Skincare for Freezing & Very Dry Weather

This is one of the most demanding climates for both skin and hair. Freezing temperatures, extremely dry air, wind and indoor heating can leave skin tight, rough, flaky and increasingly sensitive. Apply a hydrating serum followed by a rich barrier cream containing ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids or squalane, then use balm on the lips, cheeks and nose. Cleanse minimally with a gentle cream cleanser and avoid aggressive exfoliation. Hair can become extremely dry, static, brittle and prone to breakage. Use rich conditioner, leave-in cream or serum and reduce shampoo frequency when appropriate. Protect hair physically from wind and freezing air and minimise heat styling.

Repair, Fortify and Shield

Freezing temperatures combined with humidity below 30% create one of the most demanding environments for exposed skin. During a tourist trip, four to five hours outdoors may include dry wind, snow, dust and repeated movement into intensely heated interiors. Because the weather is cold, travellers may not recognise thirst and may drink very little water.

Very dry air can reduce water within the stratum corneum and contribute to tightness, roughness, flaking and reduced flexibility. Research suggests that repeated exposure to low humidity can interfere with normal skin-barrier development and contribute to dry skin, while winter xerosis is commonly associated with cold weather and low relative humidity.

What may happen to your skin:

• Rapid but invisible dehydration: Water loss may occur without visible sweat or strong feelings of thirst.
• Pronounced tightness: The cheeks, lips, eye area and sides of the nose may feel stretched or uncomfortable.
• Roughness and flaking: Very dry air may make the surface appear uneven or dull.
• Cracking around delicate areas: The lips and skin around the nose may become particularly vulnerable.
• Greater reactivity: Wind, cold, scrubbing and strong active ingredients may intensify irritation.

The right approach:

The priority is to restore hydration, reinforce the lipid barrier and shield vulnerable areas from extreme exposure. Choose:

• A hydrating serum containing glycerin, panthenol, beta-glucan or hyaluronic acid
• A rich moisturising cream containing ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids or squalane
• A protective balm or ointment applied selectively to the lips, cheeks and sides of the nose
• A gentle cream cleanser, used only as often as necessary and with lukewarm water
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen in a nourishing, protective texture
• Regular water intake and physical protection using scarves, hats and face coverings

Reduce exfoliating acids, scrubs, clay masks and strong retinoid routines when the skin already feels dry or irritated. Apply skincare indoors and allow each layer to settle before entering freezing air. The ideal mantra for this weather is: Repair, Fortify and Shield. Freezing, extremely dry conditions require the strongest barrier-supporting routine in the Singapore Girl climate system: hydration, nourishing lipids and targeted protection for vulnerable areas.

Skincare Ideal for These Climates and Countries

Winter / cooler months:

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