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Winter Happens Every Year
- Monica Morrison
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- Dec 10, 2025
- 2 min read
In cooler months, your skin often becomes drier, more sensitive, and prone to irritation due to lower humidity, cold air, and indoor heating. These conditions weaken the skin’s protective barrier, leading to moisture loss, redness, and flare-ups of conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
🍂 Key Effects of Cooler Weather on Skin
Dryness & Tightness - Cold air holds less moisture, and indoor heating further depletes humidity. This strips water from the skin, leaving it dry, tight, and sometimes itchy.
Barrier Weakening - The stratum corneum (outer skin layer) loses lipids and water, causing transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This makes skin more vulnerable to irritation and sensitivity.
Redness & Inflammation - Moving between cold outdoor air and warm indoor air causes blood vessels to expand and contract quickly, leading to redness and inflammation.
Aggravation of Skin Conditions - Chronic conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis often worsen in winter due to dryness and environmental stress.
Chapped Lips & Cracked Hands - Exposed areas (lips, fingers, cheeks) are especially prone to cracking and discomfort.
Age-Related Changes - As we get older, skin naturally loses moisture. Post-menopausal women, for example, may notice more severe dryness during winter.
🧴 Practical Skincare Adjustments
Switch to richer moisturizers: Creams and oils help lock in hydration better than lightweight lotions.
Use gentle cleansers: Avoid harsh soaps that strip natural oils.
Limit hot showers: Hot water worsens dryness; lukewarm is better.
Add hydration indoors: Humidifiers can restore moisture to heated environments.
Protect exposed skin: Gloves, scarves, and lip balms prevent cracking.
Exfoliate lightly: Removes dead skin cells but avoid over-exfoliation, which can irritate.
⚠️ Risks & Considerations
Excessive dryness may signal underlying conditions like atopic dermatitis or even systemic issues (e.g., kidney disease). Persistent problems should be evaluated by a dermatologist.
Extreme cold exposure can cause frostbite or trench foot, especially in unprotected areas like fingers, toes, nose, and ears.
Behavioral triggers like frequent handwashing with harsh soaps, wearing irritating fabrics (like wool), or using heavily fragranced products can worsen winter skin woes.
👉 In short: cooler months challenge your skin’s moisture balance and resilience. With protective routines—hydration, barrier support, and gentle care—you can keep your complexion healthy and comfortable all season long. Try some of my favorites!
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