Dry skin in winter: how to shower and care for your skin
Cold outside, dry heated air inside: many people notice that dry skin becomes more of an issue in winter. After showering it feels tight more quickly, and on the shins, arms or hands it feels rough. Often this has less to do with the product than with habits in the shower and straight afterwards. This guide is about the body – from showering and drying off to skincare and indoor climate. We have a separate article for the face.
Contents8
Why dry skin is so common in winter
In winter, several factors come together. Cold outdoor air contains little moisture. When it is heated indoors, the relative humidity drops even further. Add to that thick clothing rubbing against the skin, frequent temperature changes between outdoors and indoors and the temptation of long, hot showers. Each point on its own is small. Together, they mean that many people's skin feels different in the cold season than in summer.
Typical signs are a feeling of tightness after washing, rough patches on the legs and elbows, cracked fingertips or slight flaking. If your skin is permanently irritated, red or very itchy, please have it checked by a doctor. Skincare products are no substitute for treatment.
Dry skin in winter: shower habits that help
In the shower you can do a lot right with little effort. The following overview summarises the common recommendations:
| Instead of | Better | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Very hot showers | Warm, but not hot | Hot water can dry out the skin even more |
| Standing under the shower for a long time | Short and quick, about 5–10 minutes | Less contact with water and surfactants |
| Lots of shower gel all over | A small amount, mainly where needed | Legs and arms often need less than armpits or feet |
| Showering several times a day | Once a day or less, if that suits you | Every shower is a wash |
| Rubbing yourself dry vigorously | Patting gently | Less friction on sensitive skin |
| Moisturising "at some point" | Straight after drying off | Skincare spreads easily while the skin is still slightly damp |
Water temperature: warm, not hot
On cold days in particular, a hot shower is tempting. For dry skin in winter, however, lukewarm to warm water is the more comfortable choice. A simple test: if your skin is very red after showering, the water was probably too hot. If you want to warm up, you can turn the water a little warmer for a moment at the end instead of standing under hot water the whole time.
Shower gel: a little, where needed
Not every part of the body needs soap every day. Armpits, intimate area and feet need cleansing; on the shins and forearms, plain water is often enough. That way a small amount of shower gel will do. Our VEGAN FOX shower gel (200 ml, €4.99) is vegan and contains aloe vera, panthenol and betaine. It comes in three scents: linden blossom, grapefruit and red grape. According to the directions, you can use it daily as needed.
Shower in the morning or the evening?
Both work. If you shower in the evening, you can take your time afterwards: your skincare can absorb at leisure, and you do not head out into the cold with freshly washed skin. If you shower in the morning, take a few minutes to moisturise before going outside. What matters is less the time of day than whether you have time for skincare after showering.
Body scrub: rarely and gently
A scrub can make rough patches feel smoother. With dry skin in winter, though, the rule is: less often and with little pressure. Use our VEGAN FOX body scrubs in ginger, peppermint and coffee (300 g each) according to the directions on the packaging. Massage in gently, rinse thoroughly and moisturise afterwards. Do not use a scrub on irritated or broken skin.
Pat dry instead of rubbing
After the shower, how you use your towel matters. Vigorous rubbing may feel warming at first, but it creates friction on the skin. Better: place the towel on your skin, press lightly, move on. A flat-woven Ocean hammam towel (180 × 100 cm, 100 % cotton) is well suited to gentle patting and, in our experience, is dry again indoors in about 60 minutes – an advantage when the bathroom is hardly aired in winter and thick towels stay damp for a long time. You will find more models in our hammam towel collection.
Another tip: do not let your skin air-dry completely before moisturising. Slightly damp skin is more pleasant to care for.
Afterwards: the right order for your skincare
The routine after the shower is simple and only takes a few minutes:
- Pat dry: Gently pat your body dry, paying attention to skin folds and the spaces between your toes.
- Moisturise your body: With the body care of your choice, especially shins, elbows and knees.
- Hands: The hand cream with mango butter & avocado oil (120 ml) is, according to its description, intended for dry and stressed hands.
- Feet: The aloe vera foot cream (120 ml, with castor oil and chamomile) is a good last step in the evening. Then put on socks.
- Get dressed: Give your skincare a moment to absorb, then put on soft clothing.
If you want everything in one package: the head-to-toe care set contains, among other things, three shower gels, hand cream and foot cream. You will find more on hands in our article on hand care in winter.
More than showering: indoor climate and clothing
Dry skin in winter is not only about the bathroom. A few everyday habits help as well:
- Air the room instead of constant heating: Open the windows wide for a few minutes several times a day and do not keep the heating on the highest setting all the time.
- Keep an eye on humidity: A simple hygrometer shows how dry the indoor air is. Values between about 40 and 60 % are a common guideline.
- Soft clothing next to the skin: Wear scratchy wool over a cotton layer.
- Drink enough: This is part of any healthy routine, but many people tend to forget it in winter.
- Gloves outdoors: Cold wind dries out your hands quickly.
Dry skin in winter: when to see a doctor
A slight feeling of tightness is normal for many people in winter. It is different if your skin is very itchy, weeping, bleeding, inflamed or does not improve for weeks despite good care. Then it belongs in the hands of a doctor or dermatologist. The same applies if you have a known skin condition and are unsure which products you can use.
Related reading: Facial care in winter: cleansing and caring in the cold · How much shower gel do you really need? · A bath ritual for cold evenings: step by step
Conclusion
Above all, small habits help with dry skin in winter: warm rather than hot showers, short rather than long, using shower gel sparingly and where needed, patting dry instead of rubbing and moisturising straight afterwards. If you also pay attention to the indoor climate and soft clothing, you will usually get through the cold season more comfortably. A mild shower gel and a quick-drying hammam towel make the routine easy.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I shower if I have dry skin in winter?
That varies from person to person. Many people are fine with one short shower a day. If your skin feels very tight, it can help not to soap your whole body every time.
Can I use the VEGAN FOX shower gel every day?
Yes, according to the directions it can be used as needed, including daily.
When should I moisturise?
Ideally straight after drying off, while your skin is still slightly damp.
Is a hammam towel suitable for sensitive skin?
Many people find the flat-woven towel pleasant for patting dry. The important thing is to pat gently rather than rub.
Does a humidifier help?
If the indoor air is very dry, a humidifier can make the room climate more pleasant. Make sure you clean the device regularly and still air the room several times a day. A bowl of water on the radiator or laundry drying in the room also raises the humidity a little. A hygrometer shows you whether these measures are making a difference.
What should I do if my skin is permanently irritated?
Then please seek advice from a doctor or dermatologist. Skincare products are no substitute for treatment.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.