2nd July 2025

Winter Dry Skin Myths: 6 Facts and 1 Lie Every Aussie Should Know

With colder temperatures and heaters kicking in, winter can bring more than just a chill to the air and cosy jumpers—it can also bring a host of skin challenges. Dry air, cold winds, and indoor heating can all conspire to deplete the skin’s natural moisture barrier, which can lead to irritation, flaking, and in some cases, winter flare-ups of conditions like dermatitis.

The right skin care in the colder months can make a difference, whether you’re managing a chronic condition or just trying to keep comfortable.

And we have a challenge for you! Here are seven tips for skin protection through winter, BUT… one of them is untrue. Can you spot which one it is?

Winter can trigger or worsen dermatitis
Excessive handwashing can cause dry skin and irritation
Long, hot showers help hydrate the skin
Certain winter fabrics can irritate sensitive skin
Indoor heating can dehydrate your skin
Sunscreen is just as important in winter
Your skin needs will change as you age

We’ve expanded on each tip and revealed the false one below.

1. Winter can trigger or worsen dermatitis

Dermatitis is an umbrella term for skin inflammation, including atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis (an allergic or other skin reaction caused by direct contact with an irritant substance), and seborrheic dermatitis (a chronic form of eczema that affects oily areas of the body). All forms of dermatitis can be exacerbated by cold, dry weather, low humidity, and artificial heating, because these conditions dry out the skin and weaken its barrier, which can lead to increased irritation and inflammation.^{1, 2, 3}

To combat these symptoms, apply a therapeutic, fragrance-free moisturiser at least twice daily, avoid harsh fabrics, limit hot showers, and after bathing, pat the skin dry and moisturise immediately. ^{1, 2, 3}

Your local IPA Pharmacist can advise on over-the-counter, topical anti-inflammatories if you need them.

2. Excessive handwashing can cause dry skin and irritation

While washing your hands won’t cause eczema in most people, overdoing handwashing or other hand hygiene practices can cause your skin to develop eczema-like symptoms, such as extreme dryness or irritation.

If prolonged, these symptoms can eventually result in hand eczema or contact dermatitis if the soap or product you’re using irritates your skin. Eczema sufferers may notice that their symptoms get worse with very frequent handwashing.⁴

Washing with a gentler, soap-free wash may help (see your local IPA Pharmacy), dry your hands thoroughly, including the webs of your fingers and under your rings, apply non-fragranced moisturiser regularly, and use protective gloves when doing household chores, like washing the dishes or gardening.⁵

3. Long, hot showers help hydrate the skin – wrong!

A hot shower on a cold morning or evening feels great. Standing in that steamy shower, you can feel the warm moisture pampering your skin, tempting you to stay in a little longer.

But stay in too long and that hot shower will most likely be stripping the natural oils from your skin, which could actually dehydrate your skin and may lead to dryness and itchiness. Dermatology experts recommend limiting showers to ten minutes maximum.⁶

And, if you have eczema, use lukewarm water and have shorter showers, especially in winter when excessive heat can damage the surface of the skin, possibly leading to inflammation and an increase in your symptoms. Apply a moisturiser straight after drying off.⁷

4. Certain winter fabrics can irritate sensitive skin

Rugging up is important in winter, but some fabrics, like polyester, rayon, and nylon, can trigger dermatitis, or an allergic rash. Many synthetic fabrics don’t breathe as well as natural fibres, making you sweat and causing heat retention to irritate your skin. However, wool can also be a problem for some people.

Chemicals and dyes in fabrics may also cause skin problems, and, for some, the combination of a tight-fitting garment and sweat can irritate the skin as the fabric rubs against it.

A solution is to wear loose, natural fibre clothing, or a soft, breathable natural fibre layer under warmer clothing to reduce contact with rough fabrics or the chemicals and dyes in the garments. Choosing light-coloured garments or clothes that don’t say “wash separately” can also help because these fabrics are likely to have less dye in them.⁸

5. Indoor heating can dehydrate your skin

Using heaters indoors dries out the air and your skin with it and can contribute significantly to winter skin dryness especially if you don’t have a humidifier. While we don’t always think of humidifiers in Australia, they can be helpful in certain regions—especially in the south and inland areas where winters are dry—because they add moisture back into the air.

It can be good idea to use a humidifier in key areas of your home like the bedroom. Even placing a bowl of water near heaters can slightly increase air moisture. This small change can reduce skin irritation, especially overnight.⁹

6. Your skin needs sunscreen even in winter

It’s a common misconception that you can stay longer in the weaker winter sun without sunscreen. But while UVB levels (the rays that cause sunburn) drop in winter, UVA rays, which penetrate deeply into the skin and contribute to premature ageing and skin cancer, remain present year-round.

The Cancer Council advises that UV levels are 3 or above right through the winter months in most of Australia, so wearing at least SPF30+ or higher sunscreen daily is highly advisable.^{10, 11, 12}

Remember too, that UV levels are higher in alpine regions than at sea level and snow is highly reflective, so don’t forget to pack the sunscreen for that ski trip!

7. Your skin needs will change as you age, especially in winter

As you age, your skin changes. For example, it gets thinner, less elastic and with more obvious wrinkles. These changes can be exacerbated in the colder, dryer conditions of winter. Even if your skin has been unproblematic over the years, you may find you’re facing new winter skin woes as you get older.

If you’re in mid-life or beyond, the previous tips may help, but it’s important not to ignore dry skin. Untreated dry skin can escalate into nummular dermatitis, a type of eczema that looks like the dry skin condition often seen on older people’s legs. But this itchy condition can put you at greater risk of cellulitis, a potentially serious skin infection that can spread to the bloodstream.

Seek medical help if you develop an itchy, red rash. If it becomes more severe, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist.¹³

How your IPA Pharmacy can help

Dry, itchy, flaky, or inflamed skin doesn’t have to be your winter norm. With a few seasonal tweaks—like using a good therapeutic moisturiser regularly, avoiding harsh cleansers, staying hydrated, and using the right clothing—you can reduce winter skin flare-ups, especially if you’re managing dermatitis.

Your local IPA Pharmacy is a great resource for personalised skincare advice. The team is there to give you good advice and help you find the right products to soothe and protect your skin through winter—and all year round.

Stay warm, stay moisturised, and don’t forget the sunscreen!

Who are IPA Pharmacists?

IPA Pharmacists are part of Australia’s largest network of independent pharmacies. They offer personalised healthcare and expertise in medicines. They specialise in various health aspects, such as sleep and diabetes, and are dedicated to supporting your wellness journey. With a network of over 1,100 pharmacies and growing, an IPA pharmacy near you is ready to provide exceptional advice, services, and products to enhance your health outcomes.

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