Skincare for Freezing & Dry Weather

Freezing, dry air can quickly reduce the skin’s comfort and flexibility. Cheeks, lips and the eye area may feel tight or rough, while repeated transitions into centrally heated rooms can worsen dehydration. Use a hydrating serum followed immediately by a nourishing cream containing ceramides, squalane or other barrier lipids. Apply protective balm to vulnerable areas and avoid harsh cleansing, scrubs and very hot water. Hair may become dry, static-prone and brittle, especially through the ends. Use nourishing conditioner and leave-in cream or serum, and minimise hot styling. Protect hair from strong wind and allow it to dry completely before prolonged exposure to freezing outdoor conditions.

Hydrate, Repair and Seal

In freezing weather with humidity between 30% and 40%, the skin must cope with both cold air and limited environmental moisture. During four to five hours outdoors, wind, physical activity and insufficient water intake may leave the body dehydrated even when visible perspiration is minimal.

The cheeks, lips, eye area and sides of the nose may begin to feel tight first. Moving into centrally heated accommodation, shops and vehicles can intensify dryness. Research shows that low humidity and low temperatures can reduce skin-barrier performance, increase roughness and make the skin more susceptible to physical stress.

What may happen to your skin:

• Progressive moisture loss: Cold, dry air can reduce comfort within the skin’s outer layer.
• Tight cheeks and lips: Exposed areas may feel stretched, rough or uncomfortable.
• More visible dehydration lines: Temporary fine lines may become noticeable around the eyes and mouth.
• Greater sensitivity: Wind, cold and repeated temperature changes may make the skin feel reactive.
• Reduced tolerance for harsh skincare: Strong cleansers, exfoliating acids and scrubs may feel more irritating than usual.

The right approach:

The priority is to add water, replenish barrier-supporting lipids and slow further moisture loss. Choose:

• A hydrating serum containing glycerin, panthenol, beta-glucan or hyaluronic acid
• A nourishing cream containing ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids or squalane
• A protective balm for the lips, cheeks and sides of the nose
• A gentle cream cleanser or low-foaming wash used with lukewarm water
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen in a moisturising cream or lotion base
• Regular water intake and physical protection from wind and snow

Apply hydrating serum immediately after cleansing and follow with cream before the serum dries completely. Winter indoor research has found that heated, low-humidity environments can promote dryness and that ceramide-containing moisturisers may help support skin condition. The ideal mantra for this weather is: Hydrate, Repair and Seal. In freezing, dry weather, a watery serum alone is not enough. Hydration should be followed by a nourishing cream that supports the barrier and helps retain moisture.

Skincare Ideal for These Climates and Countries

Winter / cooler months:

• December-February: Lhasa, China; Hohhot, China; Urumqi, China; Calgary, Canada; Edmonton, Canada; Denver, USA; Salt Lake City, USA; Boise, USA; Spokane, USA; Harbin, China; Beijing, China; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Almaty, Kazakhstan
• December-March: Aspen, USA; Jackson, USA; Bozeman, USA; Erzurum, Türkiye; Kars, Türkiye
• January-February: Yerevan, Armenia
• November-March: Leh, India; Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Astana, Kazakhstan; Yellowknife, Canada; Whitehorse, Canada; Fairbanks, USA; Irkutsk, Russia; Novosibirsk, Russia; Omsk, Russia; Yekaterinburg, Russia; Krasnoyarsk, Russia