How to Take Care of Dry Skin in Winter (Updated 2024)

Almost everyone looks forward to the first snowfall of the year. It’s exciting to wake up to a winter wonderland, especially when it’s enough snow to go sledding or get the day off of school. At the same time, you trade warm weather for freezing temperatures, which can affect your skin. Have you ever noticed that when winter arrives, your skin starts itching? It may turn red and dry, which isn’t uncommon. Dry winter weather can cause epidermal irritations that stick around long into the spring. You don’t have to spend this year with uncomfortable, inflamed skin. Read about how to take care of that dry skin in the winter so you can enjoy the holidays and outdoor activities with the rest of your friends and family. 1. Buy a Humidifier Cold air naturally doesn’t hold onto moisture like warm air. That’s why people closer to the equator experience more humidity than those in northern climates. Your skin could become irritated because the air is dry, so buy a humidifier for your house. A humidifier will replace lost moisture in your home to soothe your skin. As it naturally moisturizes, it will reduce your natural oil production so you don’t have to deal with an oily shine in addition to dry skin.  2. Switch Your Soaps Think about what soap you use to wash your hands. Is it meant as hand soap or is it something stronger, like dish soap? Some soaps contain ingredients made for stripping dishes of dried grease and oil. They’ll do the same to your hands because they dry out the encrusted food so it’s easy to scrub off. Switch your soaps to products labeled as moisturizing or gentle on sensitive skin. You should feel an immediate difference the next time you wash your hands. Even if you work in a position that requires constant handwashing, the right soap could make all the difference. 3. Avoid Alcohol Products Some of your skincare products could make your dryness issues worse in the winter. Alcohol is a common ingredient in those kinds of products because the type based in fat can be nourishing. Others like isopropyl and denatured alcohol dehydrate multiple layers of skin, especially in toners.  Look for alcohol-free products to see if your dry, irritated skin goes away. If you can’t find any, do your research to ensure that the ingredients are all skincare safe. 4. Use Eczema Cream Your dry skin may be an underlying condition known as eczema. It typically presents itself with red rashes in various spots on the body. These spots may itch or burn, especially after washing your hands or showering. The solution to your seasonal dry skin issues could be the active ingredient in eczema cream, which is known as hydrocortisone. It’s an anti-inflammatory, mild steroid that’s available over the counter. Look for this ingredient in soothing lotions and use it after you wash your hands for immediate relief. 5. Limit Your Shower Time You may enjoy a hot relaxing shower, but it could leave you with drier skin than you had before you turned on the water. That’s because hot water dries out your skin, especially if you expose your body to it for extended periods. Limit your shower time to no longer than ten minutes if you want to use hot water or set the water to a lukewarm temperature and take your time. Learn How to Take Care of Dry Skin in Winter It’s hard to immediately know the right solution for your dry skin by reading about possible solutions. Explore all your options by trying them out individually. You may find that a humidifier solves the problem or an eczema lotion. Take your time and you’ll find the best way to cure your dry skin and enjoy a warm, comfortable winter. Updated on May 3, 2024