Every year it happens: tight cheeks, flaky shins, cracked knuckles. Winter dryness isn’t in your head. Cold, dry air really does change how well your skin holds on to water, and a few simple habits make a big difference.
Written by Vita Globe Editorial Team | Reviewed against American Academy of Dermatology guidance and peer-reviewed research
Why does skin get so dry in winter?
Low humidity and cold temperatures weaken the skin barrier, the outer layer that holds moisture in, so skin loses water faster and gets drier and more sensitive[1]. Indoor heating, long hot showers and harsh soaps add to it. Dermatologists recommend short, warm showers, gentle cleansers, and moisturizing after bathing with a cream or ointment[2].
Caveat: Diet supports skin health overall, but no food or supplement replaces a moisturizer for winter dryness[2].
Sources: Engebretsen 2016 · AAD · Verified 2026-09-28
In this article
What actually happens to your skin in winter?
The outer layer of your skin works like a brick wall, with skin cells as bricks and natural fats as mortar. That barrier keeps water in and irritants out.
A review of the research found that low humidity and low temperatures both weaken this barrier. Skin loses more water, becomes less flexible, and reacts more easily to irritants. Conditions like eczema also tend to flare in colder, drier months[1].
Indoors isn’t much better: heating dries the air further. Then we take longer, hotter showers to warm up, which strip even more of the skin’s natural oils[2].
What’s a simple winter skin routine?
The American Academy of Dermatology’s tips for relieving dry skin come down to a few habits[2]:
- Keep showers and baths short (5–10 minutes) and use warm, not hot, water.
- Use a gentle cleanser instead of harsh soaps.
- Moisturize right after bathing, and again whenever skin feels dry.
- Choose a cream or ointment, which add more moisture than lotions. Look for ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone or petrolatum.
- Run a humidifier in the room where you sleep.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands, and choose loose-fitting cotton clothing.
Lip balm and a richer hand cream kept by the sink help with the areas that crack first.
Does what you eat help winter skin?
Nutrition plays a supporting role. In a large study of middle-aged women, higher intakes of linoleic acid (a fat found in nuts, seeds and plant oils) and vitamin C were linked to less skin dryness[3]. It was an observational study, so it can’t prove cause and effect, but it’s a reasonable nudge toward a produce-and-healthy-fat diet in winter too.
Vitamin C is needed to make collagen and is found in high levels in healthy skin[4]. Nuts, seeds and plant oils also provide vitamin E[5]. Winter citrus season makes vitamin C an easy one; see our list of foods high in vitamin C.
Winter is also when many people’s vitamin D drops, a separate issue from dry skin. Our post on vitamin D in winter covers who might need more.
When is dry skin more than just winter?
If dryness doesn’t improve after making these changes, see a dermatologist[2]. The same goes for skin that cracks and bleeds, itching that keeps you up at night, or any signs of infection. Very dry, itchy patches can be eczema or another skin condition that needs treatment.
The honest summary
- Cold, dry air weakens the skin barrier, so winter dryness is real[1].
- Short warm showers, gentle cleansers and moisturizing right away are the most effective fixes[2].
- A diet with vitamin C and healthy fats supports skin, but it’s a background player[3].
For year-round basics, see a simple hair, skin & nails routine.
Our option
Vita Globe Beauty Gummy Vitamins Bundle
Winter is a good time to keep your daily habits steady. If you like a nutrition backup alongside your moisturizer, our Beauty Bundle is one option. It pairs two full-size 60ct bottles, a 30-day supply of each: Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies with Collagen (5,000mcg of biotin per two-gummy serving, plus vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B12, folate, zinc, iodine and 20mg of collagen from fish) and Superfood Gummies with vitamins A, C and E, zinc, and açaí, acerola and gooseberry fruit extracts. Suggested use is two gummies from each bottle daily. Both are non-GMO and gluten-free; the Hair, Skin & Nails gummies contain fish (tilapia), so the bundle isn’t vegetarian.
Frequently asked questions
How can I stop my skin from getting dry in winter?
Take short, warm showers, use a gentle cleanser, moisturize right after bathing with a cream or ointment, and use a humidifier[2].
Does drinking more water help dry skin in winter?
Possibly a little, especially if you normally drink very little, but the evidence is limited. See does drinking water help your skin? for details.
Is it better to use lotion or cream for winter dry skin?
Creams and ointments are thicker and generally better for very dry skin than lotions[2].
Why is my skin itchy in winter?
Dry air and hot water weaken the skin barrier, which makes skin more prone to itching and irritation[1]. If itching is intense or persistent, check with a dermatologist.
Sources
- Engebretsen KA, Johansen JD, Kezic S, Linneberg A, Thyssen JP. The effect of environmental humidity and temperature on skin barrier function and dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016;30(2):223-249. doi:10.1111/jdv.13301
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. Dermatologists’ top tips for relieving dry skin. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin
- Cosgrove MC, Franco OH, Granger SP, Murray PG, Mayes AE. Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;86(4):1225-1231. doi:10.1093/ajcn/86.4.1225
- Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin E: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/
About the Vita Globe Editorial Team
The Vita Globe Editorial Team researches and writes our wellness content, working from peer-reviewed research, systematic reviews and guidance from bodies such as the NIH and the FDA. We cite our sources inline and update articles when the evidence changes.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or caring for a child.
