Winter Skin Science: How to Keep Your Skin Healthy in Cold Weather

Your skin is your body’s largest organ and your first line of defense against the environment, including immune threats. In cold weather, several factors work against skin health:

• Low humidity and dry winter air reduce moisture in the skin
  

• Indoor heating further dries out the air, increasing transepidermal water loss
  

• Cold temperatures impair the skin’s natural oils that normally protect the skin barrier
  

• Hot showers and hot water dissolve natural oils and worsen dryness
  

• Harsh soaps and frequent washing disrupt the skin barrier
  

• UV rays are still present year-round, increasing the risk of UV damage and skin cancer
  
  

The result is skin that feels tight, itchy, flaky, irritated, and more sensitive—especially on the face, neck, hands, lips, legs, and scalp.

At the center of winter skin care is the skin barrier—the outermost layer of the skin responsible for locking in moisture and keeping irritants out.

When the skin barrier is compromised, moisture escapes more easily, leading to dry skin, sensitivity, and inflammation (something highly relevant to aging). Supporting the barrier is the foundation of effective winter skin care.

Key ingredients that support the skin barrier include:

• Glycerin – draws water into the skin
  

• Hyaluronic acid – binds moisture to keep skin hydrated
  

• Shea butter and natural oils – seal moisture and replenish lipids
  

• Petroleum jelly and ointments – reduce moisture loss in severely dry areas
  
  

Using creams or thicker moisturizers (rather than lightweight lotions) helps protect the skin during periods of low humidity.

One of the biggest winter skin myths is that sunscreen isn’t necessary in cold weather.

In reality:

• UV rays are present year-round, even on cloudy winter days
  

• Snow reflects UV radiation, increasing exposure
  

• UV damage contributes to wrinkles, premature aging, and skin cancer
  
  

Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen daily to exposed areas like the face, neck, and hands. Make sunscreen part of your winter skin care routine—just like moisturizer.

UV rays don’t disappear in winter—and snow and clouds can actually reflect UV radiation, increasing exposure. That’s why we’re including Dune Suncare’s Mug Guard Facial Sunscreen with purchases of two supplements, while supplies last. Lightweight, hydrating, and designed for daily wear, it makes applying broad spectrum sunscreen an effortless part of your winter skin care routine.

One often-overlooked factor in skin health is what’s happening at the cellular level.

Niacinamide, a flush-free form of vitamin B3, plays a critical role in skin barrier function, inflammation regulation, and overall skin health. It also serves as a precursor to NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)—a molecule essential for cellular energy and DNA repair that is germane to healthy aging.

Research shows that niacinamide can:

• Support the skin barrier
  

• Improve skin hydration
  

• Reduce irritation and sensitivity
  

• Help regulate oil production (beneficial for acne-prone skin)
  

• Support skin resilience against environmental stressors
  
  

Tally Health’s NAD+ supplement contains 1,000 mg of niacinamide across two capsules, providing systemic support for NAD⁺ levels throughout the body—including the skin. While topical skin care products work from the outside in, cellular health and NAD⁺ support work from the inside out, addressing skin health at its biological foundation.

Applying moisturizer correctly is just as important as choosing the right one.

Winter skin care tips:

• Apply moisturizer immediately after washing or showering to lock in moisture
  

• Use creams or ointments for very dry or flaky skin
  

• Apply moisturizer to hands frequently, especially after using alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  

• Wear cotton gloves overnight after applying hand cream for deeper hydration
  

• Don’t forget the neck, lips, legs, and scalp
  
  

For lips, use a thick lip balm with occlusive ingredients like petroleum jelly to prevent cracking and irritation.

Many winter skin problems start in the shower. To prevent dry skin:

• Limit showers to 5–10 minutes
  

• Use lukewarm—not hot—water
  

• Avoid harsh soaps and fragranced cleansers
  

• Choose gentle, moisturizing cleansers
  

• Pat skin dry instead of rubbing
  
  

Frequent bathing and washing with hot water strips away natural oils, worsening dryness and itching.

While exfoliation can help remove flaky skin, overdoing it in winter can damage the skin barrier.

• Use gentle exfoliants like glycolic acid or salicylic acid sparingly
  

• Avoid harsh scrubs on sensitive skin
  

• Reduce exfoliation frequency during cold months
  
  

If you have eczema, psoriasis, or very sensitive skin, consult a dermatologist before using exfoliating treatments.

Topical skin care products are essential, but internal hydration matters too.

• Drink adequate water throughout the day
  

• Eat healthy fats that support skin’s natural oils
  

• Support cellular health through nutrients involved in energy production and repair
  
  

Skin hydration is influenced by both external moisture and internal health—especially during winter when the skin is under greater stress.

If you’re dealing with persistent irritation, itching, cracking, acne flare-ups, or worsening conditions like eczema or psoriasis, it may be time to consult a dermatologist. Some common skin conditions require targeted treatments beyond over-the-counter products.

Healthy winter skin isn’t about complicated routines—it’s about protecting the skin barrier, maintaining moisture, supporting cellular health, and minimizing environmental damage.

Key winter skin science principles:

• Protect the skin barrier
  

• Moisturize consistently
  

• Avoid harsh soaps and hot water
  

• Apply sunscreen year-round
  

• Support skin health at the cellular level with nutrients like niacinamide
  
  

With the right habits—and a deeper understanding of how winter affects your skin—you can protect, strengthen, and support healthy skin all season long.

Cold weather challenges your skin barrier—but cellular health matters, too. Tally Health’s NAD⁺ provides 1,000 mg of niacinamide to support NAD+ production, helping fuel the biological processes behind healthy, resilient skin all winter long.