1. Cold air pulls water out of your skin

Cold, dry air holds less moisture than warm air, and it can steal hydration from your skin. According to the researchers, low humidity weakens the outer layer of your skin (the stratum corneum), making it harder to lock in moisture during the winter.

What helps:

• Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser to avoid stripping natural oils.

• Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp to lock in hydration.

• Run a humidifier indoors if your air feels desert-dry to support skin hydration. 

2. Central heating makes things worse

That cozy warmth from heaters and radiators during winter months? It's often bone-dry air, which speeds up transepidermal water loss (when water evaporates from your skin). Constant exposure to hot, dry air can increase irritation, redness, and flaking, especially around the nose and cheeks.

What helps:

• Turn down your thermostat a few degrees to help protect your skin barrier.

• Keep a small bowl of water near heat sources to add moisture to the air. 

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3. Hot showers feel great but strip your skin barrier

Long, steamy showers feel amazing on a cold morning, but they remove essential lipids that keep your barrier intact. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends shorter, lukewarm showers (5-10 minutes), and gently patting dry with a towel or cloth instead of rubbing to prevent micro-damage to the skin.

What helps:

• Use fragrance-free, creamy cleansers.

• Apply moisturizer within three minutes right after showering to "seal" in hydration.

4. Your skin barrier is working overtime

Between seasonal temperature swings, friction from scarves, and dry air, your skin's lipid barrier is under serious stress. When that barrier breaks down, you may feel stinging, tightness, or even notice acne flare-ups. Yes, dry skin may be more easily irritated and more prone to breakouts.

What helps with winter-dry skin:

• Before applying moisturizer, layer a hydrating serum (like Curology Hydro+ Hydration Serum with hyaluronic acid).

• Avoid over-exfoliating; once or twice a week is plenty in winter.

• Protect your skin from windburn with a scarf or gentle occlusive balm.

5. Your routine might be too harsh for winter

Your Curology dermatology provider can provide recommendations and help tailor your routine—along with answering any of your questions!

What helps:

• Alternate active nights with “barrier nights” (just moisturizer).

• Layer a hydrating serum or moisturizer under your treatment to help reduce potential irritation.

• Switch to a heavier moisturizer, such as Curology’s Cream Moisturizer.

Choose non-comedogenic formulas to avoid clogging pores. You can read about pore-clogging ingredients here as well.

6. SPF still matters (even when it’s snowing)

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, up to 80% of UV rays can reflect off snow, increasing UV exposure even in cloudy weather. Skipping sunscreen in winter leads to photodamage, which manifests as changes in skin texture, skin dullness, hyperpigmentation, and premature fine lines.

What helps:

• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily, especially around reflective surfaces like snow and ice (try Curology Hydro+ Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30).

Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to ears and hands; common spots that are vulnerable and easy to miss.

Key takeaways

• Winter = low humidity + indoor heat → moisture loss + barrier stress

• Short, lukewarm showers > long, hot ones

• Gentle, fragrance-free hydration to keep skin moisturized

• SPF is still non-negotiable, even when it’s gray out

Written by

Curology Team

Medically reviewed by

Elise Griffin, PA-C