Last updated: October 2026
Short answer: Cold outdoor air holds little moisture and indoor heat dries the air further, so skin loses water faster in winter. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests warm (not hot) showers, moisturizing right after washing, switching from lotion to a cream or ointment, fragrance-free products, covering hands and face outdoors, and a cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom. To see how dry the air is where you live, check our free Dry Skin Forecast by ZIP code.
Why does skin get so dry in winter?
Your skin's outer layer holds water best when the air around it is humid. In winter, cold air outside holds little moisture, and furnaces, space heaters and fireplaces dry indoor air even more. Hot showers and frequent hand washing then strip away the oils that help skin hold water. The result is the tight, flaky, sometimes cracked skin many people get from November to March.
Our free Dry Skin Forecast uses National Weather Service data to show how dry the air will be at your ZIP code over the next week, so you know which days to step up your routine.
Morning routine
- Keep showers short and warm, not hot. Pat dry instead of rubbing.
- Within a few minutes, while skin is still damp, apply a cream to your face and body. Damp skin holds onto moisture better.
- Use a lip balm before you go out.
- Wear gloves outside and cover your face on very cold or windy days.
During the day
- Apply hand cream after every hand wash. Keep a small jar in your bag, car or desk.
- Wear gloves for dishes and cleaning, so hot water and detergent don't strip your hands.
- Dress warmly and use blankets instead of turning the heat up. Dermatologists note that turning up the heat dries out the air and your skin.
Night routine
- Run a cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom, and clean it regularly so mold doesn't grow.
- Apply a generous layer of cream to hands, elbows and heels.
- For very dry hands or feet, slip on clean cotton gloves or socks over the cream. Our cotton glove night routine and cracked heel routine walk through it.
What kind of moisturizer works best in winter?
Switch from a thin lotion to a cream or ointment. The AAD says creams and ointments work better and irritate less than lotions, and suggests gentle, fragrance-free products. Look for moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, shea butter, petrolatum, dimethicone or hyaluronic acid. If you use exfoliating acids (ingredients that loosen dead skin cells) such as glycolic or salicylic acid, the AAD suggests cutting back in winter.
Corium 21 is an aloe vera skin cream for dry skin with certified organic aloe vera as its first ingredient, plus glycerin, soluble collagen, niacinamide and vitamins A, C, D3 and E. It is a cream, not a lotion, and it absorbs well, so you can use it morning and night on your face, hands and body. Fragrance Free is the same formula with the fragrance left out. A quart with pump by the kitchen or bathroom sink makes it easy to apply after every wash. Not sure yet? Free Samples are two 0.5 oz jars, one Classic and one Fragrance Free, for $3.95 shipping (one per customer). Full sizes come with our 90-day promise: if it isn't right for you, email support@corium21.com within 90 days for a refund of the product price, even if the jar is opened. Questions? Call (800) 319-5114 and talk to a real person.
Skin dried out by the heater or the wind
Heater-dried skin usually feels tight all over, especially on the shins, arms and face. A humidifier and cream on damp skin after bathing help most. Wind-dried skin tends to show up on the cheeks, nose and lips; cover up outdoors and reapply cream and lip balm when you come in.
When to see a doctor
See a dermatologist if your skin cracks and bleeds, itches enough to keep you up at night, or doesn't improve after a couple of weeks of consistent care. The AAD advises not waiting until skin is bleeding or cracked.
For more numbers on how common dry skin is, see our dry skin and hand eczema statistics.
Questions people ask
What helps cracked hands in winter?
Wash with lukewarm water and a gentle soap, apply a hand cream after every wash, and wear gloves outdoors and for dishes. At night, apply a thick layer of cream and wear cotton gloves. See a doctor if cracks bleed or don't get better.
What is the best winter moisturizer for dry skin?
A cream or ointment, not a thin lotion, applied right after bathing while skin is still damp. Fragrance-free products are gentlest. Corium 21 is an aloe vera cream with certified organic aloe vera first, available in Fragrance Free.
What is the best moisturizer for a dry face in winter?
A cream that absorbs well enough to wear under makeup or sunscreen, applied morning and night on damp skin. If your face is sensitive, choose fragrance free and cut back on exfoliating acids during winter.
How do I keep my skin from drying out in winter?
Take short, warm showers, moisturize within minutes of bathing and hand washing, run a humidifier at night, wear gloves outdoors, and use a cream instead of a lotion. Check how dry your local air is with the free Dry Skin Forecast.
What should I use for dry skin from the heater?
Run a cool-mist humidifier, keep the thermostat lower and dress warmly, and apply a cream to damp skin after bathing. Reapply on the shins, arms and hands, which tend to dry first.
Do cotton gloves and hand cream overnight work?
Many people find it helps. Gloves keep the cream on your hands instead of your sheets for several hours. Apply a generous layer at bedtime and wear clean, breathable cotton gloves.
What is the best cream for wind-dried skin?
A cream that absorbs well, reapplied after you come indoors, plus a lip balm. Cover your face on very windy days.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology. Cold weather and your skin. https://www.aad.org/news/cold-weather-and-your-skin
- American Academy of Dermatology. Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin
- National Weather Service. https://www.weather.gov/
About this page
Corium 21 is a family-owned company that makes a moisturizing cream with certified organic aloe vera. Trusted since 1994. Family-owned in Oregon. Certified organic aloe vera is the cream's first ingredient (see the full list). It is a cosmetic moisturizer: it moisturizes and helps relieve dryness. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This page is general information, not medical advice. If your skin is cracked and bleeding, painful, or not getting better, see a doctor or dermatologist.