Red, itchy, flaking skin. If your skin feels dry during winter, you’re not alone. With the cold air outside, and heated air inside, the low relative humidity causes our skin to lose moisture.
Dry skin (xerosis) can affect any part of the body, but is particularly common on the lower legs, arms, scalp, and hands. Winter, and ageing, makes it worse.
Caring for dry winter skin
Normal, healthy skin has a layer of natural oils (sebum), good bacteria and other microorganisms we need. When we wash our hands, shower, or bathe, we remove these.
As we age, the epidermis thins, and the rate at which new skin cells are produced slows down. This means the outer protective barrier is less effective at retaining moisture.
Stick to lukewarm water
Water that’s too hot can strip your skin of its natural oils. Use lukewarm water instead.
Take shorter baths or showers
Consider reducing the length of the shower and bath. Prolonged exposure to water can disrupt the skin’s barrier functioning,leading to increased water loss.
Research says young children only need to bathe twice a week. It may be possible in your climate to skip a daily shower or bath sometimes.
Pat your skin dry gently after bathing, rather than rubbing your skin.
Rethink Soaps
Avoid harsh, heavily fragranced, and high-lathering soaps.
Instead, opt for gentle, soap-free cleansers or moisturising washes that are specifically formulated for dry and sensitive skin.
Ingredients that can help dry skin:
- Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant, meaning it attracts and binds water to the skin. It can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, effectively hydrating the skin and reducing water loss.
- Ceramides are lipids (fats) that make up over 50 percent of the skin’s outer layer. Dry skin often has a deficiency in ceramides.
- Glycerin also helps to strengthen the skin barrier, improve skin smoothness and softness, and protect against irritants.
Moisturising cream
Apply a thick, emollient-rich moisturiser immediately after showering, while your skin is still damp, and reapply throughout the day.
Make sure you’re not dehydrated by drinking plenty of water and wear natural fibres rather than scratchy synthetics. You could also consider obtaining a humidifier.
Dry skin can be confused with several similar conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, and contact dermatitis. It’s also important to make sure there isn’t an underlying health issue causing your dry skin.
Speak to your doctor or dermatologist for personalised advice.
For more information
- Australian College of Dermatologists: Xerosis
- Personal Care Insights: Australian research explores phytosphingosine-based ceramide formulations for atopic skin care
- Harvard Health Publishing: Showering Daily — Is It Necessary?
