Top Winter Skincare Problems & Dermat-Approved Solutions
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Time to read 2 min
Winter looks cosy on the outside, but your skin knows the real story.
The moment the weather turns cold, most of us go through the same cycle; cheeks that suddenly feel tight, skin losing its glow, and that constant scratchy feeling on arms and legs.
And every year, we ask ourselves,
“Is it just the weather, or am I doing something wrong?”
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Indian winters pull moisture from your skin faster than you realise. The skin barrier becomes weaker, and the result is a whole list of winter skin problems.
Let’s break them down one by one and look at what dermatologists actually recommend.
Winter Skincare Problem 1: Dry, Tight & Flaky Skin
This is the first sign that winter has arrived.
Your face feels stretchy after washing it. Makeup refuses to blend. Even applying moisturizer burns a little sometimes.
Winter air has very low humidity, which means it absorbs moisture from your skin.
Solution: To counter the winter skin problems, Dermatologists repeatedly emphasise that your skin needs long lasting hydration. This applies switching to a gentler cleanser that doesn’t foam aggressively, using a serum or moisturizer with ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin or squalane, and applying creams when the skin is slightly damp so the hydration actually stays in.
Winter Skincare Problem 2: Dull & Tired-Looking Skin
If you notice your glow fading away every winter, there’s a scientific reason behind it. Cold air slows down cell turnover, which means old, dry cells sit on your skin longer and block light from reflecting naturally. Combine this with dehydration, and the skin tone starts looking flat and uneven.
Solution: To fix this, dermatologists usually suggest keeping the routine simple but consistent:
a hydrating serum, a ceramide-rich moisturizer, and once-in-a-while gentle exfoliation. The brightness comes back once hydration and barrier repair are in place.
Winter Skincare Problem 3: The Itchy & Irritated Skin
A lot of Indian women experience irritation and redness on their cheeks, forehead, or arms during winter. It starts due to dryness. Hot water, harsh cleansers, strong actives and cold wind all make the irritation worse.
Solution: Dermatologists usually recommend calming ingredients like panthenol, aloe vera or squalane during this time. These ingredients don’t just soothe the skin but they help the barrier rebuild itself so irritation doesn’t keep coming back.
And yes, avoiding extremely hot showers is a must. They feel heavenly in winter, but they strip moisture from the skin within seconds.
Winter Skincare Problem 4: Skipping Sunscreen
This is something almost everyone admits to.
Since the sun doesn’t feel harsh in winter, sunscreen is the first thing we stop applying.
But UV rays don’t disappear in winter, especially UVA rays, the ones responsible for aging, tanning and pigmentation. They penetrate through clouds and even glass windows.
Dermatologists recommend using a hydrating sunscreen during winter so that it doesn’t feel dry or dusty on the skin. Use SPF 30 for indoor routines, and SPF 50 if you travel daily or spend time outdoors.
Final Takeaway
Winter can bring its set of stubborn skin problems, but none of them are permanent.
Once you understand why your skin behaves a certain way in cold weather, it becomes much easier to care for it.
All you need is a gentle cleanser, a hydrating serum, a richer winter moisturizer and sunscreen. The right care protects your barrier, keeps your skin comfortable, and brings back that soft, healthy winter glow all of us want.
If you’re ready to make winter easier on your skin, explore PnK Beauty’s winter-friendly skincare picks, thoughtfully made for Indian weather and Indian skin needs
