Help! My skin feels like sandpaper, what does the winter air do to your skin?

• December 12 2025
• 9 min reading time

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You probably recognize it: as soon as the temperature drops and the heating goes on, your skin changes from soft and supple to tight, dull, and dry. Especially your cheeks, hands, and legs suffer. And that itching... as if your skin is screaming for extra attention. What actually happens to your skin in winter and more importantly: what can you do about it?

Why do you get dry skin faster in winter?

As soon as the cold sets in, humidity drops. Outside it’s cold and dry, inside the heating is blasting. And all those temperature changes make your skin constantly adjust. The result? Your skin barrier gets out of balance and loses moisture. Add warm showers and lack of sunlight, and voilà: a winter cocktail for very dry skin.

Typical winter skin complaints:

• Flakes on your forehead or cheeks

• Red, chapped spots (especially around your nose)

• Itching or a tight feeling after showering

• Cracks or fissures in your hands or lips
  
  

The role of your skin barrier (and why it needs extra care now)

Your skin barrier is like a protective shield that holds in moisture and keeps irritants out. But in winter, that shield gets damaged more easily. Think of the effect of harsh wind, dry air, or frequent hand washing (with too harsh soap). And if that barrier doesn’t work well, your skin not only loses moisture but can also become more sensitive to redness and irritation.

Fortunately, you can give your skin a big helping hand!

This is how you give your skin extra care in winter!

You really don’t have to buy a whole new skincare routine right away. Often it’s about small adjustments, things you already do every day, but just a little differently.

1. Switch to richer care
Light creams are great in summer, but in winter you can go for something richer. Choose a cream or balm that nourishes and protects your skin. Ingredients like shea butter, vegetable oils, and beeswax work like a warm blanket for your skin.

2. Shower less hot (and shorter!)
So tempting, a hot shower when you’re cold. But hot water dries out your skin a lot. Try cooler temperatures and limit showering to 5 to 10 minutes. Washing your hands with lukewarm water also makes a difference!

3. Apply immediately after showering
As soon as you get out of the shower, your skin is still a bit damp, the perfect moment to apply. This way you lock in the moisture. Use a nourishing body lotion or oil. You will notice that your skin feels much less tight.

4. Don’t forget your lips
Chapped lips are the number one winter problem. A nice lip balm with beeswax or vegetable oils helps your lips to heal and protect against the cold. Apply lip balm several times a day, especially if you spend a lot of time outside.

5. Use a humidifier in your home
Indoor air can get so dry in winter that your skin (and nose, and throat…) suffers quite a bit. A humidifier helps keep the moisture level in your home balanced. No fancy device? A bowl of water on the radiator also helps a bit.

Do you have these symptoms? Then your skin needs extra care

• Your foundation seems to sit in flakes on your face

• You constantly feel the urge to scratch

• Hand cream seems to be ‘absorbed’ as soon as you apply it

• Your skin feels even drier after washing or showering
  
  

If you recognize yourself in this, it’s time for a winter skincare upgrade. Don’t immediately think: ‘Oh, it’s just a bit dry.’ Well-cared-for skin not only feels better, it also prevents premature aging, cracks, and even eczema-like complaints.

What do you need for winterproof skincare?

Weleda facial care has combined the power of nature with skin knowledge for over 100 years. The products are gentle, effective, and tailored to every skin type, from sensitive to dry. A true winter favorite is the Skin Food line: intensely nourishing, 100% natural, and ideal for the whole family. Perfect to help your skin through the cold months.

Curious about natural care for your body and hair? Weleda also has great products for that, all with the same gentle, pure approach.

Morning: ready for a fresh start

Start your day with a few simple steps that make your skin glow instantly – even if you’re still half asleep:

1. Cleanse with the nourishing cleansing gel
   Wash the night away and give your skin a fresh start without drying out your hair.

2. Glow it up with the Super Serum
   A few drops are enough to give your skin that subtle glow boost. You’ll notice the difference immediately.

3. Day cream apply = ready for the day
   Hydrates, protects, and ensures your face can effortlessly handle the cold.

4. Don’t forget your lips!
   The Skin Food lip butter stick is your winter must-have. No more cracked lips, but soft, supple lips all day long.

Evening: time for self-care and recovery

Evenings are all about repairing, nourishing, and… relaxing. Give your skin the love it deserves after a long day.

1. Cleanse again with the gel
   Say goodbye to makeup, dirt, and stress. Your skin can breathe again.

2. Serum = must
   Apply a few drops of Super Serum on. Your skin can really use that extra care now.

3. Pamper your body with the Body Butter
   Rich, creamy, and perfect to absorb overnight. Hello soft skin!

4. Night cream time
   Nourishes your skin while you cozy up under the covers. Works while you sleep, how nice is that?

5. Lip balm to the rescue
   Apply a layer of lip balm for soft lips until morning.

Extra tip for winter dryness:
Do you have very dry or sensitive spots (think: elbows, knees, flakes on your face)? Then grab the Skin Food all-in-one cream. Apply it to the dry areas – or use it as an extra nourishing mask over your entire face. Your skin soaks it up.

What do you need for winterproof haircare?

Cold, wind, and dry air... your hair has it tough in winter. Fortunately, there are natural solutions that make your locks shine again. With Weleda hair care, you give your hair exactly what it needs now: nourishment, softness, and protection – without silicones or unnecessary additives.

• Oat Regenerating Duo
  The savior for dry, brittle, or damaged hair. With organic oats and jojoba oil for repair, shine, and suppleness.
  
  

• Rosemary Revitalizing Duo
  Perfect for fine or lifeless hair. Rosemary oil and hyaluronic acid give your hair more volume and energy without weighing it down.
  
  

• Millet Mild Shampoo
  A gentle shampoo for daily use. Cleanses your hair and scalp mildly, with a fresh scent of grapefruit and peppermint.
  
  

• Rosemary Hair Lotion
  Stimulates the scalp and helps reduce hair loss. Ideal if your hair feels thinner or weaker in winter.
  
  

• Rosemary Hair Oil
  Intensely nourishes dry ends and restores shine to dull hair. Also great for a relaxing scalp massage.

Weleda for the whole family 

Weleda thinks of everyone. Whether you’re looking for a care product for yourself, your partner, your baby, or your pregnant belly, the products are all natural, gentle, and effective.

Weleda Men: offers powerful care that perfectly matches the needs of male skin. From a hydrating day cream to a fresh deodorant or soothing aftershave balm, everything without nasties but with results.

Weleda Mama: is specially made for (expectant) mothers. Whether you want to keep your skin supple during pregnancy, make your breastfeeding period more comfortable, or pamper your body with nourishing oils: this line is safe, natural, and developed together with midwives.

Weleda Baby Calendula: has been a trusted choice for years for parents who want the very best for their little one. With organic calendula, protective oils, and ultra-mild formulas, you care for delicate baby skin in a gentle, natural way, perfectly suited to the sensitivity of little ones.

Finally: a little extra love works wonders

Your skin (and hair!) really takes a beating in winter. Cold, wind, dry air, hot showers, it’s no wonder everything feels tight, dull, or sensitive. But the good news? With a little extra care and the right gentle products, you can help your skin and hair get back in balance.

Whether you choose a nourishing face cream, a soothing body butter, or a restorative shampoo, as long as you listen to what your skin needs, you’re already on the right track. And want to keep it pure and natural? Then Weleda is the perfect choice.

Are you unsure which products best suit your skin or hair? Our customer service is happy to help. Email us at info@haarspullen.nl info@haarspullen.nl or call us during office hours, we are happy to help you find a routine that really suits you.