5 Ways to Combat Dry, Itchy Winter Skin

Winter can be beautiful — we have entire songs dedicated to it. But while the season looks charming from the outside, your skin may be getting more Jack Frost than winter wonderland. 

As the temperatures drop, so does the humidity, and that combination of cold outdoor air and dry indoor heat can leave your skin feeling tight, flaky, and downright itchy.

If you’ve ever looked down at your hands or legs in the middle of January and thought, When did my skin turn into sandpaper? That’s where our dermatology specialists at Allure Dermatology come in. 

Winter skin struggles are incredibly common, especially for those with naturally dry or sensitive skin, but a few simple changes to your routine can restore moisture and comfort, helping you maintain a healthy glow all season long.

1. Turn down the water temperature

Few things feel better on a freezing morning than a long, hot shower, but your skin might disagree. Hot water strips away your natural oils, leaving your skin vulnerable to dryness and irritation.

Instead, opt for warm (not steaming) showers, and try to keep them under 10 minutes. Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and avoid harsh scrubbing. 

After showering, we recommend patting your skin dry with a soft towel — not rubbing — and applying moisturizer immediately while your skin is still slightly damp, which helps seal in hydration where it’s needed most.

2. Upgrade your moisturizer

Not all moisturizers are created equal — or work the same throughout the seasons. For instance, lightweight lotions that work well in summer often don’t cut it when humidity drops. This winter, switch to thicker creams or ointments that contain barrier-repairing ingredients to lock in moisture and soothe irritation.

Key ingredients to look for include:

• Hyaluronic acid: draws moisture into the skin
• Ceramides: strengthen the skin barrier
• Shea butter or glycerin: soften and protect
• Colloidal oatmeal: soothes itchiness and irritation

Keep a small tube of hand cream nearby as well. Hands often take the brunt of winter dryness, especially with frequent washing, and require extra attention throughout the day.

Need help picking your products? All it takes is a simple skin evaluation with our team to determine exactly which ingredients and products will work best for your skin in every season. 

3. Use a humidifier

Central heating might keep you warm, but it also sucks the moisture right out of the air and your skin. A humidifier adds humidity to your home, helping your skin (and your sinuses) stay comfortable.

Place one in your bedroom or the room where you spend the most time, and aim for an indoor humidity level between 40% and 50%. Your skin will feel less tight, your lips will stay softer, and you may even sleep better since dry air can also irritate nasal passages.

4. Choose fabrics and detergents wisely

If your skin feels itchy all the time, your clothes and laundry products may be contributing to the problem. Wool, although cozy, can be scratchy and irritating on dry skin. Try layering soft, breathable fabrics, such as cotton, underneath heavier materials to create a barrier.

When washing your clothes, opt for fragrance- and dye-free detergents specifically designed for sensitive skin. Harsh chemicals and added scents can strip natural oils or trigger irritation, especially when the cold already compromises your skin barrier.

5. Don’t skip sunscreen

Yes, even in winter. UV rays don’t take a break just because it’s cold or cloudy outside. Snow can reflect up to 80% of UV light, increasing your exposure even on overcast days. Unprotected skin can still develop sun damage, dryness, and premature aging.

Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and apply it every morning to exposed areas, such as your face, neck, and hands. Many daily moisturizers now include SPF, making it easy to incorporate sun protection into your routine without an extra step.

When to make an appointment

If your dry skin is painful, cracked, or not improving with at-home care, it may be due to something beyond seasonal dryness, such as eczema or dermatitis. Our expert dermatologists can recommend prescription creams, barrier-repair treatments, or gentle, medicated moisturizers to calm inflammation and restore balance.

Keep winter skin damage at bay

Winter weather doesn’t have to mean dry, itchy skin. You can keep your skin soft, smooth, and healthy all season long with a few tweaks and some support from our experts.

Ready to get started? Call or click to schedule a consultation and discuss our skin care services and recommended products with one of our dermatology specialists. We proudly serve patients in the Hicksville, New York, area.