Why Your Skin Might Feel Drier This Winter — and How to Support It (Inside and Out)
As the crisp winter air settles in here in Melbourne, I’ve been hearing the same thing in clinic from many of you — “My skin feels so dry and irritated lately!”
You’re not alone.
Winter brings with it a number of challenges for both the skin and the immune system. Colder air, indoor heating, hot showers, and lower humidity levels all contribute to moisture loss from the skin. Meanwhile, our immune system is often under more pressure with seasonal viruses, less sun exposure, and changes in daily rhythm.
The good news is, there are simple, evidence-based ways to support your skin and immunity through winter — using food as medicine, supportive skincare, and small daily rituals that make a big impact.
Here are my top 3 recommendations to get you through the winter months:
1. Hydrate with Intention — From the Inside Out
Water is essential, but during winter, it’s not always enough to keep the skin feeling hydrated and resilient. The cold air, indoor heating, and reduced humidity draw moisture from the skin, which is why it’s important to also focus on internal hydration through the nutrients that help reinforce the skin barrier.
One of the most important additions during the colder months is essential fatty acids — particularly omega-3s. These healthy fats play a key role in maintaining skin barrier function, reducing inflammation, and preventing dryness and irritation. They also support immune function, cardiovascular health, and nervous system balance — all areas that may be under more stress during the winter season.
To support your skin and immune system from the inside out, try increasing your intake of:
Avocado – rich in monounsaturated fats and vitamin E
Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, or sardines – excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids
Flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts – plant-based sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil – anti-inflammatory and rich in polyphenols
Including these foods regularly can help improve skin hydration, elasticity, and overall resilience. This is especially important if you’re experiencing dry, flaking, or tight skin that doesn’t seem to respond well to topical products alone.
Your skin reflects what’s happening internally — and during winter, it often needs deeper nourishment, not just more moisturiser.
2. Adjust Your Skincare Routine to Match the Season
As the weather shifts, so should your skincare. Cold temperatures, wind, and artificial heating all compromise the skin’s natural barrier, increasing transepidermal water loss and making the skin more prone to dryness, sensitivity, and inflammation.
One of the most effective ways to care for your skin during winter is to simplify and strengthen your routine with nourishing, barrier-supportive products. This means stepping back from overly active or foaming formulations that can strip the skin, and instead focusing on hydration and repair.
Look for:
Cream or milk-based cleansers that gently remove impurities without disrupting the skin’s acid mantle
Barrier-repairing moisturisers that contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or shea butter
Facial oils or omega-rich serums that help seal in moisture and protect against environmental stress
These types of formulations work to replenish lost hydration, calm inflammation, and restore balance to the skin barrier — which is especially important if you’re experiencing flakiness, tightness, or increased reactivity.
If your current skincare routine doesn’t seem to be working or your skin feels unpredictable, you may benefit from a Skin Analysis + Skincare Prescription session. This is a 30-minute appointment designed to provide a professional review of your skin, along with tailored product and treatment recommendations — ideal for those wanting personalised advice without booking in for a full treatment.
Your skin’s needs will change with the seasons. Taking a more intentional, seasonal approach to skincare helps protect and restore the skin’s integrity through the colder months.
Products We Love This Winter: Bare Roots Gentle Milk Cleanser, Synergie Skin Hydrolock, Synergie Skin Lumibalance , Ritual Blue Lotus or Bare Roots Omega Oil
3. Support Your Immune System Daily
Winter is one of the most important times of year to support immune resilience. With less sun, more time indoors, and increased exposure to cold and flu viruses, it’s common to feel more run down — and this often shows up in the skin, too.
Your immune system and skin both thrive on consistency, rest, and nourishment. A few key principles to keep in mind:
Eat warming, nutrient-dense meals – soups, stews, and bone broths are ideal
Include immune-supportive herbs and spices like garlic, ginger, turmeric, rosemary, and thyme
Explore the use of medicinal mushrooms (such as shiitake, reishi, or turkey tail) for their immune-modulating properties
Drink herbal teas with ingredients like echinacea, elderberry, or astragalus to gently support daily immune function
Ensure you’re getting enough key nutrients:
Vitamin C for collagen and immune defence
Zinc for skin healing and immune modulation
Vitamin D (often deficient in winter) to support overall immune health
Vitamin A for epithelial repair and skin regeneration
If you’re experiencing persistent fatigue, recurring infections, or just can’t seem to shake a cold, I offer Acute Care Naturopathy Sessions. These are short, targeted consults that focus on natural immune support using herbal medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies — tailored to your unique needs.
Winter is a season that calls for gentleness and care for your skin, your immune system, and your overall wellbeing. If you're feeling dry, tired, or out of rhythm, it might be your body’s way of asking for more nourishment, rest, or support.
New Winter Support Services Now Available
Acute Care Naturopathy
Short, focused consultations to support recovery from colds, flu, and viral infections. Ideal for boosting resilience when you’re feeling run down.
Skin Analysis + Skincare Prescription
A 30-minute appointment for personalised skin assessment, product advice, and treatment planning — without needing to book in for a full facial.
