You step out of a warm shower on a cold winter morning and within minutes your skin feels tight, rough, and uncomfortable. Your hands are starting to crack around the knuckles. Your lips feel dry no matter how much water you drink. And no matter how much moisturiser you apply, it doesn't seem to last.
Sound familiar? You're not imagining it. Winter really does a number on your skin, and there are specific reasons why.
The good news is that dry winter skin is very manageable once you understand what's causing it and make a few simple changes. Here's everything you need to know.
Why Winter Dries Out Your Skin
Your skin has a natural protective barrier, a thin layer of oils and moisture that keeps it soft, flexible, and protected from the environment. In winter, several things work against this barrier all at once.
Cold air holds less moisture
The colder the air, the less humidity it carries. When cold, dry air sits against your skin, it pulls moisture out of the surface layers. This is especially true on windy days, where the wind physically strips away that protective layer.
Indoor heating makes it worse
Central heating, reverse-cycle air conditioning, and electric heaters all warm the air by removing moisture from it. So while you're escaping the cold outside, you're sitting in dry air inside, and your skin is losing moisture from both directions.
Hot showers feel amazing, but they're damaging
When it's cold, most of us turn the shower up a bit hotter. The problem is that hot water strips away your skin's natural oils far more aggressively than warm water does. A long, hot shower in winter is one of the fastest ways to end up with tight, irritated skin afterwards.
Your skin produces fewer natural oils
In colder temperatures, the sebaceous glands (which produce your skin's natural oils) slow down. Less oil production means less natural protection for the skin's surface.
The result? Skin that looks dull, feels rough or flaky, and in more serious cases, becomes cracked, inflamed, or itchy.
The Most Affected Areas
While your whole body can be affected, some areas are hit harder than others in winter:
• Hands: washed constantly and exposed to cold and wind; the skin here is thin and vulnerable
• Lips: no oil glands at all, so they rely entirely on moisture from the environment
• Heels and feet: pressure points that already tend toward dryness, made worse by thick socks and dry indoor air
• Shins and lower legs: often forgotten during moisturising routines, these dry out quickly
• Around the nose: especially if you've been blowing your nose frequently during cold and flu season
What Not To Do
Before getting into what works, it's worth covering a few common habits that actually make dry winter skin worse:
• Avoid very hot showers: Warm is fine, hot strips your skin.
• Don't rub dry with a towel: Pat your skin gently instead to keep some surface moisture on the skin.
• Avoid fragranced soaps and body washes in winter: Artificial fragrances and harsh detergents disrupt the skin barrier. Switch to something gentle and fragrance-free during the colder months.
• Don't skip the moisturiser because "it doesn't work.": If a light lotion isn't cutting it, the solution is a richer, more occlusive product, not giving up entirely.
Natural Remedies For Dry Winter Skin
1. Moisturise immediately after showering
This is the single most effective change you can make. The moment you step out of the shower, your skin is damp and slightly warm, it absorbs moisture much more effectively at this point. Pat dry gently and apply your moisturiser within a few minutes while your skin is still slightly damp.
Can’t find an effective moisturiser? The Original Kunzea Cream has you sorted this winter. It's a rich, fast-absorbing cream enriched with natural ingredients, designed to moisturise the hands, face, and body while maintaining hydration and promoting healthy skin. The non-greasy formula sinks in quickly without any burning sensation, making it gentle enough for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
2. Switch to a richer, more protective product
Light, water-based lotions work well in summer but often aren't enough in winter. Look for something thicker, an ointment or balm that forms a protective layer over the skin rather than just sitting on top.
This is where natural plant-based options can really shine. Products that contain botanical oils and waxes work with your skin's own barrier rather than just coating it. A good natural balm applied to cracked heels, rough knuckles, or dry lips before bed can make a visible difference overnight.
The Multi-Purpose Rescue Balm is worth keeping in your winter kit. It's a gentle, all-in-one balm formulated with 100% natural Australian ingredients to nourish, support, and repair the skin from head to toe. Quick-absorbing and non-toxic, it's suitable for the whole family and works anywhere you need it.
If you’re looking for a plant-powered skin balm, VasaCLEAN is your winter necessity. It's a petroleum-free alternative to traditional Vaseline, formulated with Castor Seed Oil and Carnauba Wax to lock in moisture and form a breathable barrier that helps heal and protect dry, cracked, or sensitive skin.
3. Use lukewarm water and keep showers shorter
We know, it's hard in winter. But even just turning the temperature down a little and cutting your shower to five minutes can make a meaningful difference to how your skin feels by the end of the week.
4. Run a humidifier indoors
If you're sleeping with heating on overnight, consider adding a humidifier to your bedroom. Putting some moisture back into the air reduces how much your skin dries out while you sleep. Even a small, affordable humidifier can have a noticeable effect.
5. Stay hydrated
While drinking water won't directly fix dry skin on its own, being well hydrated supports your skin from the inside. In winter it's easy to drink less because you're not feeling as thirsty, but your body still needs the same amount. Aim for around 8 glasses a day, and warm herbal teas count too.
6. Protect exposed skin outdoors
Wind and cold air are harsh on bare skin. Wearing gloves when you're outside protects your hands, one of the most commonly affected areas. Having VasaCLEAN in your pocket means you can reapply throughout the day as needed.
7. Pay attention to your diet
Certain nutrients directly support skin health. In winter, when fresh produce variety tends to drop, it's worth being intentional about including:
• Omega-3 fatty acids: (salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds) support the skin's lipid barrier
• Vitamin E: (almonds, sunflower seeds, avocado) an antioxidant that protects skin cells
• Vitamin C: (citrus, kiwi, capsicum) needed for collagen production
• Zinc: (pumpkin seeds, legumes, meat) supports skin repair
When Dry Skin Becomes Eczema
For some people, winter doesn't just mean dry skin, it triggers an eczema flare. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a condition where the skin barrier is naturally more compromised, making it much more reactive to environmental triggers like cold, dry air.
Signs that you may be dealing with eczema rather than just dryness include:
• Intense itching, especially at night
• Red, inflamed patches, not just rough or tight skin
• Small blisters that weep or crust over
• Skin that doesn't improve with regular moisturising
If this sounds like what you're experiencing, it's worth speaking to your GP or dermatologist. For mild flares, keeping the skin consistently well-moisturised with a gentle, fragrance-free product is still the first line of support.
A Simple Winter Skin Routine
Morning:
• Gentle, fragrance-free cleanser in a lukewarm shower
• Pat dry, apply Original Kunzea Cream on your body while skin is still slightly damp
• Apply VasaCLEAN on your lips before heading outside
• Wear gloves to protect your hands from the wind and cold
Evening:
• Remove any makeup gently
• Apply Multi-Purpose Rescue Balm to particularly dry areas (hands, heels, elbows)
• Consider a humidifier if sleeping with heating on
That's really it. Consistency matters more than complexity here.
The Bottom Line
Dry skin in winter is common, but it doesn't have to be your reality for six months of the year. The main causes: cold air, indoor heating, hot showers, and reduced oil production, are all things you can work around with a few small habits.
Focus on protecting your skin's natural barrier rather than fighting it. Moisturise after every shower, use richer products in the colder months, and pay a little extra attention to the areas that tend to suffer most. Your skin will thank you.
References
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Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Dry skin. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16940-dry-skin
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Harvard Health Publishing. (2019). Moisturizers: Do they work? https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthy-aging-and-longevity/moisturizers-do-they-work
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Healthdirect Australia. (2024). Eczema. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/eczema
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Mayo Clinic. (2023). Dry skin. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/symptoms-causes/syc-20353885
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National Eczema Association. Eczema facts. https://nationaleczema.org/eczema-facts/
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Ludmann, P. (2026). Dermatologists’ top tips for relieving dry skin. American Academy of Dermatology Association. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin
