Ditch the Itch of Winter Dry Skin

Winter may bring cozy sweaters, hot cocoa, and festive vibes, but it also brings a less welcome guest—dry, itchy skin! If your skin feels tight, flaky, or just plain uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Cold air, indoor heating, and long hot showers zap moisture from your skin, leaving it dehydrated and irritated. But don’t worry! With a few simple tweaks to your routine, you can keep your skin soft, smooth, and happy all season long. First, let’s talk about why winter is so hard.

Why Winter Wreaks Havoc on Your Skin

Ever wonder why your skin feels so much drier in the winter? It’s all about moisture—or the lack of it!

• Cold air + low humidity = moisture loss from your skin. The humidity in my soap studio as I write this is 18%. So low that I have to boil a pot of water to get it high enough to make bath bombs.
• Indoor heating - makes things even drier. We keep our thermostat at 68F and we still struggle.
• Hot showers -strip away natural oils, leaving skin even more vulnerable. What a dilemma – the season you most want to stand in the shower as hot as you can stand it for as long as you can, to find out it’s not great for your skin.
• Colds & Flu & Norovirus, oh MY –mean frequent hand washing and cleaning, as you try to prevent your entire family from spreading the pestilence around.

But the good news? A few small changes can make a big difference in keeping your skin hydrated and comfortable.

Hydration is Key: Inside & Out

The first step to soft, healthy skin is hydration—both from within and on the surface.

• Drink plenty of water. Even though we don’t feel as thirsty in winter, our skin still needs hydration from the inside out.
• Switch to a richer moisturizer. Look for ingredients like shea butter, mango butter, or jojoba to lock in moisture. If you don’t normally use lotion, start there! If you’re already putting on lotion, step up to a deep hydration product like lotion bars or body butter.
• Apply moisturizer right after showering. Damp skin absorbs products better, so slather on your favorite lotion or body butter while your skin is still slightly damp.
• Wear gloves when cleaning. Protect the skin on your hands - they are far more exposed than any other skin on your body.

Gentle Cleansing & Exfoliation

Winter is the perfect time to rethink your cleansing routine.

• Use a moisturizing soap. Harsh soaps can strip away your skin’s protective barrier, making dryness worse. Opt for a gentle, nourishing formula – for me with fair, sensitive skin, it’s my Goat Milk Lavender Shea Soap with oatmeal and honey.
• Exfoliate—but don’t overdo it. A light exfoliation 1-2 times a week helps remove dead skin cells and allows your moisturizer to absorb better. Too much exfoliation, however, can lead to irritation. Once a week is plenty for me. There are lots of options for scrubs, but I find a sugar scrub to be kinder to dry, irritated skin.

4. Shower & Bath Tips for Soft Skin

Long, hot showers feel amazing when it’s freezing outside, but they’re actually drying out your skin!

• Keep showers lukewarm. Hot water strips away natural oils.
• Limit shower time. Try to keep it under 10 minutes to prevent excess moisture loss.
• Add hydration to your bath. A sprinkle of oatmeal or a few drops of body oil can soothe and nourish dry skin. Enjoy a bath bomb rich with cocoa butter!

5. Protect Your Skin from the Elements

The Polar Vortex we've been experiencing can lead your body to make it's own flurries!

• Wear gloves, scarves, and hats. This protects your skin from the cold, wind, and dry air. This is especially important for our hands and faces – lips in particular.
• Use a humidifier indoors. Adding moisture to the air helps prevent your skin from drying out, reduces those painful static shocks, and just makes your home more livable.

6. Special Care for Hands, Feet & Lips

Some areas of your body are more prone to dryness, so they need a little extra love!

• Hands: Washing frequently (especially in flu season) can dry out your hands. Keep a thick, nourishing hand cream nearby and reapply as needed.
• Feet: Exfoliate your feet once a week and apply a rich foot balm each night before bed—wear socks overnight for extra hydration. Keep those tootsies in sandal shape all year round!
• Lips: Dry, chapped lips? Keep a moisturizing lip balm handy and resist the urge to lick your lips – I keep a balm in every coat pocket. Use an exfoliating lip scrub weekly to prevent chewing or picking at loose skin.

7. Nourish Your Skin with a Hydrating Mask

Sometimes, your skin needs an extra boost. My Oats & Honey Clay Maskis the perfect way to give your face (or other skin!) some much-needed TLC!

DIY Winter Hydration Mask

Mix together:
✅ 1 tbsp of mask powder
✅ 1 tbsp water
✅ 1 tbsp yogurt (soothes and gently exfoliates)

Apply a layer to clean skin and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. It may not completely dry in that amount of time, but that’s okay! Rinse with warm water and follow with your favorite moisturizer. Your skin will feel soft, smooth, and refreshed. Watch me below 👇🏻

8. Don’t Forget Your Hair!

Cold air and indoor heating don’t just dry out your skin—they can leave your hair brittle, frizzy, and prone to breakage. Here’s how to keep your locks soft and healthy:

• Deep condition weekly. A deep-conditioning Cowash Shampoo Bar helps replenish lost moisture.
• Limit heat styling. Blow dryers and curling irons can make dryness worse, so try air-drying when possible.
• Use a hydrating shampoo. Switch to a Conditioning Shampoo Bar to prevent stripping natural oils.
• Scalp care matters. If your scalp is itchy or flaky, massage in a little lightweight oil (like argan or jojoba) before shampooing. I love to use Emu Oil to deep condition my scalp.
• Protect your hair from the elements. Wear a hat or hood to shield your hair from cold, dry air.

Dry, itchy winter skin doesn’t have to be the norm! With a few simple changes, you can keep your skin glowing all season long.

Ready to give your skin the love it deserves? Check out my moisturizing soaps, gentle scrubs, lotions, and mask powder to keep dryness at bay!

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