Why Is Sensitive Skin Worse In Winter?

When winter arrives, it brings with it myriad challenges for sensitive skin. The lower temperatures and decreased humidity levels during the cold season create an environment that can be particularly harsh on delicate skin, but why? 

Well, first and foremost, the cold air and lower humidity can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and increased vulnerability to environmental stressors. Likewise, harsh winter winds can also blast us from all angles, further compromising our skin's protective barrier. 

Something else that can remove natural oils from our skin is hot showers. During winter, this is something that many of us enjoy as it provides a warm and comforting relief from cold. But this can leave those with sensitive skin more susceptible to irritation, so try to keep the temperature quite low and don't shower more than once a day.

Additionally, indoor heating systems, which tend to be cranked up, particularly when the weather is at its coldest, create a further decrease in moisture levels. This makes the dryness even worse and can cause irritation.

This perfect storm of cold outdoor air and artificial indoor heat creates a vicious cycle where our skin gets no respite. This leaves our skin prone to redness, irritation and discomfort. 

So, as you can see, the winter season creates a challenging time for sensitive skin, demanding extra care and attention to maintain its balance and fend off irritation.

How Can You Protect Sensitive Skin In Winter?

So now we know why sensitive skin is often worse in winter, the question is, how can we protect ourselves against the harsh elements to avoid breakouts and irritation?

Thankfully, there are a number of steps we can take. The first is to avoid turning up your indoor heating too high. As we’ve learned, this can deprive our skin of natural oils, which is a recipe for disaster if you suffer from conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis.

Another drain on our skin’s protective barrier is hot showers so keep these to a minimum and keep the temperature moderate.

During winter, many of us forget to drink enough fluids as we don’t feel as thirsty. But this can play havoc with our skin as dehydration will remove its moisture and plumpness, as well as making fine lines and wrinkles more pronounced. 

To avoid this, make sure you drink enough water throughout the day to maintain your hydration levels. If you find the taste of water to be a bit boring, herbal teas and infused water will also help as these will make topping up your fluids more exciting and contribute to keeping your skin plump and hydrated.

In addition to all of this, using organic skincare products will offer the protection your skin needs during winter.

Products To Protect Skin During Winter

As well as staying hydrated and avoiding excessive indoor heating and hot water, organic skincare products are great for protecting sensitive skin in winter.

Whether you’re using shower gels to wash yourself, body lotions to keep your skin hydrated or face creams to add moisture to the most sensitive area, these options are kind and gentle to the skin, while delivering the nutrients it needs to flourish.

So why are these so much more beneficial than conventional creams and lotions for those with sensitive skin? Find out right here!

Free From Harsh Chemicals:

In regular skincare formulations, you’ll often find a cocktail of synthetic chemicals that can inflame and irritate the skin. While those with less sensitive skin may be fine to use these, if you have dryness or conditions such as psoriasis, eczema or dermatitis, these can cause severe irritation. This means they’re often unsuitable.

On the other hand, organic moisturisers usually boast a clean ingredient list, steering clear of the harsh chemicals, fragrances, pesticides and preservatives that can result in adverse reactions. 

One of those ingredients we use in some of our natural moisturisers is shea butter, which is a popular moisturising agent. This natural emollient hydrates without the need for synthetic additives, making it perfect for sensitive skin.

By opting for organic, you can ensure your skin receives the nourishment it needs, without the risk of irritation from these chemicals.

Hydration For Dry Skin:

If you’re suffering from conditions like psoriasis or eczema, one of the biggest concerns is dry, flaky skin. Thankfully, our organic moisturisers excel in providing hydration through ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil and hyaluronic acid. 

These natural humectants hydrate by locking in moisture, preventing the skin from drying out to make it supple and thoroughly nourished.

Skin Barrier Function:

As we’ve pointed out already, in winter, many environmental factors can result in the skin barrier function being compromised. This makes it less capable of maintaining hydration and staving off irritants. 

Natural, organic moisturisers work in harmony with the skin's natural barrier, boosting its function, adding additional layers of protection and contributing to the overall health and resilience of the skin.

Rich In Antioxidants 

If you suffer from sensitive skin, repeated breakouts and irritation can leave the skin damaged and vulnerable to attack from external stressors. This merely worsens the issue.

Organic moisturisers are brimming with ingredients that are packed with antioxidants. Skin-friendly ingredients such as shea butter, vitamin E and rosehip and many other plant oils all moisturise the skin and promote skin repair to help reduce your symptoms. 

By attacking free radicals which take their toll on the skin, this helps to support the healing process.

Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation lies at the heart of autoimmune skin complaints like eczema and psoriasis, which cause redness, swelling, itchiness and general discomfort. During winter, the added dryness only deserves to exacerbate these conditions.

This is where organic moisturisers come in as they harness the power of beneficial plant compounds that are known to contain anti-inflammatory properties. 

Ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile and calendula are not only kind to the skin but also excellent for calming inflammation. So for a product that reduces redness and helps your condition clear, look out for ingredients like these as there’s a high chance they’ll help..

Quells Itchiness

One of the most infuriating aspects of skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis is the itchiness they come with. With winter usually making these conditions worse, you may be scratching even more than usual, which just makes matters worse.

To compound your misery, many types of moisturiser do nothing to quell these itchy sensations. But thankfully, many organic, natural moisturisers can bring solace by reducing this itchy sensation.

Ingredients like jojoba oil, lavender and chamomile are anti-inflammatory agents that help to not only hydrate the skin but also soothe the itchiness.

This creates a calming effect on the skin and helps to break the itch-scratch cycle, helping the skin heal.

So that’s why winter makes your sensitive skin more uncomfortable. Hopefully, you’re now equipped with all the info you need to help reduce irritation and provide your skin with the nourishment it needs. 

Although winter is certainly a challenging time for your skin, with the right habits and a proper skincare routine, you can reduce the impact the cold weather has.