Seasonal Dry Skin Support

Simple Tips for Colder Weather

When the temperature drops, you might notice a change in your skin, too. Cold outdoor air, low humidity and dry indoor heat can leave skin feeling tight, rough or simply drier than it did a few months ago. 

Your seasonal wardrobe gets an update when cooler weather arrives, so why not your skin-support routine? A few simple changes can help you care for your skin from the outside and support it from within. 

Why Does Skin Feel Drier in Cold Weather? 

Your skin's outermost layer helps create a barrier between your body and the outside world while helping hold onto moisture. When temperatures and humidity drop, moisture can evaporate from the skin more easily. Indoor heating can dry the air even further. 

The result? Your usual routine might not feel like quite enough once fall and winter arrive. 

The good news is that seasonal skin support doesn't have to be complicated. 

1. Keep Showers Warm, Not Scorching 

Few things feel better than a piping-hot shower on a cold morning, but very hot water can strip away some of the natural oils on your skin. 

Try turning the temperature down a notch and keeping showers on the shorter side. When you get out, gently pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it with a towel. 

2. Moisturize While Skin Is Still Damp 

Here's an easy winter skin hack: don't wait until your skin is completely dry to reach for your moisturizer. 

Applying moisturizer shortly after bathing, while your skin is still slightly damp, can help trap some of that moisture at the skin's surface. You may also find that a richer cream or ointment works better for you during dry winter months than the lighter products you reach for in summer. 

3. Remember to Hydrate 

Hydration might be top of mind when it's hot outside, but your body still needs fluids when temperatures drop. 

Keep water nearby throughout the day, and remember that other foods and beverages count toward your fluid intake, too. Herbal tea, soups, citrus fruits, apples and other water-rich foods can make hydration feel a little more seasonal. 

4. Add Moisture Back Into the Air 

Indoor heating can make already-dry winter air feel even drier. 

A humidifier can add moisture back into the air, particularly in spaces where you spend a lot of time, like your bedroom or home office. Just be sure to clean and maintain it according to the manufacturer's directions. 

5. Give Your Skin Something to Work With 

Skin support isn't only about what you put on your body. A varied diet provides nutrients your body needs to maintain healthy skin from within. 

Build meals around plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables, plant-based proteins, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Foods rich in vitamin C, like citrus, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli and bell peppers, are especially noteworthy because vitamin C is needed for collagen synthesis to support overall skin health. † 

Healthy fats deserve a spot on your cold-weather plate, too. Walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, avocado and other sources of unsaturated fats make easy additions to oatmeal, smoothies, grain bowls and seasonal soups. 

Want to dig deeper into the connection between nutrition and healthy skin over time? Check out our guide to skin longevity here. 

6. Consider Supplemental Support 

A food-first approach lays the foundation, but supplements can offer additional support for your beauty-from-within routine. 

Collagen Peptides With Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin C combines collagen with hyaluronic acid to support skin hydration and elasticity, plus antioxidant vitamin C to promote collagen production.* The unflavored powder is easy to add to a favorite hot or cold beverage. 

Hair Growth Capsules offer beauty support beyond hair. The formula features Lustriva®, which is clinically studied to support healthy-looking skin by improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles within three weeks.* And because seasonal dryness doesn’t stop at your hairline, hyaluronic acid helps nourish a healthy, hydrated scalp.* 

Pairing supplements with something you already do every day, like breakfast or your morning skincare routine, can make them easier to remember. 

Keep Your Seasonal Routine Simple 

Your skin doesn't necessarily need a total overhaul when winter arrives. It may just need a little more support. 

Turn down the shower temperature, moisturize while your skin is damp, keep fluids within reach, add moisture to dry indoor air and continue nourishing yourself with a varied diet. Combined with a consistent skincare routine and targeted nutritional support, those small changes can help you care for your skin throughout the colder months. 

Then, when spring rolls around? You can finally turn that shower temperature back up. (Just kidding. Your skin would still prefer you didn't.)