7 Ways to Maintain Skin Health During Winter

January 20, 2026 | Tags: Preventive Care Wellness

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The winter season brings cold air, cuddling by the fireplace, wearing sweaters and multiple layers of clothing. These changes, combined with the dry winter air, can be very damaging to your skin. Your skin is the biggest organ of your body and its first line of defense against diseases, infections and sunburn, as well as protecting you and your internal organs from trauma and injury. 

Your skin also helps you regulate your body temperature and remove excess water and salt in the form of sweat. With all of the work it does, it makes perfect sense that you would want it to be at its healthiest.

Signs of "unhealthy" skin

While signs and symptoms can vary with age, health status, skin tone and where the dry skin is located on your body, the main signs of “unhealthy” or dry skin include:

• Redness
• Itchiness
• Skin tightness
• Flaking, peeling or scaling skin
• Lines or cracks in skin
• Raw skin is visible
• Stinging or burning sensation

How to keep skin healthy

To properly take care of your skin in the winter, you need to make a combination of habit changes and product swaps, while also carefully reading ingredient labels. Below are seven changes that can make a healthy difference in how your skin feels and looks:

1. Adjust your skincare routine

Making small adjustments to how you regularly take care of your skin can have long term benefits:

• Avoid soaps labeled as “antibacterial” or “antimicrobial,” as these can change the skin's normal flora. Normal flora is the bacteria that normally lives on your skin and the balance of the flora is important in preventing infection.
• Use fragrance-free and alcohol-free products. These items usually contain ingredients and chemicals that strip your skin of natural oils and cause irritation. Avoid using items that may dry the skin like harsh soaps or lotions that are alcohol-based with fragrance.
• Use products that have hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Hyaluronic acid provides deep hydration while ceramides help to strengthen the skin barrier and retain moisture.
• Use occlusives such as shea butter or petroleum jelly-based products. Occlusives are fatty, waxy or oily substances that help reduce excessive water loss and seal in the skin's moisture.

2. Be UV safe – yes, even in winter!

With colder temperatures and longer layers of clothing, it’s easy to not think about the sun damaging your skin during winter. But ultraviolet (UV) rays can still damage your skin year-round. They’re able to penetrate cloud coverage and are especially reflective off ice and snow, further increasing your risk of skin cancer, skin damage and premature aging.

One of the easiest ways to keep your skin safe is by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen as protection. Choose a one with SPF 15 or higher. Apply to exposed skin 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours. Be sure to cover commonly missed spots like your neck, lips and ears. Also keep an eye out for changes to your skin, like new spots or spots that change in size, shape or color. The ABCDE rule is a simple tool that can help you look for common signs.

3. Balanced nutrition

To keep your skin healthy, a nutrient-dense lifestyle that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Try limiting sugar intake and highly processed foods. It’s also important to keep yourself hydrated during the winter. This decreases the chance that your skin dries out and cracks. Dehydration in winter can be harder to notice, so try drinking fluids throughout the day. Hot teas, soups and broth and even sipping warm water all count toward keeping your body hydrated.

4. Change the temperature, length and frequency of your showers

Long, hot showers can sound like a soothing and relaxing idea after dealing with winter weather all day, but they end up doing more harm than good. Hot water can not only dry out the natural oils in your skin, but it can also damage your skin. Limit your showers to five to 10 minutes while using lukewarm water.

5. Moisturize after showering

Moisturizers are best used immediately after bathing as they help to trap the moisture in the skin. It is important to use moisturizer after every shower because washing removes your body’s natural oils. For best results, pat your skin dry with a towel, avoid rubbing the area dry, and then immediately apply a moisturizer that fits your skin type. Even better if it contains SPF for sun protection!

6. Limit exfoliation

While exfoliation can help remove excess dry skin, be careful as to how much and what type of exfoliant you use. Exfoliate no more than two times per week, especially if you have dry, sensitive skin. Additionally, use a gentle chemical exfoliant rather than a physical scrub (a tool like a brush or sponge), which is more likely to break down your skin’s moisture barrier. Be gentle with your skin, using small, circular motions and avoiding open cuts or wounds.

7. Use a humidifier

Humidifiers are not just useful for when you have a cold. They can add moisture back into the air and act as a natural moisturizer, which can help reduce the effects of dry winter air. Use distilled water, which has low mineral content, to prevent the build-up of scale and the dispersal of minerals and potential allergens, molds or bacteria into the air. Check your humidifier's recommendations for water use and how often to change it as well as proper cleaning instructions, including how often and which ingredients or cleaning solutions are best or safest.

When should you see a provider? 

You may need to see your primary care provider (PCP) if:

• Your skin becomes red, inflamed and has large areas of scaly or peeling skin, open sores, oozing or drainage. These could be signs of infection.
• Your temperature is elevated, possibly indicating a fever.
• You are uncomfortable that you are not sleeping or are unable to complete your daily tasks.
• You have tried to treat symptoms at home and they persist or worsen.

If you don’t have a PCP, Medical Mutual can help. Use our Find a Provider search tool on the My Health Plan portal or call the Customer Care number listed on your member ID card.