Top Three Ways to Avoid Dry Skin in the Winter

The Top Three Ways to Avoid Dry Skin in the Winter

Most people say, “Just moisturize with lotion,” and while that can be helpful, it’s only part of the story. True skin hydration begins from the inside out. If we want soft, resilient, radiant skin during the winter months, these three foundational practices make the biggest difference.

1. Bathe in Tepid Water and Use Minimal Soap

Hot showers may feel comforting, but they are one of the fastest ways to dry out our skin. Hot water strips the skin of its natural protective oils, dilates blood vessels, and increases water loss as moisture evaporates from the surface of the skin.

Soap compounds this problem. Even gentle soaps wash away our natural oils, which are essential for maintaining the skin’s barrier and locking in moisture. When that barrier is disrupted, skin becomes dry, itchy, and more prone to irritation.

The best approach is to bathe or shower in tepid (lukewarm) water and use only a small amount of soap where it’s truly needed. We don’t want to “sterilize” the skin. Our skin is home to beneficial bacteria that support immune function and overall skin health. Tepid water and minimal soap are more than enough to remove dirt and sweat without damaging this delicate ecosystem.

Bonus tip: Wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning. Prolonged contact with hot water and detergent is especially drying to the hands and can significantly damage the skin barrier over time.

2. Drink Enough Water—Consistently

Drinking water may seem like an obvious solution, but it’s often underestimated or inconsistently done. Many people say that they drink plenty of water, but I encourage them to measure and track it.

A helpful guideline is to drink about half our body weight in ounces per day. For example, a 150-pound person should aim for approximately 75 ounces daily. Even small fluctuations matter. Missing just one cup of water can be the difference between hydration reaching our vital organs versus our skin.

Our skin is the largest organ in the body, but it is also one of the last to receive water when intake is low. Even mild dehydration reduces microcirculation, which brings nutrients, oxygen, and healthy color to the skin. Over time, this leads to dullness, dryness, and accelerated aging.

One simple habit is to start our day by drinking 16–20 ounces of water within the first 15 minutes of waking, then continue hydrating steadily throughout the day.

3. Nourish Our Skin with Healthy Fats (Especially Omega-3s)

Every cell membrane in our body—including our skin—is made of fat. This is why nourishing our skin internally has a deeper, longer-lasting effect than applying lotion on the surface.

Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly important for skin health. They help neutralize inflammation, support elasticity, and strengthen the skin barrier so moisture stays in and irritants stay out. Historically, our diets contained far more omega-3s, but modern industrial agriculture has significantly reduced their presence in our food supply.

Excellent skin-nourishing fat sources include:

• Avocado oil and whole avocados

• Walnuts

• Olive oil

• Coconut oil

• Small cold-water fish such as sardines and salmon

• Butter from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows

All of these fats provide important fat-soluble vitamins A, E, and D, which are essential for skin repair, hydration, elasticity, and immune protection.

•       Vitamin A supports skin cell turnover and repair

•       Vitamin E protects against oxidative damage and dryness

•    Vitamin D plays a key role in skin barrier function and immune balance

Together, these fats help create softer, more supple, youthful-looking skin—especially during the dry winter months.

Bottom line: Preventing dry skin isn’t just about what we put on our body—it’s about how we care for it daily. Gentle bathing, consistent hydration, protective habits, and nourishing fats work together to support healthy, resilient skin from the inside out.

One Final Word on Lotion

And for those of us who are still waiting to hear which brand of lotion is best, I’ll say this: no matter what lotion we use, make sure it contains natural, clean ingredients. Our skin absorbs everything we put on it. If we would not eat it, it doesn’t belong on our skin.

That said, lotion alone is often not enough, especially in the winter. One important pro tip is to use an occlusive one to three times per week after we apply lotion. Occlusives work by sealing moisture into the skin, preventing water loss, and reinforcing the skin barrier.

Some excellent natural occlusives include:

•         Shea butter

•         Rosehip oil

•         Jojoba oil

•         Cocoa butter

 Applied over lotion, these create a protective layer that helps keep skin hydrated, soft, and resilient—particularly during dry, cold months.

CLICK HERE to purchase some of the occlusive products recommended by Dr. Selassie. You’ll also find the lotions she personally uses and trusts.

That said, for some individuals, dry skin is a sign of deeper, underlying health challenges that can make it more persistent or difficult to resolve, including:

• Thyroid disorders

• Diabetes

• Liver dysfunction

• Kidney disease

• Nutritional deficiencies

• Gut imbalance or malabsorption

• Eczema

  Psoriasis

If any of these apply to you, addressing the root cause is essential. Dr. Selassie specializes in identifying and treating the underlying imbalances contributing to chronic dry skin, so we can experience true, lasting relief.

To begin your personalized care, schedule an initial consultation today. Click here to get started.