When your skin takes the brunt of winter’s wrath, make sure you protect it from drying and cracking. Staying hydrated and eating a healthy diet high in omega-3 fatty acids (found in foods like salmon) does help a bit, but there will always be areas of your skin that need some extra love and attention when the temperature dips.
“Your skin is your body’s barrier to the cold and wind, and it takes a beating in the winter months,” says Dr. Gervaise Gerstner, a New York City-based dermatologist. “The combination of the cold outside and the heat inside is a tough combination.”
Here’s how to give your dry winter skin a moisturizing boost in these key trouble spots.
It could be counterintuitive, but using lip scrubs can improve your skin on you lips. Including a lip scrub into your regular weekly skin regimen can be your savior for the lips.
How To Remedy Chapped Lips
The skin on your lips is thinner than other places on your body, which is why your pout is prone to painful chapping and cracking. “When your skin is compromised, as your lips are in winter, you might be more likely to get cold sores,” says Gerstner. “And badly cracked lips can also get infected.”
The remedy? Don’t lick your lips – that just makes the problem worse. And be sure to maintain a healthy barrier between your lips and the cold. Try rubbing a dab of homemade lip balm or even olive or coconut oil over your lips when they feel dry. It’s practically magic.
Check out this easy Sugar and Honey Scrub for Lips.
Lip Treatment Moisturizers
Here are some of the best non-toxic lip treatments that will keep the skin on the lips moisturized and protected from outside pathogens.
Lip Treatment Moisturizer and Conditioner. Daytime or Overnight Lip Care, Rose, 15g
Hanalei Lip Therapy and Dry Lip Repair with Hawaiian Kukui Oil, Shea Butter, Agave, and Grapeseed Oil.
Lip Treatment by Hanalei. Cruelty free, Paraben Free.MADE IN USA. Clear (15g/15ml/0.53oz)
Made with Kukui Oil, Shea Butter, Agave, and Grapeseed Oil Soothe Dry Lips.
Lip Treatment by Hanalei. Cruelty free, Paraben Free. MADE IN USA. Mauve Pink (15g/15ml/0.53oz)
Made with Kukui Oil, Shea Butter, Agave, and Grapeseed Oil Soothe Dry Lips.
Cliganic USDA Organic Lip Balm Set - 6 Flavors - 100% Natural Moisturizer for Cracked & Dry Lips
Formulated with natural ingredients that hydrate, nourish, and protect lips, our lips balms ensure your lips stay healthy and soft. Paraben-Free. Phthalates-Free. Petrochemical-Free.
Lip Rescue: Collagen + Peptide Complex
You need only a thin layer of this lip collagen formula.
It contains 3 types of lip collagen, peptides and organic plant stem cells to increase lip vibrancy, hydration and to strengthen lip barrier.
This lip formula fills in lip lines, wrinkles and can be applied around the eyes to infuse collagen.
Caring for Cracked Hands
All that diligent washing and sanitizing can leave your hands red and flaky and your cuticles cracked. “The trick for hands is to put gloves on as soon as you go outside in the cold,” says Gerstner.
Cotton gloves are preferable to wool or cashmere, since they won’t irritate already sensitive skin. And be sure to use a thick hand cream throughout the day and before you go to sleep.
Remedy for Winter Red Face
In winter, the skin on your face is the most exposed to not only the cold and wind, but also the sun’s UVA/UVB rays. So don’t let up on sun protection just because you’re not basking on the beach. Use a daily broad-spectrum SPF 15 moisturizing sunscreen every day on your face.
By the way, if you care about non-toxic sunscreens that are also reef-friendly, check out a curated by me store on Amazon HERE. I’ve used all of these brands and put together all these amazing options into one place.
For washing, make sure your daily cleanser is creamy, not drying. If you’re prone to rosacea or eczema, winter is not the time to use retinol-based products on your face, since they may exacerbate redness.
Get acquainted with different Types of Retinoids to identify the best Retinoid Therapy for your Skin year-round.
How to Care for Callused Feet
In the summer, many women pamper their feet with pedis. But in cold weather, we tend to shove them in boots and forget about them. Bad idea. Your feet need just as much attention now – especially the heels, which are more prone to calluses in dry winter air. But your normal lotion won’t penetrate the calluses.
In fact, Gerstner suggests a cream containing urea (available from your dermatologist), which will melt the rough skin and moisturize your heels.
Also the key is keeping your feet dry and wearing insulated boots.
Using essential oils ointments can dramatically change the skin of your souls for the better. If you have small cracks, calluses, rough surfaces, then check out some of these tested foot care products.
– Organic Oil for smooth feet: you can buy it HERE.
– Pure tea tree oil that can be added to coconut oil for an effective healing foot mask or lotion. Get it HERE.
– An organic blend of several oils that can be applied all over the body, including your feet. Buy it HERE.
Dry Scalp Remedies
The dry air takes its toll all over your body: Some people find that their dandruff gets worse in the winter. A simple over-the-counter dandruff shampoo used about three times a week will help. Rub it into your wet hair and let it sit for 10 to 15 seconds before rinsing. Besides, a second lathering is also recommended.
Also resist the urge to take extremely long, hot baths and showers, which will make matters worse for your scalp and the rest of your skin.
Do you wear a hat when going outside in winter time? Usually, freezing, cold temperatures really affect hair follicles that can go into a spasm which means no blood is getting there. Hence, there’s no food that each follicle receives. As a result, scalp goes into a stupor of itching and over-dry, calling for our attention ASAP. Just adding a hat to your winter wardrobe can change your scalp condition.
Check out a detailed post on How to Deal with An Itching Dry Scalp.
72 thoughts on “How To Remedy Dry Winter Skin with Effective Healthy Tips”
There are so many great tips here, and I’m loving them all. Thank you so much
Zab,
So happy you’ve enjoyed the post!
I had no idea that licking your lips did more damage than good to chapped lips. I tend to get quite dry lips and hands during the winter time, so I’m really glad Spring is starting to appear x
My lips have been so dry and cracked lately and I haven’t known what to do! Thank you so much for sharing these tips – you really do need to look after your skin.
We live in the Caribbean but may be moving to a cold country soon, so I’ll keep these tips in mind!
Your article on remedying dry winter skin is a lifesaver! The tips and product recommendations are practical and effective. Thank you for sharing such valuable insights with your readers!
Useful skin care tips here. Winter chill makes skin dry. I do prefer essential oils based skin care products.
Indu,
So nice to hear that you have your own and proved skin care routine to revive skin and hair.
Amazing!!! You should see my face in winter…I hv the dryest skin on the planet. Thank you for the tips, I can’t wait to apply it.
Karen,
Winter can really bring a huge turmoil to our hair and skin. But with the right care and love, you can bring the vibrance to your hair and smooth complexion to your skin.
It’s taking me 45 years to find a solution to winter but for me it lies in a good moisturiser and I am so glad I have found one – it makes the world of difference.
Laura,
Excellent! I think what really makes a difference between good and bag in this case is an optimal and regular moisture control for our skin.
Happy Spring!
My skin does tend to dry out a lot in the winter, I try and remember to moisturise before I go out and at night but I often don’t think about SPF.
Now you know what really needs to be added to your daily routine! Your SPF lotion or cream!
And yes to a good internal hydration as well.
To your Spring routine!
Following the same skin care routine year-round may not work so well when the humidity drops. I usually need more products in the cold and dry days.
Beth,
You’re quite right! Understanding your skin and responding to its needs has a seasonal nature.
This is so great to hear that you take care of your skin carefully, thoughtfully.
I do love lip moisturisers and they have really helped me, I do loove to give myself a foot treatment once a week
Samantha,
It is so good that you take care of small details like your lips and foot care.
Feet do, too, require daily attention from us to carry all the weight and go places.
This time of the year always gets the best of my skin and I find myself moisturizing almost all day long.
Wanda,
It is so amazing to me to observe how different people have their unique ways of dealing with skin dryness in winter and even in the summer time.
I hate how dry my skin gets in the winter. I have to lather up with serum and moisturizer.
Monica,
What would really help is to improve blood flow to the head. The skin will benefit in no time, and dryness may go away.
Dry skin is so irritating, especially in winter. Mine just starting getting dry again lately. I’ll have to keep this all in mind.
Kathy,
What would help even more is to relax your upper body muscles that create a spasm in the shoulder/neck areas and block the nerves and blood vessels leading to the head. Once you relax the muscles, the blood flow will improve, and there’s nothing better than fresh blood for the skin!
The chapped lips and dry scalp tips are much needed with all the dry weather. Thanks much
Thanks for the remedy. My skin is so dry it drives me crazy.
This Diabetic has trouble finding the right skin products to keep her skin moisturized!
Especially her feet!! I will pin this so I can ask my doctor! Believe me I have tried a few and my feet still get dry and crack!! Doctor’s office here I come. Thank you for sharing!
I will have to try the lip rememdies you mention. It’s so dry here! Especially in the winter, when the heat is on. Thank you for reccommendations.
Thanks for this. I have been trying so many things for dry skin and no luck. Will give your remedies a shot. Fingers crossed.
I live in Wisconsin where its always cold and dry.. I love this advice for us “older women”
Kelly,
Just a little bit of know-how goes a long way in our daily life and our overall health and well-being.
Cold weather is a great way to celebrate life!
Thanks for the great tips and info.
I heard that you need a humidifier as well to make sure your skin won’t dry up and also lip gloss.
Kathy,
Humidifiers are great for an office or living space where air is dry.
Take caution when you buy a lip gloss. First, check out for toxic ingredients in the formula (from my experience, that’s what a large majority is made of). Second, you’d be better off with some lip balm with naturally moisturizing ingredients.
But it’s always your choice to make.
It has been so so dry out. Thanks for the tips. My skin really needs moisture and safeguarding
Monique,
You sure can do it. Just take the first step doing something.
Have a beautiful day every day!
sounds great
My skin gets so dry in the winter.
thanks for the ideas. they will sure help.
These are great tips! I put lotion on my feet, them place socks on them, during the day. But, you gave me some other ideas too!???
Ceci,
It sure works, i.e., wearing socks with moisturized skin on the feet. So many ways to take care of our skin!
I have always wanted to try sleeping with moisture gloves or socks. I just can not do it… I have tried.
Elicia,
These are just suggestions.
You can have an excellent skin and hair without any overnight tricks!
Such a helpful post! I have dry skin myself.
I need to remember to put on gloves when I go outside. With so much extra handwashing, my hands are super dry!
Barrie,
Try this trick that may really make a huge difference.
Keep a small hand cream made of natural, non-toxic ingredients, in your pocket. Every time you wash hands, massage a tiny amount of it onto the skin of your hands.
I just have problems with lips but your solutions are good enough!
Monidipa,
Go ahead and use what you need. The weather and covid really make our facial skin suffer.
We live in Canada, taking care of our skin in this cold weather is a must. Thank you so much for the amazing tips.
Chad,
You gotta share what you do in the freezing weather in Canada! You’re an experienced soul by all means.
Ugh now if I could just figure out how to deal with maskne. My chin is breaking out like crazy from wearing a mask for 10 hours a day.
Krysten,
First question: Do you wear ANY skin care products under the mask?
If yes, stop wearing them.
If you use any skin care or makeup before wearing a face mask, make sure that the skin care product is non-comedogenic. The skin care formula clogs pores, creating these unwelcome maskne outcomes.
Usually, a skin care product packaging tells you if it is non-comedogenic. If it does not say so, probably it is not.
Also, the fabric of the mask itself can irritate the skin on the face. Use soft fabrics and nice moisturizers to lessen the irritation in this case.
Toss disposable masks, and wash reusable masks daily.
Also, allow your skin to breath by taking off a mask every 4 hours, as recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology Association. Please practice safety without anybody around when taking such a break.
I am loving these tips. My skin needs some TLC right now.
Marjie,
With regular care, you can enjoy your beauty and the well-being that is at the base of your looks.
Super useful information! It’s always good to have advice like this, from someone who knows that they’re talking about.
Thank you, Emily,
That is the best reward to me, when my readers can use any information for their benefit.
These are great skincare tips. We should take care of our skin so that we can still look young-looking even if we age.
What’s fun and satisfying is that we CAN look 20, 30, 40 years younger that our biological age.
If you think it’s hard to believe, then you’re not alone.
Let’s take it one step at a time to achieve a new status in our thinking, perception and, ultimately, the looks.
You have great product recommendations! Checking out the organic lip balm set!
Mae,
The organic set is awesome. I recommend only those skin care and personal care products that I have used or thoroughly researched. And under “thoroughly” I mean I checked every ingredient and accept only non-toxic to our bodies.
These are great tips for dry skin during the cold winter months! I suffer so much from dry scalp when it’s cold.
Mae,
Do you wear a hat?
If not, begin by adding warmth to your head and see what happens.
Usually, freezing, cold temperatures really affect hair follicles that can go into a spasm which means no blood is getting there. Hence, there’s no food that each follicle receives. As a result, scalp goes into a stupor of itching and over-dry, calling for our attention ASAP.
Winter season can really cause dry skin, these are all helpful tips!
Ryan,
These tips are especially effective to those who spend a ton of time outside.
I have bad dry skin when it comes to winter. I always struggle with it. These are some really good tips and ideas. I love the products for chapped lips. I get those too.
Kathy,
Great that you take time to address winter skin and scalp and hair conditions.
Keep in mind though that the majority of the skin care and lip care that is pushed into the masses is petroleum-based! There are a lot of ingredients that are derived from the petroleum products.
Such skin care products can feel smooth after the application, giving a false sign that they moisturize and sooth.
However, the trick is in the AFTER effect, when these products dry out. They produce free radicals make your skin dryer than before and call for a new application of a moisturizer. When you use the same petroleum-based product on your skin again and again and again, you can develop a chronic cycle of dry skin that can develop into skin conditions like eczema.
I definitely needed these suggestions. I’m the worst about taking care of my dry skin during the winter. More so because I am clueless when it comes to helping it more than I already am.
Kita,
Just little things like putting lip balm regularly on, adding moisturizer with non-toxic ingredients to your hands, wearing a hat during winter months – all of these little things can help you to overcome dry skin, itchy scalp conditions.
I have bad dry skin in the winter. I need to use some of these products like the lip ones.
Tara,
Make sure the ingredients are NOT petroleum-based, which creates free radicals in your skin which cause dry skin. And they can drive your skin into a chronic inflammation state, i.e., skin conditions like eczema.
These are great! I am always struggling with my skin in the winter!
Wren,
Taking tiny steps every day, without overwhelming yourself with drastic changes, can help you move yourself to the healthier skin.