Why Winter Skin Feels So Dry (and What Actually Helps)

For many people, winter brings more than cold weather. It causes tight, itchy, uncomfortable skin that doesn’t seem to improve, regardless of how much lotion is used.

I talk to frustrated people all the time who are trying to figure out why their moisturizer isn't working. I've also lived this.

A lesson I learned early on

Years ago, when my oldest daughter was a toddler, her skin struggled every winter. Her cheeks stayed red and dry, and her legs were constantly rough and irritated. Like most parents, we did what we thought we were supposed to do and slathered her skin with lotion.

We tried different brands, different textures, different promises.

But nothing really helped.

What we didn’t understand at the time was that many of those lotions were made with mineral oil. They made her skin feel smoother for a bit, but they weren’t actually addressing what her skin needed.

It wasn’t until we stopped using those commercial lotions and learned more about ingredients that the situation changed. We switched to better soaps, gentler laundry detergents, and moisturizers without the everyday chemicals we didn’t realize we were using. Although these products were hard to find, using them helped calm her skin. No more dry red cheeks and scaly, irritated legs for our sweet baby girl.

That experience stayed with me.

Why winter skin is especially vulnerable

Winter skin is under stress from multiple directions:

• Cold air holds less moisture

• Indoor heating dries the air further

• Hot showers and frequent handwashing increase moisture loss

Even diligent moisturizing can fall short if the products being used aren’t supporting the skin beyond the surface.

Why lotion doesn’t always solve the problem

Lotions made with mineral oil tend to sit on top of the skin, creating a temporary barrier. That can feel comforting at first, but it doesn’t always support the deeper layers of the skin that need nourishment. This problem can become exaggerated in the winter.

Plant-based oils such as almond, avocado, and jojoba absorb more readily. That deep hydration lasts longer and then I hear comments like this one:

"I applied lotion. The next day, after having washed the dishes, my hands still felt the benefits."

With most lotions, people need to reapply every time they wash their hands or do the dishes. When you use lotion that soaks in, you don't need it as often.

What real winter hydration feels like

When skin is properly supported, many people notice:

• Less tightness throughout the day

• Skin that still feels comfortable after washing

• Less urgency to reapply constantly

Simple habits that support winter skin

A few small shifts can make a meaningful difference:

• Apply lotion shortly after showering, while skin is still slightly damp

• Use warm water instead of very hot water when bathing

• Choose products made with plant-based oils that absorb well
  

A gentle place to begin

When I formulated Quench Body Lotion, my goal was to support thirsty winter skin with lightweight hydration that absorbs beautifully and continues working beyond the moment you apply it.

Everyone’s skin is different, but understanding what winter skin truly needs can help you make choices that feel better.