Skincare for Freezing & Very Humid Weather

Freezing temperatures combined with high humidity can make skin feel cold and damp outside while heated interiors create dryness later. Wind may leave exposed cheeks, lips and the nose sensitive even though atmospheric humidity is high. Use hydrating serum followed by a protective medium-weight cream and balm on vulnerable areas. Cleanse gently and avoid very hot water. Sunscreen remains important during prolonged outdoor exposure, especially around bright snow or water. Hair may become damp, frizzy and then dry rapidly indoors. Use conditioner and a protective leave-in product, and dry hair fully before prolonged freezing-weather exposure. Avoid aggressive brushing when the hair is cold, wet or tangled.

Hydrate, Cushion and Protect

Imagine spending four to five hours outdoors exploring cold coastlines, snowy forests, fjords or rainy northern towns. Because the weather is cold and damp, you may not feel thirsty and may drink very little water. However, moisture in the air, rain or snow cannot hydrate the body from within. Coffee, sugary drinks and alcohol may also replace regular water during sightseeing stops.

Humidity above 80% may make the air feel wet, but freezing temperatures, wind and repeated movement into heated buildings can still leave the skin uncomfortable. The face may feel damp outdoors while the cheeks, lips and area around the nose become tight or sensitive. Research indicates that low temperatures can reduce skin-barrier performance and increase susceptibility to mechanical stress, particularly when cold is combined with wind or repeated environmental changes.

What may happen to your skin:

• Cold, damp discomfort: Mist, rain or snow may remain on the skin and create a chilled or clammy feeling.
• Dryness beneath the damp surface: The face may appear moist while the cheeks and lips feel dehydrated.
• Wind-related sensitivity: Cold coastal wind may leave exposed areas feeling tight, rough or reactive.
• Rapid indoor-outdoor changes: Moving into heated cafés, hotels and vehicles can make dryness more noticeable.
• Reduced thirst awareness: Cold weather may make travellers forget to drink during long outdoor activities.

The right approach:

The priority is to replenish water and provide a comfortable protective layer against cold, wind and repeated climate changes. Choose:

• A hydrating serum containing glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol or beta-glucan
• A light-to-medium barrier cream containing ceramides, squalane or fatty acids
• A protective balm applied selectively to the lips, cheeks and sides of the nose
• A gentle cream or low-foaming cleanser used with lukewarm water
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin, especially around snow or water
• Regular water intake, even when the weather reduces your sensation of thirst

Apply serum and cream indoors, allowing the products to absorb before going outside. Gently pat rain or melted snow from the face rather than repeatedly rubbing cold, sensitive skin. The ideal mantra for this weather is: Hydrate, Cushion and Protect. Very humid air does not remove the need for moisturiser in freezing weather. The skin still benefits from water-based hydration followed by a protective barrier cream.

Skincare Ideal for These Climates and Countries

Winter / cooler months:

• December-February: Ålesund, Norway; Stockholm, Sweden; Oslo, Norway; Kodiak, USA
• December-March: St Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; Tallinn, Estonia; Riga, Latvia; Vilnius, Lithuania; St. John's, Canada; Sapporo, Japan; Aomori, Japan; Hakodate, Japan; Québec City, Canada; Montréal, Canada; Saint John, Canada
• January-February: Halifax, Canada
• November-March: Tromsø, Norway; Reykjavík, Iceland; Akureyri, Iceland; Murmansk, Russia; Arkhangelsk, Russia; Anchorage, USA; Juneau, USA; Petrozavodsk, Russia; Luleå, Sweden
• October-May: Iqaluit, Canada
• coldest winter days: Bergen, Norway; Stavanger, Norway; Tórshavn, Faroe Islands