When the heating finally comes on, we’re happy about the warmth — but our skin definitely isn’t.
In autumn and winter, indoor humidity can drop by almost half, and the air becomes desert-dry.
The result? Tightness, flaking, irritation, dullness, and that uncomfortable feeling as if your skin suddenly shrank by a size.
The good news: this isn’t a life sentence and it’s not “just your skin type.”
It’s a condition you can manage. With the right routine, your skin can stay comfortable even during heating season.
Why Skin Gets Dry When the Heating Is On
1. Dry air = faster moisture loss
When indoor humidity drops, TEWL (transepidermal water loss) increases.
That’s why even oily skin can suddenly feel tight and uncomfortable.
2. A weakened barrier after summer
During summer, skin is exposed to sun, salt water, and air conditioning. The lipid layer becomes thinner, so in autumn it simply can’t hold on to moisture as well as before.
3. Stress and lack of sleep
An irregular schedule, stress, and poor sleep directly affect the skin’s ability to retain water.
1. Cleansing: gentle, delicate, never “squeaky clean”
The main rule: the drier the air, the gentler your cleanser should be.
Look for formulas with mild surfactants such as:
- Sodium cocoyl glutamate
- Sodium cocoyl isethionate
- Cocamidopropyl betaine
They cleanse without stripping the skin’s natural lipid barrier or causing irritation.
It’s best to avoid:
- harsh sulfates,
- alcohols,
- cleansers that leave your face feeling “squeaky.”
After cleansing, skin should feel soft and comfortable — not tight.
2. Moisturising That Actually Works: Three Key Ingredient Groups
Hydration isn’t about how thick your cream is. It’s about balance — ingredients that play different roles.
Humectants — attract moisture
- glycerin
- hyaluronic acid
- betaine
- urea (up to 5%)
Emollients — soften and smooth the skin
- squalane
- triglycerides
- fatty alcohols (cetyl, cetearyl)
- cholesterol
- phytosphingosine
Occlusives — lock moisture in
- silicones (for example, dimethicone)
- plant waxes
Important detail
Ceramides are not occlusives.
They rebuild the skin’s intercellular “cement” and strengthen the barrier — perfect for colder months.
Occlusives, on the other hand, are more suitable for very dry or atopic skin. A cream with occlusives also works beautifully as a SOS product during winter, especially if your skin is prone to windburn.
3. How to Build the Right Winter Routine
After cleansing (on damp skin):
→ apply a lightweight hydrating essence or toner (hyaluronic acid + panthenol)
Then:
→ follow with a cream containing ceramides, emollients, and soothing ingredients
→ if needed, layer a cream with occlusives on top to reduce moisture loss
4. Exfoliation in Winter: Only When Needed
Many people try to “scrub away” flakiness with acids, but this often makes things worse.
Acid exfoliation during heating season makes sense if:
- skin looks dull,
- there are fine irregularities,
- you want to refresh skin texture.
The gentlest options:
- lactic acid 5–10%
- mandelic acid 5–10%
- enzyme peels
5. SPF in November? Absolutely.
UVA rays pass through clouds and windows. Slowly but steadily, they break down collagen and weaken the skin barrier.
That’s why SPF 50+ is a daily essential — even when the sun feels “purely symbolic.”
6. Your Indoor Climate Matters Too
To prevent skin from drying out:
- use a humidifier,
- keep indoor temperature around 19–21°C,
- don’t sleep with your face facing a radiator or warm air flow.
7. When Your Skin Is Clearly Not Okay
It’s time to seek professional advice if you notice:
- intense redness,
- cracks,
- pain,
- persistent flaking,
- signs of dermatitis.
These symptoms go beyond simple dryness and signal inflammation.
So, what’s the takeaway?
Skin can handle heating season beautifully when you give it a bit more care:
gentle cleansing, proper hydration, ceramides, mild exfoliation, and daily sun protection.
That’s what wow-care is all about — creating comfort for your skin, even when conditions are anything but comfortable.
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