Dry skin in winter: what air humidity really changes
By Jeremy Fain, founder of Restelys. Updated 17 October 2026. 2 sources cited.
Cold is not the only culprit. Dry air, outdoors and in heated rooms, is what weakens the skin barrier most.
A review of the dermatology literature showed that low air humidity and low temperatures reduce the hydration of the stratum corneum, increase water loss through the skin and make it more sensitive to irritants.
Winter combines these factors: cold air outside, heating inside, hotter and longer showers. The skin feels tight, sometimes reddens, and can itch.
The answer is simple and documented: cleanse gently, then apply a care that holds water, like glycerin, and protects it, like the squalane and colloidal oatmeal in our body lotion.
Sources
- Engebretsen K.A. et al. “The effect of environmental humidity and temperature on skin barrier function and dermatitis”. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2016.
- Proksch E., Brandner J.M., Jensen J.M. “The skin: an indispensable barrier”. Experimental Dermatology, 2008.
The studies cited concern the ingredient or the skin, not our finished products.
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