As soon as temperatures drop, many people notice that their skin feels tight, itchy, or flaky. What's hardly an issue in summer suddenly becomes a daily challenge in winter. But why is that? And what can you do to restore your skin's balance – without completely overhauling your routine?
Cold air outside, dry air inside – a double burden.
In winter, humidity levels change significantly. Cold air can hold less water than warm air. Outdoors, this means that dry, cool air draws moisture from the skin. Indoors, we then heat our homes intensely – and the heating systems further dry out the room air. The result: a constant alternation between cold outdoor air and dry heated air, which puts a strain on the skin's barrier. In short: winter air is like a hairdryer on repeat for the skin – it dries it out slowly but surely.
The skin barrier operates in "economy mode" during winter.
Our skin has a natural protective layer made up of lipids (fats), water, and corneocytes – often referred to as the "hydrolipid film." This layer not only protects us from environmental influences but also prevents excessive moisture loss from the skin (so-called transepidermal water loss).
At low temperatures, however, the activity of the sebaceous glands slows down. They produce fewer lipids, making the protective layer thinner and more permeable. At the same time, the skin is less able to retain water in winter – partly because the blood vessels constrict to conserve heat, which reduces the supply of moisture to the skin's surface.
Hot showers and harsh cleaning intensify the effect.
Especially in winter, we long for long, hot showers or baths – understandable, but unfortunately counterproductive. Hot water further strips the already reduced lipids from the skin's surface. Many conventional cleansing products (e.g., highly foaming shower gels or soaps) can also weaken the skin barrier further by raising the pH level or removing protective oils.
Tip: Shorter, lukewarm showers and mild cleansing products protect the skin barrier and keep the skin supple for longer.
Nutrition & Hydration – Underestimated Factors
You can also support your skin from the inside out. In winter, many people drink less because their thirst is less pronounced. However, insufficient fluid intake can further dry out the skin. Diet also plays a role: Essential fatty acids (e.g., from nuts, seeds, or fish) are important building blocks for the skin barrier. And remember: The skin is not an isolated organ – what the body lacks, it cannot compensate for.
Skincare in winter means: strengthening the barrier & retaining moisture
Even though dry skin often reflexively calls for "more cream", at its core it's about two things:
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Add moisture so that the skin becomes plumper and more elastic again.
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Retaining this moisture in the skin by stabilizing the barrier.
A sensible approach can be to use moisturizing active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid . Particularly small molecular forms – such as oligo-hyaluronic acid – can penetrate deeper into the skin layers and act as moisture reservoirs there.
Both the BOOST hyaluronic serum and the ROYAL peptide serum contain oligo-hyaluronic acid and are therefore particularly suitable for intensively moisturizing the skin and specifically supporting its barrier.
Understand what your skin needs in winter
Dry winter skin isn't a sign that you're using the "wrong" skincare – it's a perfectly normal reaction to environmental changes. Cold air, dry indoor heating, and physiological adaptations all put pressure on the skin barrier. Small adjustments to your daily routine and targeted hydration can go a long way in preventing tightness and flaking.
