how to prevent and treat dry skin in winter months

Fighting dry skin in winter months can seem like a never-ending battle. Exposing your skin to the drastic range of elements from freezing temperatures to hot showers can mean that even the most perfected skincare routine will need some adjusting. Luckily, just a few strategic changes to your winter skincare routine can mean the difference between flaky, dry skin and a perfectly moisturized glow.

With winter right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start planning for the seasonal shift in our skincare routines. We tend to see more dry skin in winter compared to the rest of the year, mainly because it’s facing an onslaught of opposites: biting wind and dry, icy temperatures versus harsh indoor heating and hot showers. These extremes that barrage our skin mean that it can have a hard time finding the optimal balance.

Luckily, /skin regimen/ products are primed to help your skin defend itself successfully against whatever winter can throw at it. But since we believe in a holistic approach to self-care, what you put in your body is just as important as what you put on it. Pair these moisturizing products with a few simple lifestyle swaps and you’ll have a winter skincare routine to keep your skin happy and hydrated all season long. Make dry skin in winter months a thing of the past.

10 Winter Skincare Tips to Relieve Dry Skin

LIFESTYLE SWAPS

1. STAY HYDRATED

Dewy, healthy skin starts from within. Remembering to drink water is always easier during the hot months, but keep in mind that your body needs just as much water in winter as summer. One of the most essential winter skincare tips is to make sure you’re staying hydrated, and that means drinking water throughout the day. If the idea of drinking cold water in the winter is a turn-off, try hot water with lemon for seasonally-appropriate (and hydrating) choice.

2. TRY A HUMIDIFIER

Neutralize dry, tight winter skin by maximizing the amount of water you have in the air in your home. Vogue stresses the benefits of investing in a humidifier this time of the year: while you can’t control what your skin faces outdoors, humidifiers keep your home at a moist-enough level to protect the moisture barrier of dry skin in winter.

3. SWITCH UP YOUR DIET

With the changing of the seasons often comes the temptation to overindulge. Instead, choose to eat a variety of fresh, colorful foods, and especially those that have high water content. Things like bright, crisp salads, citrus fruits (with crucial Vitamin C for this time of year), hearty veggie stews and spicy curries will fuel your body with the nutrients necessary to make your skin glow from the inside out.

4. GET SOME SUNLIGHT

With shorter days (and many of us working inside for the few hours the sun is out) it’s easy to miss out on our daily Vitamin D boost. Another one of the essential winter skincare tips is to try to step outside at lunch — even if it’s just for a quick walk around the building — to try and get some natural sunlight. If you can’t find the time, we suggest a little light therapy: there are great, low-profile lamps available that are perfect for your desktop, and that mimic a bright, sunny day for an immediate mood boost.

5. SHOWER SMARTER

We know it seems counterintuitive to not take a long, steamy shower during the winter months, but your skin will thank you if you fight the urge. In order to ensure the natural oils and moisture barriers of your skin are protected, it’s recommended that you try to only spend 5-10 minutes in a lukewarm shower. And the same goes for your hands — avoid a rough touch from cracked, dry skin in winter by washing them in cooler water. Save the heat for your daily cup of hot water with lemon!

6. CHOOSE YOUR CLOTHING WISELY

Winter clothing often has a reputation for being bulky, thick and insulating, but it can also be a potential trigger for dry skin. Certain fabrics like wool are known to be itchy, which can often result in dry, irritated skin. But don’t toss that sweater just yet: just make sure to keep a protective layer that blocks potentially irritating fabrics from directly touching your skin. A soft, breathable layer will guarantee that you stay warm without sacrificing skin health.

PRODUCT SWAPS

1. SWITCH UP YOUR CLEANSER

Some cleansers can work well enough during the rest of the year, but end up extra drying to winter skin. The /skin regimen/ Cleansing Cream is a super gentle, foaming face wash, free of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate. This non-drying cleanser contains Longevity Complex™, superfood extracts and a high-tech molecule that counteract the effects of stress and aging factors that lead to dry skin in winter. It gently removes traces of makeup, pollution residue, dirt and dust, without drying out your skin or affecting its natural oils.

2. EXFOLIATE

Getting essential moisture might be one of our top winter skincare tips, but no matter how many products you layer onto your dry skin in winter, they can’t do their job if there’s a barrier of dead skin cells in the way. Exfoliating a few times a week helps to slough off dead skin cells, and is especially effective when followed by rich, extra moisturizing products.

3. NOURISH

Once your skin is exfoliated, your best defense against dry, depleted winter skin is a few drops of a hydrating face oil. Tulsi, also known as “holy basil,” has long been used for its adaptogenic properties — meaning it helps eliminate toxins and reduce inflammation. Bonus: it’s 100% natural, so it restores radiance and repairs with no questionable added ingredients. And if you’re suffering from serious seasonal dryness, you can even use a few drops before using a cleansing cream for even more intense hydration.

4. TARGET WITH SPECIALIZED SERUMS

Sometimes the basics just aren’t enough. Amplify the power of your winter skincare routine by adding in serums that target and correct specific issues. A hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid helps to lock in moisture levels and return dry winter skin to its optimal level of hydration. And since your body craves Vitamin C, especially during the time of the year when sunlight is at its most sparse, a topical Vitamin C booster is another great addition. Aside from protecting the youth of your skin, this concentrate helps to combat dullness that can result from dry winter skin.

5. INVEST IN A RICH MOISTURIZER

Our massageable, balm-like Tripeptide Cream is a daily anti-aging face moisturizer designed to protect while leaving skin firm and hydrated. Featuring Tripeptide-5, it mimics the naturally-occurring action of proteins in the skin to stimulate new collagen production, with 100% of women reporting softer skin and 95% confirming significantly more radiant complexion. This protective moisturizer helps stop the effects of environmental oxidative stress (like urban dust and UV rays) while firming and restoring vital moisture all in one, leaving you ready to put your best face forward, no matter the temperature.

Dealing with dry skin in winter may be a yearly occurrence, but that doesn’t mean you have to face it unprepared. With winter just around the corner, the battle is half-won when you choose a smart, science-backed winter skincare routine to defend against the elements. By making sure you’re staying properly hydrated, making small adjustments in your diet and lifestyle, and swapping in an effective skincare routine, dry skin in winter will be a thing of the past. We hope these winter skincare tips are helpful in keeping your skin glowy, hydrated and looking its best well into the springtime.