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DEXERYL supports you and take care of your dry skin each day
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DEXERYL supports you and take care of your dry skin each day
Find out how to look after your dry skin over the winter with tips on moisturising, protecting and caring for soft, healthy skin.
Summary
In winter, the combination of low temperatures and low external humidity alters the skin's protective barrier, increasing transepidermal water loss. The skin is often dry and irritated, with redness and itching. The cold also reduces sebum production, the skin's natural lubricant. Finally, cold winter winds further erode the skin's hydrolipidic film, which protects against moisture loss.
Using indoor heating in winter reduces humidity, making the air dry and aggravating skin dryness³. The habit of taking hot showers and baths in winter is also detrimental to skin health; hot water erodes the skin's natural lipids, reducing hydration and increasing transepidermal water loss.⁴
Protection against the cold is essential to prevent dryness and skin damage during winter. Protective clothing such as gloves, scarves, and hats covers the skin and reduces direct exposure to the cold and wind. In addition, applying lip balms and nourishing hand creams before going out provides a protective barrier for more vulnerable areas.
Maintaining good hydration is crucial to preventing dry skin in winter. Drinking enough water throughout the day helps hydrate the skin from the inside out⁶.
Externally, lipid-rich moisturisers such as vaseline and ceramides help restore the skin's protective barrier and maintain hydration⁵.
Here are some tips recommended by dermatologists for treating and preventing dry skin :
In winter, follow these tips to avoid worsening skin dryness :
Dermatologists recommend formulations that combine lipophilic and hydrophilic ingredients. Lipophilic components such as oils, butters and waxes help to compensate for missing lipids and form a protective film on the skin. Hydrophilic ingredients such as glycerol or urea act as humectants. They draw water into the epidermis and maintain hydration.
Opt for gentle products such as ointments, moisturising masks, or nourishing creams rather than lotions in winter. These are richer in lipids and more effective at retaining moisture in the skin. Look for ingredients such as glycerol, ceramides, petroleum jelly, or shea butter.
Avoid products containing alcohol, AHAs or retinoids, which can further dry out the skin. Unless advised by a dermatologist, avoid exfoliating products, even gentle ones: they may dry out your skin even more, causing redness and itching.
Lips are particularly vulnerable in winter due to their thin skin and more frequent exposure to the cold, dry elements. Use a nourishing lip balm and reapply regularly, especially if you feel tingling or discomfort after application.
In winter, the skin on your hands and feet can become extremely dry, itchy and sometimes cracked. Use creams or ointments for hands and feet rich in lipidic agents such as oils and butters. They form a protective barrier to limit transepidermal water loss. Using nourishing creams after each wash and wearing cotton gloves under thicker gloves when out and about are effective for the hands. For feet, choose cotton socks and apply a thick, nourishing cream at bedtime to help prevent dryness.
A balanced diet, rich in Omega-3 and other nutrients, helps to nourish the skin from within, which is essential in winter. Omega-3 fatty acids, notably found in oily fish and nuts, help to reduce transepidermal water loss, promote skin hydration and strengthen the skin barrier. Probiotics and prebiotics act on the intestinal microbiome, which in turn helps to improve the function of the skin's protective barrier and modulate the inflammatory response.⁸
In winter, regular physical activity, combined with measures to protect against the cold, stimulates blood circulation, promotes skin cell renewal, and improves stratum corneum hydration.⁹
Using a humidifier to increase the humidity level in your home can help keep your skin hydrated in winter. Also, avoid standing too close to heat sources, such as fireplaces, as the heat dries out your skin.
DEXERYL Emollient Cream prevents skin dryness exacerbated by the rigours of winter. Its formula is fragrance and paraben-free and contains active ingredients to moisturise, nourish and protect your skin:
DEXERYL is your daily skincare product to keep your skin supple, moisturised and protected all winter.
¹ Engebretsen KA and al. The effect of environmental humidity and temperature on skin barrier function and dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016 Feb;30(2):223-49.
² Mackey S. Relieving Winter Skin Discomfort. Phys Sportsmed. 1995 Jan;23(1):53-57.
³ Park EH and al. Effects of winter indoor environment on the skin: Unveiling skin condition changes in Korea. Skin Res Technol. 2023 Jun;29(6):e13397.
⁴ Voegeli D. The effect of washing and drying practices on skin barrier function. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2008 Jan-Feb;35(1):84-90.
⁵ Augustin M, Wilsmann-Theis D, Körber A, Kerscher M, Itschert G, Dippel M, Staubach P. Diagnosis and treatment of xerosis cutis - a position paper. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2019 Nov;17 Suppl 7:3-33.
⁶ Palma L and al. Dietary water affects human skin hydration and biomechanics. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015 Aug 3;8:413-21.
⁷ AAD. Dermatologists’ top tips for relieving dry skin. American Academy of Dermatology Association. 2024 [Internet]. Disponible sur: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/dermatologists-tips-relieve-dry-skin
⁸ Parke MA and al. Diet and Skin Barrier: The Role of Dietary Interventions on Skin Barrier Function. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2021 Jan 29;11(1):e2021132.
⁹ Oizumi R, Sugimoto Y, Aibara H. Effects of regular exercise on skin moisturizing function in adults. Dermatol Reports. 2023 May 18;15(4):9711.