⚡ Key takeaways (TL;DR)
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Winter takes its toll on your skin. In cold weather , the drop in humidity and dry air promote dehydration : tightness, itching, redness, and irritation are the first signs of dry skin in winter . The culprits? Temperature fluctuations, indoor heating, and also a deficiency in fatty acids , essential for protecting the lipid barrier and maintaining long-term hydration. Nooance Paris explains how to prevent seasonal dryness and keep your complexion radiant all year round.
Why is skin drier in winter?
During winter, ambient humidity can drop below 30% , accelerating the evaporation of water from the skin's surface. Cold weather, as well as heating and sunlight, are other factors that weaken the skin's protective barrier and make it more vulnerable to temperature changes in the cold season.
Vasoconstriction and slowing of cutaneous metabolism
Cold weather constricts blood capillaries, the tiny vessels that connect arteries and veins; this is called vasoconstriction . Cells then receive less oxygen and nutrients. The same thing happens to the skin: microcirculation slows down, cell renewal is less efficient, and the skin becomes duller, more fragile, and more prone to dryness.
Alteration of the hydrolipidic film and decrease in ceramides
Another phenomenon caused by winter weather is the alteration of the hydrolipidic film . Under the effect of cold, lipids tend to solidify, making the skin barrier more rigid and fragile.
The activity of the sebaceous glands also decreases, resulting in lower sebum production and a drop in ceramides , which are essential for the protective function of the skin barrier.
Thermal shock and dry air (indoor heating)
Finally, the temperature difference between outside and inside creates a thermal shock, which is particularly damaging to facial skin. Going from freezing air to a very warm interior can exacerbate skin stress and moisture loss , leaving skin dry, sensitive, and uncomfortable.
Winter xerosis: when the cold dries out the skin
When skin dryness becomes very pronounced, it is called winter xerosis , a skin condition very common during periods of sharp drops in temperature. It manifests as rough, peeling skin, sometimes described as a "crocodile skin" effect .
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📚 Technical Glossary
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Dry skin or dehydrated skin: how to tell the difference and why is it important?
Identifying your skin type allows you to choose suitable facial care products and avoid worsening skin imbalances. Here are the signs to watch for to understand your skin's true needs.
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Skin type |
Dry skin |
Dehydrated skin |
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Cause |
Lack of essential lipids |
Lack of water in the epidermis |
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Common symptoms |
A persistent feeling of discomfort |
Temporary tensions |
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Visible signs |
Rough, itchy, or peeling skin |
Dull complexion, dehydration lines |
In winter, skin can be both dry and dehydrated, as the lack of natural moisture is exacerbated by the dry weather. If the skin barrier isn't adequately protected, the symptoms become increasingly pronounced. That's why protective , lipid-rich moisturizing skincare is essential during this time.
The ideal skincare routine to prevent skin dehydration
Nooance-Paris has developed a special infallible dry skin facial routine thanks to powerful active ingredients that repair the epidermis lastingly and beauty gestures that make all the difference.
Step 1: Gentle cleaning
- Every morning, cleanse your skin with a gentle, soap-free cleanser , favoring milky textures or oils.
- In the evening, a double cleansing is essential to effectively remove makeup and impurities accumulated during the day, without damaging the skin barrier already weakened by the cold.
Step 2: Hydration
Next, apply a hyaluronic acid moisturizing serum directly to clean, damp skin. This type of serum retains moisture to prevent dryness. Hyaluronic acid's benefits lie in its ability to attract water to the epidermis, plump the skin, and improve skin comfort. It's a safe and effective hydrating agent and an excellent choice for dry and fragile skin during winter.
Step 3: Sun protection (Yes, even in winter)
Ultraviolet rays are less intense in winter, but they can still further weaken our skin barrier. UVA rays are present even on cloudy days, and in the long term, sun exposure contributes to skin dehydration, premature aging, and the worsening of dryness.
It is therefore essential to apply a city sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 daily to protect your skin, especially in the mountains where UV exposure increases considerably.
Step 4: Seal with lipids and ceramides
Finally, moisture is retained in the skin by using an occlusive cream containing lipids: the role of ceramides is essential to protect the skin from cold and dry air.
For a complete routine, discover the Youth Serum with peptides from Nooance Paris: peptides support the skin's natural repair mechanisms, boost cell regeneration, reduce redness and deeply hydrate the skin.
###Youth Serum with 2 Copper Peptides###
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✨ Key Assets
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Soothing the skin from within: the key role of micronutrition and LED light
At Nooance, we favor a holistic approach to beauty, to act both on the visible signs of damaged skin (topical facial treatments) and on the causes of your skin problems (nutritional deficiencies, accelerated cellular aging).
Nutrient deficiencies that worsen dry skin
Vitamins that strengthen the skin barrier include:
- Vitamin D : it supports the body's immune defenses against external aggressions and contributes to the proper functioning of the skin barrier, often weakened in winter by lack of sun exposure.
- Vitamins C and E : They provide antioxidant protection to the skin, prevent skin reactions related to cold and promote a radiant complexion in winter.
For a comprehensive beauty routine that works on skin hydration from within, the 360° Beauty Concentrate supplement (product link) is your ally in winter: a formula rich in vitamins complemented by powerful active ingredients that support the skin barrier, radiance and comfort against seasonal aggressions: collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, Damasty® .
Beauty Tech: Photobiomodulation to soothe inflammation caused by cold
The LED face mask acts as a true skin soother in winter. The red light boosts cellular ATP, the energy of skin cells, supports microcirculation , and helps the skin better combat inflammation caused by cold and temperature variations.
###Elite-X600-LED-mask###
3 common mistakes that ruin your skin barrier in winter
Baths that were too hot
A water temperature above 38°C is sufficient to dissolve the skin's natural lipids.
Excessive exfoliation
Exfoliate, yes, but gently : overly abrasive movements damage the skin barrier instead of promoting better absorption of skincare products.
Neglecting lip and eye contour hydration
Lip balm and a moisturizing eye contour treatment are equally essential in winter: particularly thin and fragile, these areas dry out more quickly in winter and require intense daily hydration.
FAQ: Your questions about skin in winter
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Should you change your moisturizer in winter?
If your skin is much drier in winter, you can replace your light hydrating serum with rich hyaluronic acid creams, which are better suited to cold temperatures and dry air.
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Why does my skin itch when it's cold?
Itching is a normal reaction of the skin to dryness. To reduce discomfort, adopt a skincare routine for dry skin and provide your body with the nutrients it needs to fight inflammation.
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Is retinol not recommended in winter?
No, you can continue using your retinol skincare products in winter to benefit from the anti-aging properties of this active ingredient. However, it is essential to intensely moisturize your skin to protect the hydrolipidic film and prevent irritation.
Scientific sources and references
This article is based on the following publications:
- Impact of winter on skin dryness:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10264749
- Link between low humidity and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which weakens the skin barrier: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39935117
- Impact of photobiomodulation on reducing inflammation: https://www.the-pbm.info/recherches-scientifiques-photobiomodulation
