8 habits that cause dry, flaky skin in winter

MSc Quach Thu Trang, Department of Dermatology, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said the skin not only secretes sweat but also creates a hydrolipid biofilm to protect the skin surface. This membrane is formed from sweat, sebum and organic acids such as lactic acid, amino acids, free fatty acids, creating a slightly acidic environment with a pH of about 4.5-5. Thanks to that, the skin is naturally moisturized, limits harmful bacteria and fungi and maintains a stable skin microflora.

In winter, dry air and cold winds reduce natural oil secretion, weakening the skin’s protective layer. The aging process reduces collagen production – an important factor that helps maintain skin moisture. As a result, the skin is dry, cracked, itchy, and affects aesthetics. Doctor Trang points out some daily habits below that cause dry skin.

Using water that is too hot

Exposure to hot water can strip away the natural oils that keep skin moisturized. Bathing in hot water for long periods of time causes the skin’s protective barrier to be broken, reducing moisture, leading to dry skin, peeling, and even irritation. The feeling of tight, itchy skin after bathing or washing your face is a sign of dehydration. Dr. Trang recommends using moderately warm water, not bathing for more than 10-15 minutes, and moisturizing immediately after bathing to “lock” moisture in the skin.

Wash your face several times a day

Washing your face too much causes the skin to lose moisture and pH balance, leading to dry skin, peeling, and irritation, especially when using facial cleansers with high pH or containing a lot of foaming agents. You should wash your face twice a day, morning and night, with a gentle, sulfate-free product that contains moisturizing ingredients like glycerin or ceramide. Massage your face gently, avoid rubbing too hard.

Moisturizing incorrectly

The “golden” time to moisturize is right after washing your face or bathing, when your skin is still slightly damp. At this time, lotion helps “lock” water on the surface, preventing moisture loss. Choosing the wrong skin care product also causes the skin to not be properly protected. In the cold season, thick creams containing vitamins A, E and highly moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, or natural vegetable oils such as olive oil, almond oil… are more effective than lotions or light gels. Avoid using moisturizers, serums containing fragrances and alcohol for sensitive skin. Applying a moisturizing mask at night is also very good for dry, cracked facial skin in the winter.

Drink less water

When the weather is cold, many people feel less thirsty, leading to a significant decrease in water intake. However, the body still loses water through breathing, sweating and excretion as normal. Lack of water not only makes skin dry and dull but also slows down cell regeneration. Doctor Trang recommends drinking 1.5-2 liters of water every day, supplementing with water from fresh fruits, vegetables or soups to ensure natural moisture, help the body eliminate toxins, and increase metabolism.

Overuse of exfoliants

In the cold season, the rate of skin shedding naturally decreases. If you exfoliate too many times, the protective stratum corneum will be eroded, breaking the moisture barrier, causing the skin to lose water faster. For dry skin, exfoliate only once a week with a gentle product containing fruit enzymes or low-concentration acids such as lactic acid. Then, combine with deep moisturizing to restore the skin’s protective barrier. If your skin is chapped, rough, or irritated, avoid exfoliation until your skin heals.

Use air conditioning or heating continuously

The air in closed rooms often lacks moisture, especially when the air conditioner is on warm mode or the heater is running for a long time. The skin loses water faster, causing a feeling of dryness, tightness, and chapped lips and hands. To fix it, place a humidifier in the room, keeping air humidity at 40-60%.

Skip the sunscreen

Even though winter sunlight is weaker, UV rays still exist and can penetrate clouds and glass, causing damage to skin cells, causing dry, dull skin and premature aging. Therefore, applying sunscreen every day is necessary, even when it is cloudy or just indoors near a window. Dr. Trang recommends choosing a sunscreen product with an SPF index of 30 or higher, combined with moisturizer to protect the skin completely.

Imbalanced eating

Eating less green vegetables and fruits during the cold season or eating a lot of fried and hot foods can cause nutritional imbalance, making the skin more susceptible to dryness. On the contrary, a diet rich in omega-3 (salmon, chia seeds, walnuts), vitamins E, C and zinc helps maintain the skin’s lipid membrane, increase natural moisturizing ability, and protect skin cells from environmental impacts.

If the skin is constantly burning, dry, peeling, cracked, red, or has white scales that persist and do not improve despite home care, the patient should see a dermatologist. In some cases, dry skin can be a sign of diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or hypothyroidism, which need to be treated appropriately to avoid complications.