Dermatologist Insights: Best Tips for Dry Skin Issues

Your motivation to leave the house isn’t the only thing drying up this winter—your skin is too. Cold weather means less moisture in the air, and that lack of humidity pulls hydration straight from your skin barrier. Over time, this can lead to flaking, itching, and a vicious cycle of irritation, eczema flares, and even small cracks that make the skin more vulnerable to infection. Here’s how to keep your skin calm, comfortable, and protected all season long:

1. Boost Your Barrier

   In the winter, think of your moisturizer as your skin’s winter jacket. Look for formulas with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or squalane—all excellent at drawing water into the skin and locking it in. For the body, creams in jars or tubs generally hydrate better than lotions in pump bottles. They contain fewer drying ingredients and more occlusive hydration. Apply moisturizers immediately after showering while your skin is still slightly damp for maximum absorption. Some examples are:

   Body: Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream Dry to Very Dry Skin, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Eucerin Advanced Repair, Vaseline Face: No7 Derm Solutions 100hr Hydration Cream, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5, CeraVe PM Hands: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, CeraVe Healing Ointment, Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Ointment Lips: Aquaphor, Vaseline, or La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Lips

2. Humidifier Hack
   Indoor heating makes winter air desert-dry, and your skin feels the effects almost instantly. A humidifier restores moisture to the environment, helping your skin stay hydrated throughout the day and night. Keep one in your bedroom or workspace, clean it regularly, and avoid running it when you’re out of the house to prevent mold or bacterial buildup. Even a small tabletop unit can make a noticeable impact.
3. Short Showers

   It sounds counterintuitive, but water—especially hot water—actually dries out the skin. Long showers strip away essential oils that protect your barrier. Aim for 5–10 minutes, and use warm (not steaming hot) water. If your skin turns red in the shower, the temperature is too high. Moisturize immediately afterward to trap in hydration.

4. Creamy Cleansers

   Winter is not the time for harsh foaming washes. Choose cream or lotion-based cleansers that clean the skin without stripping away moisture. And remember, you don’t need to soap your entire body—just the areas that truly need it (armpits, groin, feet).

   Great gentle options include: Body: Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar, CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash Face: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Cleanser

   These formulas help cleanse while supporting your skin barrier rather than breaking it down.

5. Avoid Wool Woes

   Warm as it is, wool can be surprisingly irritating—especially for dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin. If you love your knits, wear a 100% cotton shirt underneath to prevent friction and itching. Fabrics like cotton, bamboo, and cashmere are much gentler and less likely to trigger irritation.

6. Remain Sunscreen Savvy

   Don’t skip sunscreen just because it’s cold. UV rays don’t take a break when the temperature drops, and they can bounce off snow and clouds and hit your skin from multiple angles. UVA—the aging ray—stays constant all year. A broad-spectrum SPF keeps your skin protected even in winter.

These simple adjustments help keep your skin barrier strong so you can get through winter without the flakes, itch, and irritation. Who knows? Maybe you will even want to leave the home!

Dr. Supriya Rastogi is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group.

She specializes in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. She is committed to providing comprehensive dermatological care and looks forward to serving her patients with the highest level of expertise and compassion.