7 Tips for Keeping Your Skin Hydrated During Cold Weather

With the cold weather of winter comes dry, tight-feeling skin. Wisconsin winters are especially hard on hands, lips and faces. The good news: a few easy habits help keep your skin feeling soft and comfortable all season. Here are 7 of the best tips for keeping your skin hydrated during cold weather.

What is dry skin?

Dry skin, or xerosis, happens when the skin can't hold on to enough moisture. It can look flaky or rough and feel tight or itchy. It can happen any time of year, but it's most common in winter, when the air outside is cold and dry and the air inside is dried out by the furnace.

How does cold air affect your skin?

Cold air holds very little moisture, and indoor heating dries the air even more. That low humidity pulls water from the skin, which can leave it feeling tight, flaky and chapped, especially on hands, knuckles and lips. Wind adds to it.

How to keep your skin hydrated in cold weather

From using a humidifier to rethinking your shower, here are 7 simple tips for keeping your skin hydrated during cold weather.

Tip #1: Use a Humidifier

A humidifier adds moisture back to the air in your home, especially in the bedroom overnight. Many people find somewhere around 40–50% humidity comfortable in winter.

Tip #2: Moisturize Regularly

Moisturize at least twice a day, and always right after you wash, while your skin is still a little damp. Rich, simple moisturizers work best in winter. Look for ingredients like shea butter, tallow and jojoba oil. Our Whipped Tallow is a rich daily moisturizer for face and body, and the Solid Lotion Bar is easy to keep in a coat pocket for dry hands.

Tip #3: Avoid Long, Hot Showers

A long, hot shower feels great when it's cold outside, but hot water strips the skin's natural oils. Use lukewarm water and keep showers to 10 minutes or less. A shower oil cleans while leaving a light layer of moisture behind, so skin feels soft after you towel off.

Tip #4: Choose Gentle Cleansers

Harsh, heavily fragranced cleansers can leave skin feeling tight and dry. Choose a gentle bar or cleanser with a short ingredient list. A handmade goat milk soap has a creamy lather and keeps its natural glycerin. Browse our skincare for dry skin.

Tip #5: Go Easy on Alcohol and Caffeine

Alcohol and lots of caffeine can leave you dehydrated. If you enjoy them, balance them with plenty of water.

Tip #6: Drink Plenty of Water

Staying hydrated is part of keeping your whole body, skin included, feeling its best.

Tip #7: Protect Yourself from the Elements

When you're outside in the cold, cover up. A hat and scarf protect your face, gloves protect your hands, and a lip balm keeps lips from chapping in the wind.

When to see a doctor

If your skin is cracked, bleeding, very itchy or doesn't get better with gentle care, or if you have a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, talk with a dermatologist about what's right for your skin.

Conclusion

Dry winter skin is common, but a few easy habits make a big difference: add moisture to the air, moisturize right after washing, keep showers short and lukewarm, and protect your skin outdoors. For more, see our guide to the best soap for dry skin in winter.

This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. For a skin condition, talk with a dermatologist or your doctor.