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Radiofrequency or hyaluronic acid? Skin that has loosened and a face that has hollowed do not call for the same procedure. What each does, and what it does not.
You wash your face on a November morning and the skin pulls. Your cheeks flush outdoors. Foundation catches where it glided in September. Nothing changed in your routine, yet your skin is not the same.
Here is what is known about that change, the habits that help, and the point where it is no longer a seasonal matter.
What you notice once the cold hits
Most people describe the same thing, in the same order:
- a tight feeling after the shower or after washing your face;
- flushed cheeks, especially when you come inside from the cold;
- skin that catches makeup or looks duller and more marked;
- small flaky patches around the nose or chin.
None of this means your skin has changed. It means the air around it has.
What research has measured on the cheeks
A Danish team, in Copenhagen, measured the skin of 80 healthy volunteers, in winter and then in summer (Engebretsen et al., British Journal of Dermatology, 2018). It looked at two places: the cheeks and the back of the hand.
On the cheeks, in winter, the skin held less natural moisturizing factor, the substances that keep water in the top layer. Its surface was also more textured under the microscope. That fits what you feel.
Two limits are worth stating plainly:
- on the back of the hand, the team found the opposite: more natural moisturizing factor in winter than in summer;
- the volunteers were Danish, adults aged 18 to 40 or 70 and over. The authors themselves note that firm conclusions are difficult to draw. One study does not transfer as is to a Quebec winter.
According to this study, cheek skin is different in winter, and hand skin is not different in the same way.
So there is one solid lead: your face reacts to the season, and not the way the rest of your body does.
What dries the skin on top of the cold
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), several winter habits add to the cold air:
- dry heated air, which keeps drying the skin indoors;
- long, very hot showers or baths, which strip away the oils the skin keeps;
- wind and dry cold, when the skin stays exposed.
A word on redness: a cheek that flushes between outside and inside is common. If it stays red, or if it burns, go to the last section.
The AAD's list, in plain terms
The AAD publishes a list of tips to soothe dry skin. Here are the ones that apply to the face, and what they change:
| What bothers you | The habit | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Tightness after the shower | A short shower with lukewarm rather than hot water | Avoids stripping the skin of its oils |
| Skin that catches and looks dull | A fragrance-free moisturizer, applied right after the shower or washing | Keeps water in the skin while it is still damp |
| Dry air at home | A humidifier | Makes the air less drying, especially at night |
| Cheeks that flush outdoors | A scarf, gloves, whatever shields you from dry cold | Limits direct contact with wind and cold |
One last habit that is easy to forget in November: sunscreen. The AAD recommends SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum, to protect against the sun. The pages we consulted do not speak about winter in particular. The sun does not take a break.
What if your skin looks dull even when hydrated?
Skin can be well hydrated and still look flat or uneven: the grain is more visible, the complexion lacks light. A moisturizer does not always answer that.
If that is you, the skin texture and quality page explains what plays a part, and what we look at during the assessment. For the tight feeling itself, the dehydrated skin page goes further.
When dryness is no longer a seasonal matter
The habits above help most people. That said, the AAD is clear: if dryness persists despite them, get it assessed.
See a doctor or a dermatologist if:
- the skin stays red, burns or itches despite moisturizer;
- it cracks, bleeds or develops patches that spread;
- the tightness does not go away in spring.
It is not for us to say what lies behind these signs, and we will not. That is a doctor's job.
One last thing for anyone thinking about a treatment this winter: fragile skin can delay a clinic treatment. That is decided at the assessment, by looking at your skin, never from a general rule. If you are thinking of an appointment, our article on facial laser before the holidays explains how we count the weeks.
Questions we get asked
Why does my skin feel tighter in winter?
Cold, wind and dry indoor heat dry the skin. A Danish study measured less natural moisturizing factor on the cheeks of Danish volunteers in winter than in summer. It does not say what happens to you, but it points the same way as what you feel.
Do I need sunscreen in winter?
The AAD recommends SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum, to protect against the sun. The page we consulted does not cover snow or winter in particular.
Do hot showers dry out the skin?
Yes, it is one of the points on the AAD's list: a short shower with lukewarm water is preferred, followed by a fragrance-free moisturizer right away.
When should you see someone about dry skin?
If dryness persists despite simple habits, or if the skin becomes red, burning or cracked, have a doctor assess it. The AAD says so too.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology, "Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin." Read the page
- Engebretsen KA et al., "Changes in filaggrin degradation products and corneocyte surface texture by season," British Journal of Dermatology, 2018;178(5):1143-1150. PubMed
- American Academy of Dermatology, "Practice safe sun." Read the page
