Why Is My Skin So Dry in Winter? (And 4 Other Seasonal Skincare Questions, Answered)

Winter can be brutal on your skin. One day it’s business as usual, the next it feels tight, dry or irritated — and your usual routine just isn’t cutting it. It’s not just in your head. Cold weather, dry air, hot showers and wind exposure all affect the way your skin behaves. So how do you actually fix it?

Below, we answer five of the most Googled winter skincare questions with clear, science-backed advice. At the heart of it all is niacinamide — our hero ingredient for supporting sun-damaged, sensitive and dry winter skin.

1. Why is my skin so dry and flaky in winter?

Winter air is dry — both outside and indoors. Cold air can’t hold much humidity, and heaters suck even more moisture out of the air around you. This causes your skin to lose water faster than it can replenish it, leaving it dry, tight, and flaky. This isn’t necessarily a sign of skin damage — it’s just that your skin needs more hydration in these conditions than usual.

What helps:

• Keep showers short and warm (not hot), and avoid lingering in heated rooms without ventilation.
• Use a soap-free or cream cleanser to avoid stripping away your skin’s natural oils.
• Moisturise straight after washing while your skin is still damp to lock in hydration.
• Try: SolarCareB3 Moisturiser (5% niacinamide) for daily hydration support, or Intensive B3 (10%) if your skin is feeling especially dry or weather-worn.

2. Do I really need sunscreen in winter?

Yes — even in winter, UVA rays (the ones responsible for long-term skin ageing and DNA damage) are still very much present. They penetrate through clouds and glass, meaning your skin is exposed during your commute, by the window, or while running errands. Niacinamide helps here, too — it supports skin’s immune response and helps repair UV-related damage.

What helps:

• Apply SPF daily, even if you’re indoors most of the day.
• If you sit near a window, consider UV-protective film or sheer curtains to reduce daily exposure.
• Choose a sunscreen that hydrates as it protects, so you don’t need multiple layers.
• Try: Defence SPF 50, a broad-spectrum sunscreen with 5% niacinamide. It protects and hydrates at once, making it ideal for dry winter skin.

3. What is the moisture barrier — and how do I know if mine is damaged?

Your skin’s moisture barrier is a protective layer that keeps hydration in and irritants out. It’s made up of skin cells and natural lipids, and when it’s healthy, your skin feels strong and calm. But in winter, harsh weather, long hot showers, and strong products can wear it down. If your skin starts to sting when applying products, stays red, flakes persistently, or becomes unusually reactive, it’s likely your barrier is damaged — and needs repair, not just hydration.

What helps:

• Press pause on actives like retinol or acids, and avoid exfoliating until your skin settles.
• Stick with fragrance-free, ultra-gentle products designed to soothe and rebuild.
• Look for barrier-repairing ingredients like niacinamide, which boosts ceramide production, reduces inflammation, and helps restore balance.
• Try: Intensive B3 Moisturiser (10% niacinamide) for deep barrier support, or our original Moisturiser (5%) if your skin is reactive but not inflamed.

4. Should I be layering a serum under my moisturiser in winter?

If your skin still feels dry or tight even after moisturising, it may be dehydrated. This is where serums can come in — especially those with hyaluronic acid (HA), which draws water into the skin. But that hydration can evaporate in dry air if you don’t follow with a moisturiser to seal it in. Pairing HA with niacinamide enhances moisture retention and helps calm the skin. Adding antioxidants like superoxide dismutase also protects against winter stressors like pollution and UV.

What helps:

• Apply your serum to slightly damp skin to help it absorb.
• Always follow with a moisturiser to prevent moisture loss.
• Focus on hydration and barrier support rather than layering too many actives.
• Try: Super B3 Serum, which combines 2.3% hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and superoxide dismutase to hydrate, calm and protect.

5. Why are my lips so dry and cracked in winter?

Lips don’t have oil glands, so they can’t moisturise themselves. Cold wind, dry indoor air and frequent lip licking all strip moisture from the delicate skin on your lips — and once they’re cracked, they need more than a basic balm to heal. Niacinamide helps by soothing and supporting the repair process, while pawpaw offers gentle hydration and nourishment.

What helps:

• Avoid licking your lips — saliva dries them out further.
• Use a repairing ointment, not just a waxy coating.
• Reapply regularly, especially before heading outdoors or going to bed.
• Try: B3 Lip, our repairing lip ointment with niacinamide and pawpaw to soothe, hydrate, and restore comfort without the stickiness.

Final Thought

Dry, tight, flaky or sensitive skin doesn’t have to be your winter normal. By understanding how your skin responds to colder conditions — and using targeted, barrier-supporting products — you can stay calm, hydrated and protected all season long.

All SolarCareB3 products are made in Australia, cruelty-free, and formulated with research-backed concentrations of niacinamide, our hero ingredient for visibly supporting sun-damaged, sensitive or winter-stressed skin. Shop the full range here.