Let us set the scene winter bunnies.
Hot chocolate in one hand, TV remote in the other. A cosy knit, a pair of fluffy socks, leggings (because when you’re in the comfort of your own home, YES they are pants) – it’s pure Winter bliss.
Your fave Netflix show is playing and the heater is like a warm little hug. Can life get any better?
As much as it’s lovely being a winter bunny and wearing clothes big enough to hide any pasta binges, often we forget about how the cooler months can take a toll on our skin – both on the face and the body!
So if your skin is feeling dry or tight, maybe even a bit scaly or flaky, here are 9 quick ways to hydrate the skin and combat dry skin.
1. Switch to body oil
While body lotion is good for hydrating the skin, step up your moisturising game by swapping your regular lotion for a nourishing body oil. Try a body oil that contains macadamia oil. Macadamia oil is the go-to super hydrator as it helps to lock in moisture and support the skin’s natural protective barrier. Some may feel a little apprehensive about applying an oil to the body – slippery oily mess? Fear not. The oil absorbs quickly and easily into the skin so no sticky, slimy feeling.
Top tip: Try out Skinstitut Multiactive Oil. It can be applied by itself or mixed with Skinstitut Laser Aid for a nourishing body moisturiser. You can also mix it in with your regular body lotion to boost its hydrating properties.
2. Boost hydration with a targeted treatment
Try our Hydrating Skin Package which helps to replenish moisture levels and helps revitalise the appearance of dull skin. Another option? Our 5-Step Microdermabrasion which can be fully tailored to your skin type!
You could also check out the HydraFacial treatment. It uses vortex technology to extract impurities, hydrate the skin, and exfoliate, delivering instant results without any downtime.
Top tip: Combine these treatments with Skinstitut’s Hydration range which include Multi-Active Mist, Hydrating Mask and Moisturise Defence.
3. Show your hands and feet some love by applying lotion
Repeat after us, love your extremities. The skin on your hands and feet are particularly susceptible to dry skin during Winter. Your hands are weathering the cold more than any other area of your body. Up the hydration by regularly applying hand lotion.
Top tip: Apply Skinstitut Enymatic Micro Peel and your feet will not only be soft and nourished, they'll be gently exfoliated too!
4. Make your humidifier your bestie
Use a humidifier to keep moisture in your home and office air, or keep a bowl of water on your radiators to add moisture to the air
5. Wise up on skin foods
Food has a major impact on skin health. Remember the following rules:
- Drink plenty of water – hydrated skin starts with a healthy obsession with H20.
- Avoid salty foods – it dehydrates the skin even further
- Make sure you’re eating plenty of good fats like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Look to flaxseed oil, walnuts and walnut oils as your source.
6. Use overnight Emollients
Let’s talk about emollients. Believe it or not, you’re probably already using them without realising it. That rich, creamy lotion you slather on after a shower? Yep, that’s an emollient. Emollients are skin-smoothing agents that fill in the gaps between flaky, dry skin cells, creating a silky surface that’s smooth to the touch.
Overnight emollients are your secret weapon if you have dry skin flare-ups, especially in the winter. Why? Because it’s prime time for repair. While you sleep, your skin’s barrier function is in full restoration mode, making this the perfect opportunity to lock in hydration. Using a rich formula ensures your skin soaks up all the hydration without interference from daytime activities like sun exposure or hand washing.
And, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology by Marie Lodén, emollients do much more than just moisturise the skin. They help repair the skin’s natural barrier, reduce water loss, and soothe dryness linked to conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis.
Top tip: Reach for an emollient packed with ceramides or shea butter.. We recommend Skinstitut’s Vitamin C Ceramide Moisturiser, which also acts as a hydrating and anti-inflammatory moisturiser. Apply a pea-sized amount morning and night as the final step in your routine—before SPF during the day and as your nighttime skin saviour.
7. Keep your skincare routine simple, silly!
When the winter chill hits, your skin might throw a bit of a tantrum and for good reason! Cold temperatures trigger your skin’s natural defence mechanisms, produce inflammatory molecules and even kick-start itch and flare-ups by activating certain receptors in your skin. This is especially common in those with sensitive skin or conditions like atopic dermatitis. Translation? The colder it gets, the more your skin says, "Help me out here!"
Winter skin needs gentle care, so avoid overcomplicating your routine with a cocktail of products. Stick to a basic routine: cleansing with someone mild, moisturising, and never skipping the SPF (yes, even in winter).
8. Bathe in lukewarm water
When winter’s icy grip sets in, there’s nothing more alluring than a long, hot shower to melt away the chill. But before taking that hot, steamy bath, consider this: hot water may feel amazing but it’s not your skin’s best friend.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine sheds light on this. Researchers found that hot water significantly increased transepidermal water loss (TWEL), skin pH, and redness—all are clear indicators of a weakened skin barrier.
Cold water wasn’t as damaging but it still had a milder impact on these two factors.
The takeaway is that long exposure to hot water can rid your skin of its essential oils, and make it prone to dryness, irritation, and redness.
Keep your skin happy by sticking to 10-15 minute baths in lukewarm water. After your shower, skip the towel-dry and apply a nourishing moisturiser directly to damp skin to lock in all that hydration.
9. Don’t over-exfoliate
Gentle exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover, revealing fresh and radiant skin beneath. But too much of a good thing is a recipe for disaster.
Over-exfoliating may cause redness and irritation due to excessive thinning of your skin’s outer layer. Worse, it may compromise your skin barrier, leading to dehydration, sensitivity, and visible blood vessels (telangiectasias or broken capillaries).
The golden rule is to exfoliate thoughtfully. Stick to a routine that’s ideal for your skin type. And if you’re unsure what’s best for your skin type, don’t wing it—consult a dermatologist for expert advice.
Winter doesn’t have to mean waving the white flag to dry, flaky skin. These simple, practical tips can keep your skin hydrated, glowing, and happy.
And if you’re not entirely sure what your skin needs, don’t play the guessing game. Schedule a visit with a dermatologist or consult one of our expert Skin Therapists. They'll help you craft a tailored plan so your skin doesn’t just survive the winter—it thrives.
