ceramides and shea butter.

Antioxidant Serums: Vitamin C serums that are stabilized for daily use.

Sunscreen: Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ with hydrating ingredients.

Humidifiers: Essential for combating indoor dryness.

Ready for Radiant Winter Skin?

Consistency is key. Start making small changes today, and by the time winter reaches its peak, your skin will thank you. Want more tips? Let me know, and I’d be happy to build a personalized winter skincare routine just for you!

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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