Dry skin in a New Zealand winter: what actually helps
Winter dryness usually comes from several things at once: cold wind, heated rooms, hot showers and harsher washing. What helps most is unexciting: shorter, warm showers, a gentler cleanser, a thicker moisturiser on damp skin, and sun protection when you need it. A hydrating mask is a nice extra, not the solution.
Why winter does this
DermNet's page on dry skin reads like a description of a New Zealand winter: low humidity in cool, windy conditions, direct heat from a fire or fan heater, excessive bathing, and soap. A cold southerly on the way to work, a heated office, a long hot shower, then an evening by the fire or heat pump. Each seems small, and together they add up to a face that feels tight by bedtime.
Change these first
- Shorten your shower and turn it down a bit. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests five to ten minutes in warm water, with the bathroom door shut.
- Swap soap for a gentle cleanser. See why skin feels tight after washing.
- Moisturise while damp. Both DermNet and the AAD say this. Keep moisturiser in the bathroom so it's right there.
- Go thicker than in summer. DermNet says the drier the skin, the thicker the product should be. Occlusive ingredients such as petroleum jelly and dimethicone reduce water loss.
- Reapply as needed. The AAD suggests several times a day if your skin is dry.
Things to go easy on in winter
- Exfoliating acids and scrubs. Flaky skin makes you want to scrub, but it usually needs moisture rather than removal.
- Retinoids. Medsafe's data sheet for tretinoin warns that strong wind or cold, dry air may irritate skin in people using it. You may want to use a retinol less often over the coldest months. If yours is prescribed, ask your doctor.
- Clay masks, particularly on skin that's already dry.
- Very hot water on your face. The AAD says lukewarm.
Sun in winter
Winter UV is much lower but it isn't nothing, and SunSmart says you still need protection at high altitude, skiing or tramping. Here's how to work out what you need.
A simple winter routine
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Morning | Rinse or gentle cleanse, moisturiser, sunscreen if UV calls for it |
| Night | Gentle cleanse, a hydrating serum if you like, a thick moisturiser |
| Once or twice a week | A hydrating mask, if you enjoy one |
Where a mask comes in
A hydrating mask is a pleasant break from all of that, and our dry skin page has the formulas we'd start with. Hyaluronic Acid is for skin that feels tight and thirsty, and Rose is for dry skin you'd like to feel soft and smooth. It's short-term comfort rather than a winter plan, so follow it with moisturiser. Check what your heat pump is doing too.
When it's more than dry skin
See your GP if your skin cracks or bleeds, itches enough to disturb your sleep, or if you have red, scaly patches that don't improve after a couple of weeks of good moisturising.
Questions
Why is my skin so dry in winter even when I moisturise?
Your moisturiser may be too light for the season, or your cleanser and hot showers may be undoing its work. Try a thicker cream on damp skin, and make your showers shorter and cooler.
Is it OK to exfoliate dry winter skin?
Go gently, and less often. Scrubs and acids can make dry skin worse. Moisturising more often usually does more for flakes than scrubbing them away.
This is general information, not medical advice. If you're worried about your skin, see your GP or a skin specialist.
Sources
- Dry skin, DermNet
- Dry skin: self-care, American Academy of Dermatology
- Emollients and moisturisers, DermNet
- ReTrieve Cream (tretinoin) data sheet, Medsafe
- Face washing 101, American Academy of Dermatology
- Ultraviolet radiation, skin cancer and sun protection facts (2025), SunSmart New Zealand