Winter in New York means cold air, low humidity, and blasting indoor heat—all of which pull moisture out of your skin and leave it tight, itchy, and flaky. For many people with skin of color, that damage can look more like dull, gray, or “ashy” patches than redness, but it is still barrier stress.​

Why Winter Wrecks Your Skin Barrier

When temperatures drop and the air dries out, water evaporates faster from the outer layer of your skin, weakening the barrier and making it easier for irritants to get in. If you are prone to dry skin, eczema, or psoriasis, that combination can trigger “winter itch” and more frequent flares.​

  • Cold, windy air + indoor heat = rapid moisture loss
  • Barrier damage leads to more itching, flaking, and sensitivity
  • Skin of color may show dullness or ashiness instead of redness​

Gentle Cleansing: Showers That Do Not Strip Your Skin

Long, hot showers feel great, but they wash away the natural oils that help your skin hold onto water. Small changes in how you cleanse can prevent a lot of winter irritation.​

  • Keep showers short and lukewarm instead of long and hot​
  • Choose gentle, fragrance-free cleansers labeled “hydrating” or “moisturizing”​
  • Focus cleanser on sweat-prone areas; rinsing is often enough elsewhere​

Right after you step out, pat (do not rub) your skin dry and move straight to moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp.​

“Think Thick”: The Right Winter Moisturizer

In winter, lotions are often not enough; creams and ointments do a better job of sealing in moisture and supporting your barrier.​

Look for:

  • Petrolatum, mineral oil, or lanolin (excellent occlusives)​
  • Glycerin and hyaluronic acid to draw water into the skin​
  • Shea butter and ceramides to soften and support the barrier​

Apply your moisturizer within a few minutes of bathing so it can trap water in the outer skin layers.​

Protect Your Hands, Lips, and Cheeks

Hands, lips, and exposed cheeks face the most wind and cold, so they are usually the first to crack or burn.​

  • Keep a rich hand cream by the sink and reapply after every wash​
  • Use a thick, occlusive lip balm and reapply throughout the day​
  • Wear gloves, scarves, and hats to shield exposed skin from wind and cold​

For skin of color, consistent protection plus thicker moisturizers can noticeably reduce visible scaling and ashiness on the hands and legs.​

Adjusting Retinoids and Acids in Winter

If your usual retinoid or exfoliating acid suddenly stings or causes more peeling in the cold months, your skin may be telling you it is overloaded.​

  • Reduce how often you use retinoids or strong acids
  • Consider a lower-strength or over-the-counter version temporarily​
  • Try buffering (moisturizer, then retinoid, then moisturizer) if you are very dry​

You can keep long-term benefits for acne and photoaging while respecting a more fragile winter barrier.

You Still Need Sunscreen in Winter

UV rays are present year-round, even on gray days, and can reflect off snow and bright surfaces. That means photoaging and skin cancer risk do not pause just because it is cold.​

  • Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ on face, ears, neck, and hands daily​
  • Choose more moisturizing cream textures rather than gels or sprays in winter​
  • Pair sunscreen with physical protection: hats, sunglasses, and gloves​

Your Home Environment Matters Too

Very dry indoor air pulls additional moisture from your skin, making itch and flaking worse.​

  • Consider a clean, regularly maintained humidifier in your bedroom or main living space​
  • Stay generally well hydrated and keep your routine simple and consistent​

If your “dry skin” progresses to intense itch, cracks or bleeding, or rashes that do not settle with basic changes, it is time to see a dermatologist to rule out eczema, psoriasis, or other conditions and build a winter plan tailored to your skin.​

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