Care for Dry Skin in Colder Weather

When the weather turns dry, skin may feel tight before you think to change the routine. The answer doesn't have to be a shelf of new products. Start by making the familiar steps gentler.

Use warm rather than hot water and keep showers or baths short. Choose a gentle cleanser and pat the skin dry instead of rubbing. Apply a fragrance-free cream or ointment while the skin is still a little damp, and again when it needs it.

Avoid doing more to irritated skin

Scrubbing flakes away or adding several active products may make sensitive skin less comfortable. Keep prescribed treatments as directed and ask for advice if you're unsure how they fit with your routine.

Protect exposed skin from the weather and keep sun protection in mind. If you use a humidifier, follow its cleaning and maintenance instructions; it should suit the room rather than create dampness.

Cracking, bleeding, persistent itching, or a rash deserves medical or dermatology advice. Dryness doesn't always have the same cause. For an ordinary winter adjustment, make one change you can repeat comfortably and notice how your skin responds, rather than chasing a perfect product schedule.

Further reading: American Academy of Dermatology: dry skin care