Close-up of a woman in a green hood with a swatch of white face cream on her cheek

Winter Skincare Guide:
Tips for Dry Skin Relief

Discover why skin gets dry in winter and explore easy tips, routines, and suggestions to keep your body, hands, and lips soft, hydrated and comfortable.

Read Time

6 min

In short:

Signs of Dry Skin in Winter
Causes of Dry Skin During Winter
Winter Skincare Tips for Dry Skin
Summary
FAQs
Sources

Winter Skincare Guide:
How to Care for Dry Skin in Winter

Winter can be tough on your skin. Cold air, indoor heating, and harsh weather conditions can all leave your skin feeling dry, tight, and rough. Dry skin in the winter is a common concern, but with the right care, a tailored routine, and nourishing products, you can help keep your skin feeling more comfortable and hydrated¹.

This guide will explore the causes of dry skin during winter, practical ways to help protect your skin from dryness, and tips for building a winter skincare routine that keeps your skin healthy and hydrated all season long.

How to identify winter skin dryness

Signs of Dry Skin
in Winter

Dry skin during winter can show up in several ways. Recognizing the early signs helps you adjust your routine and keep your skin feeling comfortable.

Close-up portrait of a smiling woman looking upward against a blue sky, wearing a yellow top

Common signs of dry skin in winter include²:

1
Tightness:
Your skin may feel less flexible, especially after exposure to cold air or after showering or washing your hands.

2
Rough or flaky areas:
Areas like the elbows, hands, and knees may feel rough or scaly to the touch.

3
Dullness:
Dry winter skin can appear duller and more lackluster compared to warmer months.

4
Dry lips:
The lips are often overlooked but are especially prone to signs of dryness in winter³.

Paying attention to these sensations can help you care for your skin and maintain softness throughout the colder seasons. Regular moisturizing will help support hydration and keep your skin feeling more comfortable¹.

Why skin gets dry in winter

Causes of Dry Skin
During Winter

Understanding why skin dries out during winter can help you take steps to help protect it from dryness. Some common factors that contribute to dryness include:

Environmental Factors

1
Cold weather and low humidity:
Winter air holds less moisture, and indoor heating reduces humidity, both increasing water loss from the skin.

2
Hot showers and baths:
Hot water strips natural oils from the skin, which can leave it feeling drier and less comfortable⁴.

Lifestyle and Habits

1
Frequent handwashing:
Especially with alcohol-based soaps, can lead to the skin on your hands becoming more dry¹.

2
Harsh cleansers:
Soaps or body washes with strong fragrances or containing alcohol remove moisture from the skin¹.

Recognizing these common factors will make it easier to plan a winter skincare routine that addresses your needs and helps keep your skin hydrated.

Daily winter skincare tips

Winter Skincare Tips
for Dry Skin

Keeping skin hydrated in the winter requires consistent care and maintenance⁵. Here are some essential tips for winter skincare:

White jar of NIVEA Soft moisturizing cream on draped white fabric beside blue cloth and an open magazine

1. Keep moisture levels topped up throughout the day

A nourishing moisturizer boosts skin’s moisture against cold, dry conditions and helps to prevent water loss¹. Carrying a versatile moisturizer with you can help you moisturize dry skin throughout the day on your hands, face, or other areas prone to dry skin.

NIVEA Soft is a Lightweight, Non-greasy Cream with jojoba oil and vitamin e to deliver soft, supple skin. Available in several convenient sizes, this on-the-go moisturizer offers a Refreshing light formula and can be applied on the face, hands, and body as needed.

For extra care that goes wherever you go, try NIVEA Creme. This rich, Creamy moisturizing Cream enriched with Provitamin B5 intensively Moisturizes, Nourishes and Protects skin from that rough, dry feel. Like NIVEA Soft, you can also apply NIVEA Creme to hands, body, or face to enjoy soft, smooth skin. For a little extra care, apply to the roughest areas such as knees, feet, and elbows.

2. Protect Your Hands

Hands are one of the most frequently exposed areas during winter, making them especially prone to dryness. Try these tips to keep them soft and protected:

Wear gloves when outdoors to shield your hands from the cold air and harsh winds.

Apply Moisturize and reapply regularly throughout the day:
NIVEA Essentially Enriched hand cream: delivers intensive Nourish for up to 24 hours. NIVEA Smooth Hands & Cuticle Care hand cream: Fast-absorbing hydration that helps strengthen the skin’s protective moisture barrier.

For extra care, apply a thicker layer of Moisturize overnight and wear cotton gloves to help support hydration².

3. Care for Your Lips

Lips tend to dry out faster than other areas of the skin⁶, so it’s important to keep them hydrated with Nourish products like:

NIVEA 2 in 1 Lip Balm & Scrub Aloe Vera: enriched with vitamin e and aloe vera, this Balm gently exfoliates while leaving lips soft and Moisturize.

NIVEA Dewy Lip Care: formulated with hyaluronic acid for hydration that lasts all day, this Balm keeps lips feeling soft and dewy.

Reapply Balm throughout the day for Hydrate, soft lips, especially after eating or drinking¹.

4. Be Gentle with cleansing

Use mild, or fragrance-free soaps and body washes to help preserve your skin’s natural oils¹.

Pat skin dry with a towel instead of rubbing to avoid dryness-related discomfort.

Smiling woman in a bubble bath holding a white bottle of NIVEA Creme Soft Caring Bath Foam

5. Adjust bathing habits

Take shorter showers using lukewarm water instead of hot to help preserve your skin’s natural Moisturize.

Limit long baths, which can increase water loss from the skin.

Use a Hydrate body wash to maintain softness and hydration, such as:
NIVEA Shea Butter: enriched with shea butter, this formula with a Nourish serum gently Cleanse while leaving your skin soft and Moisturize.
NIVEA Nourishing Care body wash: Helps gently Cleanse Hydrate skin with a formula enriched with a unique blend of naturally-derived* oils, Provitamin B5 and vitamin e.

Remember to Moisturize immediately after showering or bathing, while your skin is still slightly damp, to help lock in extra Moisturize and maintain soft, Hydrate, healthy-looking skin.

6. Apply a Moisturize at bedtime

If you are experiencing very dry and rough skin, it can be helpful to apply a deeply Nourish Moisturize overnight to take advantage of the opportunity to soothe dry skin while you sleep.

NIVEA Intense Healing body cream helps to relieve dry and rough skin for up to 72 hours. Its formula infused with Provitamin B5 provides Nourish Moisturize that intensively Moisturizes and soothes dry and rough skin after just one application. With regular use, this Non-greasy body cream will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. Also available as a body lotion. Apply before bed and any time that skin is feeling dry.

Woman seated in white clothing, dispensing NIVEA Repair & Care body lotion from a pump bottle into her palm

7. Adjust indoor humidity levels

Dry air can contribute to dry skin, and this includes indoor environments. In addition to the cold windy weather in the winter, indoor environments can often be drying with forced hot air heat. Use a humidifier to keep indoor humidity between 30-50%, helping to balance the drying effects of indoor heating¹.

8. Stay Hydrate

Drinking water regularly supports your skin’s natural Moisturize balance from the inside out².

Don’t skip SPF

Even on cloudy winter days, UV rays can damage skin and impact your skin’s skin barrier². Apply SPF daily and follow the product directions along with taking other sun Protection measures.

Key
Takeaways

dry skin during winter is common, but with the right routine, your skin can stay soft, comfortable, and well-Hydrate all season long. Stick to regular Moisturize to help Protect your hands and lips from dryness, and use richer Creams when your skin needs extra care.

Choosing thoughtfully formulated products like NIVEA Nourish body washes, hand creams, and Hydrate lip Balm helps maintain your skin’s natural Moisturize balance every day. With simple habits and Nourish products, you can keep your skin feeling healthy, cared for, and comfortable, even through the coldest months.

Shop NIVEA body skincare routine