Why Your Skin Feels So Dry (& How to Fix It for Good!)

What is Dry Skin, Exactly?

It’s easy to confuse dry skin with dehydrated skin, but they’re actually quite different.

Dry skin is a skin type, meaning it’s characterized by a chronic lack of sebum, or oil. This isn’t something that can be changed overnight; it’s just how your skin is.

Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a skin condition, which means it’s a temporary state often due to lifestyle factors and environmental influences. In short, your skin type relates to how much oil your skin produces, while your skin condition is about water levels in your skin.

Why Is Dry Skin More Likely to Be Dehydrated?

Since dry skin already lacks oil, it’s more vulnerable to dehydration. Here's why: sebum (oil) is essential for locking moisture into the skin. Without enough oil, your skin loses water more easily, making it both dry and dehydrated.

So if you’ve noticed that your skin feels particularly dry in certain conditions or seasons, this could be why.

Why Does Dry Skin Get Worse in Winter?

Have you noticed your skin getting drier as the temperature drops?

Here’s why: warm air holds more moisture than cold air. When it’s humid, your skin can retain its moisture more easily. But cold winter air is moisture-deprived, so it draws water from your skin, leaving it even drier.

Think of it like being at the beach on a humid summer day. The air is full of moisture, so it doesn’t need to draw any from your skin. In contrast, winter air is so dry that it takes moisture from wherever it can — including your skin.

If you have dry skin, a few tweaks to your routine can help you combat winter dryness:

1. Incorporate Ceramides:

Ceramides mimic the skin’s natural oils and strengthen the skin barrier, helping to lock in moisture. Look for products like a rich moisturizer (like our go-to, Creme de la Blair) packed with ceramides and hydrating ingredients. 

2. Use a Humidifier:

Set up a humidifier next to your bed. This helps maintain a more moisture-rich environment around you, reducing how much water your skin loses to the air.

3. Apply Moisturizer to Damp Skin:

After washing your face, apply moisturizer to slightly damp skin. This helps draw more water into the skin and then locks it in with the moisturizer.

4. Switch to Lukewarm Water:

Hot water may feel fantastic, especially in winter, but it strips away natural oils that your skin needs to stay hydrated. Stick to lukewarm water to prevent this.