When temperatures drop and humidity levels sink, many people notice their skin becoming dry, itchy, tight or flaky. This isn’t random – it’s a seasonal phenomenon called winter xerosis, the clinical term for cold-weather dryness rooted in barrier disruption and environmental stress.

“Winter is one of the harshest environments your skin faces all year,” says Emma Nowakowski, Bioelements esthetician. “Your barrier has to work twice as hard to stay balanced, hydrated and resilient.”

This season, our estheticians broke down what winter xerosis looks like, why it’s so common, and the seven most effective ways to soothe it.

What does winter xerosis feel or look like?

Even if you’ve never heard the term, you’ve likely felt the symptoms. Winter xerosis often shows up as itching, flaking and rough texture, cracked or scaly skin on the hands, legs, or arms, and tightness or burning that signals a stressed barrier. Emma often hears clients describe it as their skin “not acting like itself,” which she says is a classic seasonal red flag.

What causes winter xerosis?

Winter xerosis is common when indoor heating and outdoor air strip moisture from the skin. Cold, dry air and heaters pull water from the surface, hot showers and harsh soaps break down protective lipids, and natural oil production decreases with age, especially during perimenopause and menopause.

“Every winter, I hear the same thing from my clients: ‘My moisturizer stopped working,’” explains Emma. “It’s not the moisturizer…it’s the sudden drop in environmental moisture.”

According to our estheticians, these are the most common triggers of winter xerosis:

Cold, dry air and indoor heating
When the air outside is cold and the air inside is dry, your skin loses moisture fast. Our estheticians see this every year; the barrier doesn’t get the environmental support it needs, so water evaporates quickly and the skin starts feeling tight, flaky and sensitive.

Hot showers and harsh soaps
Hot water melts away the natural lipids that normally keep the barrier cushioned and flexible. Pair that with strong soaps, and you’re stripping away the very oils your skin needs to stay calm and hydrated in winter.

Aging + menopause (less oil production)
As skin undergoes perimenopause and menopause, natural oil production drops. That means the barrier has fewer built-in moisturizers to rely on, so winter dryness shows up faster and feels more intense.

Skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis
When the barrier is already compromised, winter conditions can be especially harsh. Dry air and low humidity make the skin work harder to stay balanced, which can lead to flare-ups, increased irritation and more visible dryness.

How to help dry, itchy, flaky skin in winter

So what actually helps winter xerosis? These are the seven esthetician-approved tips and habits our experts rely on every winter to keep skin comfortable, hydrated and strong.

1. Use thick, oil-rich moisturizers

Winter is when your barrier needs more cushioning and replenishment. Rich formulas, like bioelements really rich moisture, help replace the lipids your skin naturally loses from cold air and indoor heat, keeping moisture sealed in and the barrier supported.

Named the ‘Best Rich Moisturizer’ by the Byrdie Awards, really rich moisture is packed with non-greasy, emollient olive, safflower, jojoba and avocado oils that saturate skin, to correct dryness and improve flaking.

As Emma explains, “Oil-rich moisturizers are your skin’s winter gear; they reinforce the barrier the same way a warm coat protects your body.”

2. Apply moisturizer within 3 minutes after cleansing and before bed

This “3-minute rule” is one of the simplest ways to boost hydration without changing your entire at-home agenda. Applying moisturizer to damp skin helps trap the water that would otherwise evaporate quickly in winter’s dry air.

According to Emma, “When you moisturize damp skin, you’re not just adding hydration, you’re preventing a big chunk of it from escaping.”

3. Use a humidifier indoors (around 60% humidity)

Winter heat can leave indoor air extremely dry – something our estheticians hear complaints about every year. A humidifier adds back the moisture your skin is missing, helping reduce tightness, flaking and that dehydrated “winter texture.”

“Your environment matters just as much as your products,” explains Emma. “Winter skin thrives when the air has some moisture in it.”

4. Bathe with lukewarm water, not hot

Hot showers feel great in cold weather, but can quickly melt away the lipids that keep the barrier resilient. Lukewarm water is gentler and helps prevent the tight, stripped feeling that often follows hot baths.

Emma often tells her clients, “If you love long, hot showers, winter is the time to shorten them and temper the heat to protect your barrier.”

5. Choose fragrance-free cleansers

Winter is when the barrier is most vulnerable, so your cleanser should be as supportive and soothing as possible. Fragrance-free, gentle formulas help you avoid unnecessary irritation and keep your barrier balanced.

As Emma puts it, “Your cleanser should support your barrier, not compete with your moisturizer.”

6. Wear gloves and protective clothing

Hands and exposed areas naturally lose moisture faster because they face the brunt of winter wind and indoor heat. Protective layers like gloves and scarves help prevent cracking, redness and irritation, especially for already sensitive or reactive skin.

7. Use sunscreen even in winter

Even though it’s cold, UV rays still affect the skin and can amplify dryness and sensitivity. Winter sun protection helps maintain barrier integrity and supports long-term resilience.

“Winter isn’t a break from SPF,” says Emma. “UV exposure still happens, and your barrier still needs that protection.”

With richer moisturizers, smart hydration timing, balanced humidity, gentle cleansing, and year-round sun protection, you can comfortably combat winter xerosis. If dryness becomes painful or persistent, a licensed esthetician can build a personalized winter skin plan tailored to your needs.

FAQs: winter xerosis