Why the Colder Months Dry Out Your Skin — and What to Do About It

Have you ever noticed that as soon as the fall season hits, your skin starts to feel dry and itchy? You’re not imagining it. 

Here’s what’s happening: When the temperatures drop in autumn and winter, so does the air’s humidity. This dry, cold air will strip your skin of its natural oils, which are needed to keep your skin feeling moisturized and smooth. 

When you crank up the thermostat and take long, hot showers, you’re only making things worse — you’re flushing out those oils even more. This can make your skin super dry and may lead to what’s known as a “winter rash,” characterized by red bumps or otherwise sensitive, irritated skin. 

4 Essential Ingredients That Will Keep Your Skin Supple This Winter

Fortunately, you don’t need to move to a tropical climate to fight that extra dry, winter-weathered skin. Certain natural products can be used topically to restore needed moisture to your skin ASAP. 

Here are four of our favorite hydrating ingredients, and why they work. 

• Rose Hip Oil. Reportedly used daily by the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton herself for amazingly radiant skin, rose hip oil is filled with moisturizing fatty acids and nourishing vitamins to fight dry skin. It even helps strengthen your skin’s barrier, making it more resilient on those extra cold, windy days. 

• Grapeseed Oil. While you may know it as a fantastic high-heat cooking oil, grape seed oil can benefit your dry skin, too. Like coconut oil, it contains moisturizing linoleic acid -- but without the pore-clogging downsides. 

Find it in: Our CBD Hydrating Lip Balm. It’s way more nourishing than any old tube of chapstick!

• Hyaluronic Acid. Your body naturally produces hyaluronic acid to keep your skin moist and hydrated, so it makes sense to replenish this substance as soon as winter hits. It’s great to use topically, as it can penetrate your skin to retain moisture like no other. Nature always knows best!

Find it in: Our Nourishing Body Cream. Use it all over your body as soon as you hop out of the shower. 

• Hemp Seed Oil. Ever wonder why vegans love noshing on hemp seeds? It’s because they know that hemp contains all 21 amino acids -- which no other plant source can match. Amino acids are super important because they’re essentially the building blocks of proteins -- helping your body to burn fat and build muscle. When you use it on your face, these soothing compounds help balance out oily skin while encouraging new skin growth. 

Find it in: Our Harmonizing Face Cream, formulated for extra dry, super sensitive skin. 

The Bottom Line

The combination of dry air, cold weather and hot showers can really wreak havoc on your skin. Get your summer glow back by treating your skin with nourishing, all-natural ingredients that restore moisture and ease the winter sting.