Skincare in Dry Weather: 8 Important Tips to Prevent Flaking and Irritation

The dry season is often the biggest challenge for the skin. During this time, the skin easily loses moisture, its protective barrier weakens, and this can lead to irritation, premature aging, and reduced absorption of nutrients. If skincare is done incorrectly, the skin may become even drier and tighter, and in some cases may develop silent micro-inflammation.

So how should you properly care for your skin during dry weather? Below is a professional guide to help you understand the root causes and take care of your skin effectively and safely.

1. How does dry weather affect the skin?

Dry weather significantly reduces humidity in the air, which increases Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL). When water in the stratum corneum evaporates faster than the skin can replenish it, the structure of skin cells becomes less cohesive. At the same time, the intercellular lipid system - which plays an important role in protecting the skin - also becomes weakened. As a result, the skin not only feels dry and tight on the surface but also becomes more sensitive, making it easier to experience irritation, stinging, and stronger reactions to environmental factors as well as skincare products.

2. The difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin – a common reason people care for their skin incorrectly

One of the most common reasons why skincare during the dry season is ineffective is the confusion between dry skin and dehydrated skin. Dehydrated skin is a condition where the skin lacks water within its cells. It can occur in any skin type, even oily skin. Typical signs include tightness, dullness, and increased sensitivity. Dry skin, on the other hand, is caused by a lack of structural lipids, which leads to flaking, roughness, cracking, and difficulty retaining moisture. During the dry season, the skin often becomes dehydrated first. If skincare only focuses on applying moisturizer without properly hydrating the skin, the skin will gradually lose balance and become weaker over time.

 

3. 8 Important Tips for Skincare During the Dry Season

3.1. Reduce Over-Cleansing to Protect the Skin Barrier

During the dry season, excessive cleansing can strip away the skin’s natural lipids, which are already weakened. Cleansers containing strong surfactants or high pH levels can easily disrupt the structure of the stratum corneum, causing the skin to lose moisture even faster. Therefore, it is recommended to prioritize gentle cleansers with a skin-friendly pH. This helps minimize damage to the skin barrier right from the very first step of your skincare routine.

Recommended Product: Sensitive Cleanser.

From the specific challenges of sensitive skin, Atache developed Sensitive Cleanser as a specialized cleansing solution, combining the foundation of French Hydrotherapy with a system of gentle surfactants. The formula incorporates Salies-de-Béarn medical mineral water, which helps optimize skin pH, soothe the skin, and strengthen the skin’s protective barrier. Meanwhile, the Glucamate™ and Miracare® systems create optimally sized micelles that effectively remove impurities while preserving the skin’s natural lipid layer, helping minimize irritation on sensitive or weakened skin.

3.2. Prioritize smart hydration instead of only moisturizing

Hydration is the foundational step in skincare during dry seasons. When the skin receives sufficient water, osmotic pressure decreases, the stratum corneum becomes softer, and the skin can better absorb subsequent skincare products. If this step is skipped and only moisturizer is applied, the skin may feel heavy or congested while still remaining dehydrated underneath.

3.3. Replenish lipids to restore the skin barrier

A healthy skin barrier requires adequate levels of ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids. Dry weather can disrupt the skin’s natural lipid synthesis, weakening its protective barrier. Proper lipid replenishment helps reinforce the structure of the stratum corneum, reduce transepidermal water loss, and significantly improve overall skin stability.

Recommended Product: Advanced Cream.

Advanced Repair Cream is a breakthrough in modern skincare technology, inspired by the latest discoveries in cellular regeneration science.

Extracts from Scutellaria root and holy herb work at the cellular level to form a protective shield around skin cells, helping repair DNA damage, heal visible signs of skin stress, and slow down the aging process. Soy Glycopeptides combined with low–molecular-weight Hyaluronic Acid help reinforce the extracellular matrix (ECM) by stimulating collagen production, promoting the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid synthesis, and preventing chronic ECM degradation caused by inflammatory cells. Meanwhile, the Ceramide complex plays a key role in epidermal hydration, restoring the optimal function of the skin barrier, reducing transepidermal water loss, and maintaining long-lasting moisture and smoothness.

Its lightweight cream texture absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving it visibly plumper, smoother, and more radiant after a short period of use.

3.4. Optimize Morning and Evening Skincare Routines

The skin has different needs during the day and at night. During the day, the main goal is to protect the skin and limit moisture loss caused by environmental factors. At night, however, it is the ideal time for the skin to repair and restore its barrier. Using the same routine for both morning and evening may prevent the skin from meeting its physiological needs, especially during dry seasons.

3.5. Reduce the Frequency of Strong Treatments

Treatment ingredients such as acids or retinoids can increase TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss) and cause irritation on skin that is already dehydrated. During dry seasons, if the skin is not stable, reducing the frequency or temporarily stopping strong treatments can give the skin time to repair its barrier, thereby lowering the risk of prolonged micro-inflammation.

3.6. Sunscreen Is Still Essential

Many people believe sunscreen is unnecessary during colder seasons, but in reality, UV rays are still active and continue to break down the lipid layer of the stratum corneum. Consistent use of sunscreen helps limit moisture loss, protect the skin barrier, and prevent premature aging, especially in dry conditions.

3.7. Avoid Factors That Worsen Dry Skin

Habits such as taking very hot showers, staying too long in dry air-conditioned environments, or using products containing drying alcohols and strong fragrances can make dry skin worse. Eliminating these factors helps reduce stress on the skin barrier and supports its natural recovery process.

3.8. Don’t Forget Lips, Eye Area, and Body Skin

Not only facial skin but also the lips, eye area, and body skin are strongly affected during dry seasons. These areas have a thinner stratum corneum or are more exposed to the environment, making them prone to dehydration and flaking. Caring for the entire skin surface helps improve overall dryness and discomfort.

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Skincare in Dry Weather

Is flaky skin during dry seasons caused by lack of moisture or lack of water? In most cases, flaking during dry seasons begins with dehydration (lack of water) first, which later leads to lipid deficiency and true dryness. When the skin remains dehydrated for a long time, the structure of the stratum corneum weakens, making the skin prone to peeling even when moisturizer is applied. Therefore, using moisturizers without properly hydrating the skin will not address the root of the problem.

Why does applying more moisturizer sometimes make the skin feel clogged and irritated?

Moisturizers mainly function to lock in moisture and replenish lipids. If the skin has not been sufficiently hydrated or is experiencing micro-inflammation, applying thick layers of cream can trap the imbalance beneath the skin, reduce oxygen exchange, and lead to clogged pores or stinging sensations. During dry seasons, it is important to prioritize hydration and skin barrier repair before sealing moisture with creams.

Do oily skin types need special care during dry seasons?

Yes. Oily skin can still become dehydrated in dry weather. When oily skin lacks water, sebaceous glands tend to produce more oil to compensate, causing the skin to feel tight and dry internally while appearing oily on the surface. Therefore, oily skin still needs proper hydration and barrier repair to maintain balance.

Should you continue using peels or retinol during dry seasons?

During dry seasons, peels and retinol do not always need to be completely stopped, but their frequency and intensity should be adjusted. On skin that is already dehydrated and has a weakened barrier, strong treatments can easily increase TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and trigger micro-inflammation. Prioritizing skin stabilization first will allow these treatments to work more effectively in the long run.

Is sunscreen necessary during dry seasons?

Sunscreen remains an essential step even in colder weather. UV rays not only accelerate skin aging but also break down the lipid layer of the stratum corneum, causing the skin to lose moisture more quickly. Consistent sunscreen use helps protect the skin barrier and supports the skin’s recovery during dry seasons.

How long does it take for the skin to recover with proper care?

If the skin is properly hydrated, supported with adequate lipids, and protected from damaging factors, the skin barrier can begin to improve within about 2–4 weeks. However, for skin that has been weakened for a long time or is naturally sensitive, the recovery period may take longer and requires consistency in the skincare routine.

Conclusion

Skincare during dry seasons is not simply about adding more moisturizer. It involves understanding the mechanisms of skin dehydration, restoring the skin barrier, and stabilizing the skin’s overall condition. When cared for correctly, the skin will not only stop flaking but also become healthier, less prone to irritation, and better prepared for more advanced treatments afterward.

References

1. Cosmetic Evaluation Center (C.E.C.), Estudio de Eficacia – SOFT DERM Soft Therapy.
   In vivo efficacy study on human skin evaluating the soothing, anti-itch, anti-redness, anti-inflammatory, and skin cell–protective effects of avenanthramide derivatives (D, E) and dihydro avenanthramide at a concentration of 500 ppm.
2. Elias, P. M. (2005). Stratum corneum defensive functions: an integrated view.
   Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 125(2), 183–200.Analysis of the role of the stratum corneum and intercellular lipid system (ceramides – cholesterol – fatty acids) in maintaining the skin barrier function and regulating transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
3. Rawlings, A. V., & Harding, C. R. (2004). Moisturization and skin barrier function.
   Dermatologic Therapy, 17(S1), 43–48.Discusses the relationship between stratum corneum hydration, TEWL, and the skin barrier’s ability to recover in cold and dry environmental conditions.
4. Verdier-Sévrain, S., & Bonté, F. (2007). Skin hydration: a review on its molecular mechanisms.
   Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 6(2), 75–82.Explores the biological mechanisms of skin hydration and the roles of humectants and physiological lipids in maintaining skin moisture.
5. Fluhr, J. W., et al. (2008). Inflammatory skin diseases and the skin barrier.
   Clinics in Dermatology, 26(1), 3–12.Examines the relationship between impaired skin barrier function, micro-inflammation, and skin sensitivity.
6. Sur, R., et al. (2008). Anti-inflammatory and anti-itch activity of colloidal oatmeal.
   Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 7(1), 34–38.Demonstrates the anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties of oat derivatives in the care of sensitive and irritated skin.