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Dry skin in winter? Seasonal skincare and tips to try
Written byEmily Coates
Reviewed byH&B Regulatory Affairs
Dry skin playing up? From hydration tips to customer-loved cold-weather skincare, take control of your routine by protecting your skin barrier and locking in moisture when it matters most
Our top picks
SOS for dry skin
HEMPE
HEMPE SOS Skin Balm 30ml
£15.99
Nourish at night
Weleda
Weleda Skin Food Nourishing Night Cream 40ml
Back Your Body Sale
£11.96
RRP £15.95
Get the glass skin effect
seoulera
Seoulera Glow Mask – Botanical & Vegan Korean Sheet Mask (Pack of 5) 5Pack
Back Your Body Sale
£14.50
£29.00
Dry skin can start to flare up in winter, as cold air, icy winds and central heating team up against your skin. Just like you wrap up in jumpers, scarves and gloves, your skin barrier (which is the outer layer that helps protect your skin) needs extra protection to stay comfortable and hydrated.1 As temperatures drop, moisture disappears fast, leaving skin feeling tight, flaky and more prone to redness or breakouts. When that summer glow fades, dryness can take centre stage, making skin look dull and feel uncomfortable.
Winter doesn’t have to be all bad news for your skin. With season-specific skincare on the rise, refreshing your routine has never been easier. Expect hydration-supporting tips, customer-loved favourites and new-in hero formulas that help keep skin nourished when the chill sets in.
So, how can you ditch the dryness? Here are our winter skin tips:
However tempting it may be to turn up the heat in the shower on those chilly mornings, it won’t do your skin any favours. Heat can cause further damage to your already-delicate skin barrier, which may cause your skin to become even drier.2 If you can’t skip the hot shower, wash your face separately with lukewarm water, then let a hydrating mask get to work while you shower.
We’re quick to focus on hydration in summer, but winter deserves just as much attention. When humidity drops, skin finds it harder to hold onto moisture, making dry skin feel tighter, duller and more uncomfortable than usual. Keeping your fluid intake up helps support skin hydration from the inside out. When skin lacks moisture, it reflects less light, which can make fine lines and wrinkles stand out more. If plain water isn’t cutting it, try mixing things up with a new favourite from our round-up of refreshing sips or mocktail must-haves.
After a long winter day, your skin doesn’t want a deep clean – it wants a kind one. Over-cleansing can strip natural oils, weakening the skin barrier and leaving dry skin feeling tighter and more delicate. Gentle, pH-balanced formulas help support the barrier and reduce moisture loss.¹ That’s why softer formulas shine in colder months. Customer favourites like Weleda Gentle Milk Cleanser cleanse without over-drying, while Skin Food Nourishing Day Cream helps lock in moisture and comfort winter-stressed skin.
Using exfoliating products regularly can damage the skin’s barrier, but it’s still beneficial to remove dead skin cells. So, if you’re going to exfoliate, choose a gentle one like VitaSkin Vitamin C Gentle Daily Exfoliator up to three times a week and always remember to moisturise afterwards.
A good moisturiser for winter plumps up skin and helps to brighten up your complexion. If red skin is your main concern, look for one containing niacinamide and soothing vitamin B5 (aka pantothenic acid). So, forget about your lightweight summer lotion for the time being and upgrade to a richer, more nourishing face cream like UpCircle Face Moisturiser with Argan Powder.
Chapped lips are just another (annoying) indicator that our skin’s barrier is struggling. One of the best things you can do to tackle dry skin on lips is to regularly apply a moisturising balm with an SPF like Dr Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Lip Balm. Developing dry skin on your hands in winter is common, so make sure you always have a trusty, rich cream like Balmonds Intensive Hand Cream in your handbag, ready to tackle those cracked palms.
If you naturally have cool-toned skin with red and pink undertones, chances are this will only get more pronounced during winter. This is mainly due to temperature changes, like coming in from the cold to a warm home, which causes blood vessels to expand and contract,3 sometimes causing itchy-feeling skin. Why not choose a chunky blanket instead?
Yes, however strange it may seem when there’s not a single speck of sun in the sky, a good sunscreen will still serve you well as UV rays still make their way through the clouds. Choose one with added moisture and apply to your face, neck, hands and any other exposed skin to avoid further skin discolouration.3 The latest Q+A range features a moisturiser with added factor 50 too, such as the Peptide Daily Facial Sunscreen with SPF 50.
Choose a gentle facial polish to help free those blocked pores, like Super Facialist Salicylic Acid Anti-Blemish Purifying Cleansing Wash, which contains salicylic acid. Don’t let the word acid put you off. This is your go-to for gently clearing away pore-clogging build-up, helping skin feel fresher and smoother without going overboard.
When it comes to blemishes, consider swapping your current treatments for a gentle one with natural AHAs and salicylic acid during the winter months, like the Dr Organic Skin Clear Treatment Gel. If these problems persist or worsen, please seek the advice of your GP who may be able to prescribe medical products if necessary.
Our favourite products for your winter skincare routine
From rich creams to comforting cleansers, these cold-weather heroes make it easier to build the right routine, with customer reviews that spill the secrets on why everyone loves them.
This lightweight face gel blends aloe vera, plant extracts and snail gel to help soothe dry, winter-stressed skin while leaving it feeling soft, plump and refreshed. The cooling texture absorbs quickly and works well when skin feels tight or dull. Apply a small amount to the face and neck after cleansing, then follow with your favourite moisturiser once the gel has fully absorbed.
What’s everybody saying about it?
Kirsty – 5/5 stars “Better than a moisturising cream. Very good, hydrates skin well.”
Kamil – 5/5 stars “Very good product. Highly recommended. Perfect for my dry skin.”
Made with soothing calendula, hydrating viola tricolour and cold-pressed sacha inchi oil, this rich night cream features key ingredients from the iconic Weleda Skin Food range. It helps reduce moisture loss and supports skin while you rest. Smooth onto the face, neck and décolleté each night as the final step after cleansing and let your skin wake up feeling nourished and comfortable.
What’s everybody saying about it?
Julesronnie – 5/5 stars “A must have for dry mature skin. Sometimes I use it as a day cream when the weather is cold and windy.”
Roshy124 – 5/5 stars “Nice night cream again, same as the day cream, this will be amazing to use in cold winters.”
Inspired by Korean Beauty routines, this botanical, vegan jelly sheet mask helps skin feel hydrated, smooth and comfortable in one simple step. Aloe vera, centella and nymphaea alba flower work together to support moisture levels and leave skin looking refreshed, with no need for extra serum or cream. Apply the sheet evenly to the face, leave on for 15–20 minutes, then remove and gently pat in any remaining essence.
What’s everybody saying about it?
Abigail V – 4/5 stars “The mask really does give that ‘glassy skin’ look – my skin feels smooth and radiant, almost like the Korean glow everyone talks about.”
Chloe A – 5/5 stars “The mask is amazing! Even after the first use, my skin felt so soft and looked so radiant.”
*Taken from branded websites
This lightweight serum supports skin when it feels stressed. Nettle extract, hemp oil and marine microalgae help comfort the skin, support the barrier and maintain hydration, while the fast-absorbing texture keeps skin feeling fresh, not heavy. Plus, it’s vegan, cruelty-free and palm oil-free. Apply to freshly cleansed skin on the face, neck and décolleté.
What’s everybody saying about it?
Ruth – 5/5 stars “This is my second order of rescue serum and no doubt won’t be my last. I’ve noticed a difference in the redness and had fewer breakouts since using it.”
Sue H – 5/5 stars “Another very lovely product from Raven Botanicals. I use it with the cleansing oil and moisturiser and it keeps my skin soft, blemish-free and moisturised. Gorgeous smell and texture – just perfect and highly recommended.”
*Taken from branded websites
Designed for areas that need extra care, this multi-purpose balm helps relieve dryness and support skin comfort. CBD, shea butter, jojoba, squalene and vitamin E work together to nourish the skin barrier and help maintain moisture, leaving skin feeling softer and more comfortable. Suitable for all skin types, including delicate-feeling skin, just make sure to patch test before full application.
What’s everybody saying about it?
Agnieska L – 5/5 stars “Absolutely brilliant balm – my skin’s new best friend! It’s a little pot of magic – soothing, non-greasy and perfect for calming dry skin. With natural ingredients and CBD for extra relief, it’s become my go-to rescue balm in my kit bag.”
Emma – 5/5 stars “All-round balm! Love this stuff. Always have one in the bag.”
*Taken from branded websites
The final say
The skincare that carried you through summer won’t always cut it once frosty days roll in. Colder weather calls for a smarter, more nourishing approach that helps skin stay comfortable, hydrated and protected (trust us on the sunscreen...).
So, that’s your skincare covered, but what about your hair? Winter can be just as tough on your lengths, which is why our winter-proof hair edit is packed with cold-weather care for dry, brittle strands. For other skin-formation, why not read up on foods and drinks your skin will love, as well as skincare support during the menopause.
Disclaimer – This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Working with experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
1. Engebretsen KA, Johansen JD, Kezic S, Linneberg A, Thyssen JP. The effect of environmental humidity and temperature on skin barrier function and dermatitis. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2015 Oct 8;30(2):223–49.
2. Hui J, Goleva E, Donald Y.M. Leung, Byung Eui Kim. The impact of temperature on the skin barrier and atopic dermatitis. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2023 Dec 1;131(6):713–9.
3. Charkoudian N. Skin blood flow in adult human thermoregulation: how it works, when it does not, and why. Mayo Clin Proc. 2003 May;78(5):603–612. doi:10.4065/78.5.603.
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