Skincare for Cold & Very Humid Weather

Cold rain and very humid air may make the face feel wet or clammy, yet cold wind and repeated movement into heated interiors can still create dehydration beneath the surface. Use a hydrating serum followed by a light barrier-supporting lotion or cream, with balm around the lips and other wind-exposed areas. A gentle cleanser is preferable to strong foaming formulas, and sunscreen remains useful during prolonged daylight outdoors. Hair may become damp, frizzy and difficult to style, while wind increases tangling. Use lightweight conditioner and anti-frizz leave-in protection. Gently dry wet hair rather than leaving it damp for long periods in cold conditions, and avoid excessive heat when blow-drying.

Hydrate, Calm and Protect

Imagine spending four to five hours outdoors exploring fjords, rainy towns, waterfalls or misty coastal landscapes. Because the weather feels cold and damp, you may not feel thirsty and may drink considerably less water than you would in hot weather. However, rain and atmospheric moisture do not hydrate the body from within, and the skin can still become dehydrated during a long tourist day.

Humidity above 80% may leave the skin feeling damp, but cold wind and repeated movement into heated hotels, cafés, vehicles and shops can produce very different conditions throughout the day. The face may feel moist outdoors yet become tight indoors, particularly around the cheeks, lips and mouth. Temperature, humidity and airflow can influence measurements of skin hydration and transepidermal water loss.

What may happen to your skin:

• Cold, damp surface: Rain and mist may remain on the face, creating a clammy or uncomfortable feeling.
• Dryness beneath the dampness: The skin may appear moist outside while the cheeks and lips feel dehydrated.
• Wind-related discomfort: Cold coastal wind may leave exposed areas feeling tight, sensitive or irritated.
• Changing indoor and outdoor conditions: Moving from saturated outdoor air into heated interiors may disturb skin comfort.
• Product buildup: Sunscreen, makeup, sebum and environmental particles may remain on the damp skin surface.

The right approach:

The priority is to replenish water, calm exposed skin and provide light barrier support. Choose:

• A hydrating serum containing glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol or beta-glucan
• A light barrier-supporting lotion rather than either a watery gel alone or an excessively rich cream
• Soothing ingredients such as allantoin, centella, oat derivatives or panthenol
• A gentle, low-foaming cleanser to remove sunscreen and environmental buildup
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen in a comfortable lotion or cream-gel texture
• Lip balm and regular water intake during long sightseeing trips

Pat rainwater or mist from the face rather than repeatedly rubbing it. At night, cleanse gently, apply hydrating serum while the skin is slightly damp and follow with lotion. The ideal mantra for this weather is: Hydrate, Calm and Protect. Very humid outdoor air does not remove the need for hydration, particularly when cold wind and heated indoor environments are also part of the journey.

Skincare Ideal for These Climates and Countries

Winter / cooler months:

• December-February: London, United Kingdom; Paris, France; Milan, Italy; Venice, Italy; Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Bilbao, Spain; Porto, Portugal
• June-August: Wellington, New Zealand; Queenstown, New Zealand
• November-February: Portland, USA
• November-March: Stavanger, Norway; Glasgow, United Kingdom; Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Belfast, United Kingdom; Dublin, Ireland; Galway, Ireland; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Brussels, Belgium; Bruges, Belgium; Hamburg, Germany; Copenhagen, Denmark; Ljubljana, Slovenia; Zurich, Switzerland; Geneva, Switzerland; Vancouver, Canada; Seattle, USA
• October-April: Bergen, Norway; Ålesund, Norway
• October-May: Reykjavík, Iceland

Shoulder months:

• May & September-October: Tromsø, Norway