What Causes Dry Skin in Winter? (And How to Fix It)
and the simple routine that keeps skin soft all winter.
Cold air outside and central heating inside both pull moisture from your skin. Here's what causes dry, tight winter skin, how to fix it, and the simple routine that keeps skin soft all winter.
Written by Jasmin | Years of skincare know-how & all things Dermaworks
6 min read
The short answer
Cold air outside, heating inside.Both pull moisture from your skin. Hydrate, then lock it in.
Dry skin in winter is caused by cold, dry air outside and central heating inside, which both pull moisture out of your skin, while wind and hot showers strip away the natural oils that hold it in. Fix it by applying hyaluronic acid serum to damp skin, then locking it in with a rich, nourishing moisturiser, morning and night.
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Tight after cleansing. Rough patches that make-up clings to. Skin that looks dull and feels uncomfortable from the moment you step outside. If that sounds familiar, you're not imagining it: dry skin in winter is one of the most common skin problems in the UK, and it hits almost everyone. Dry skin in winter is caused by cold, dry air outside and central heating inside, which both pull moisture out of your skin, while wind and hot showers strip away the natural oils that hold it in. The fix is simple: flood your skin with hydration using hyaluronic acid, then lock it in with a rich, nourishing moisturiser, morning and night.
The good news? Winter skin doesn't have to mean dry, tight, flaky skin. With a few smart swaps, your skin can feel soft, plump and comfortable all the way through to spring. Here's exactly what's going on, and how to fix it.
What causes dry skin in winter?
Your skin is constantly losing water into the air around it, and it relies on a protective outer layer, its moisture barrier, to keep that water in. In summer, warm, humid air slows that loss down. In winter, everything works against you: the air is colder and drier, the heating is on, and your skin loses water faster than it can replace it.
The result is skin that feels tight and rough, looks dull and flaky, and can turn red and sensitive. Fine lines look deeper too, because dehydrated skin loses its plump, bouncy look. Even oily skin can be dehydrated in winter: shiny on the surface, tight underneath.
5 winter habits that dry out your skin
Cold air outside
Cold air holds far less moisture than warm air, so every time you step outside, the air is pulling water from your skin. Add a biting wind and your face, which is always exposed, takes the brunt of it.
Central heating inside
Then you come home and turn the heating up. Warm, dry indoor air keeps drawing moisture out of your skin all evening and all night, so you get hit from both sides.
Long, hot showers
There's nothing better on a freezing morning, but hot water strips away the natural oils that keep moisture locked in. Lukewarm water and a quicker shower make a real difference.
Harsh cleansing and scrubbing
Foaming cleansers and gritty scrubs can leave your skin squeaky clean and stripped. When skin is already dry, that "tight" feeling after washing is a warning sign, not a sign it's clean.
Not changing your routine
The light moisturiser that was perfect in July often isn't enough in January. Your skin needs more hydration and more nourishment in winter, so your routine needs to change with the seasons.
How to fix dry winter skin
1. Flood your skin with hydration. This is where hyaluronic acid really earns its place. Nature's moisture magnet, it holds up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, so it pulls hydration into your skin and leaves it instantly softer, plumper and more comfortable. Our Hyaluronic Acid Serum pairs botanical hyaluronic acid with organic aloe vera, glycerol and vitamins C and E, in a lightweight serum that sinks straight in.
2. Apply it to damp skin. Hyaluronic acid works best when it has water to hold on to. Pat your face lightly after cleansing so it's still slightly damp, then apply a few drops straight away.
3. Lock it in with a rich moisturiser. Hyaluronic acid draws moisture in; a moisturiser seals it there. In winter, choose a richer texture. Our Pure Radiance Face Cream has a rich, deeply nourishing texture that melts into your skin, with hyaluronic acid, shea butter, vitamins A, C and E and nine nourishing botanicals, so it wraps your skin in lasting hydration from morning to night.
4. Cleanse gently. Swap harsh foams and scrubs for our dual-sided face cloths. One side deeply cleanses, the other gently exfoliates away dry, flaky skin, and they remove even waterproof make-up with just water, so your skin stays clean without feeling stripped. Gently clearing those dry flakes also helps your serum and moisturiser sink in.
5. Keep your actives going, with support. Don't abandon retinol and vitamin C just because it's cold. Keep using them, and follow with hyaluronic acid and moisturiser to keep your skin comfortable. If your skin feels dry or irritated, drop retinol back to 2–3 nights a week until it settles.
6. Wear SPF every morning. UV rays reach your skin on grey winter days too, and they're one of the biggest causes of visible ageing.
Your winter skincare routine
Hydrate, nourish and protect by day; renew and restore by night. Here's the routine that keeps skin soft and comfortable all winter long:
Your routine at a glance
What to use, and when
Morning
- Cleanse with face cloths
- 20% Vitamin C Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid Serum on damp skin
- Pure Radiance Face Cream
- SPF
Evening
- Cleanse with face cloths
- 2.5% Retinol Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Pure Radiance Face Cream
Is it dry skin or a damaged skin barrier?
Dry skin feels tight, rough and flaky, and it feels better quickly once you hydrate and moisturise. A stressed skin barrier goes further: your skin stings when you apply products, turns red easily, and stays uncomfortable even after moisturising. Winter weather, over-cleansing and using too many strong actives at once are the usual culprits.
If that sounds like your skin, go back to basics for a while: gentle cleansing with lukewarm water, hyaluronic acid on damp skin and a rich moisturiser, morning and night. Pause retinol and exfoliating acids until your skin feels comfortable again, then bring them back slowly, one at a time. If your skin is very sore, cracked or itchy, speak to your GP or pharmacist.
Winter skin mistakes to avoid
Using hyaluronic acid without moisturiser. In dry winter air, hydration needs sealing in. Always follow your serum with a moisturiser.
Scrubbing away flakes. Rough scrubs make dry skin more irritated. A soft cloth gently lifts flakes away without stripping your skin.
Forgetting your neck and hands. They face the same cold and wind as your face. Take your serum and moisturiser down your neck, and keep a hand cream nearby.
Only moisturising once a day. Winter skin needs hydration morning and night, so it never gets the chance to dry out.
Why Dermaworks for dry winter skin?
Because great skincare isn't about one hero ingredient; it's about products that work together. Our lightweight Hyaluronic Acid Serum floods your skin with hydration, and our rich Pure Radiance Face Cream, made in England, locks it in and nourishes. We've formulated our own skincare since 2014, and every ingredient has a purpose.
Our customers rate our hyaluronic acid serum 4.5 out of 5, and everything is backed by our 60-day money-back guarantee. Get both together in our Women's Hydrating Skincare Set for £29.95, or add the face cloths with our Women's Hydrating Skincare Bundle for £41.50, saving £4.90. Shopping for him? Our Men's Hydrating Skincare Set does the same job for men's skin.
FAQs
Your questions, answered
Why is my face so dry in winter?
Is hyaluronic acid good for dry skin in winter?
How do I look after my skin barrier in winter?
Should I stop using retinol in winter?
Do I need SPF in winter?
All winter long
Soft, comfortable skin.Whatever the weather.
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