Winter skin: why it gets dry and how to nourish it from within
Tightness, redness, itching, dull complexion: as soon as the cold sets in, the skin sends out signals. Creams and topical treatments are essential, but diet and certain nutrients also play their part. Here is why skin dries out in winter and how to support it from the inside, with clarity.
📑 Contents
- Why skin dries out in winter
- Skin barrier: understanding the mechanism
- Vitamin C and collagen formation
- Zinc: the maintenance of normal skin
- Collagen and hyaluronic acid: what studies say
- The complete winter routine
❄️ Why skin dries out in winter
Several factors combine with the first signs of cold weather. The outside air is drier and contains less water vapor. Indoors, heating further dries out the atmosphere. Hot showers, which are welcome when it is cold, strip away the skin's protective film. Finally, wind and sudden temperature fluctuations weaken the skin's surface.
Result: water evaporates more easily from the superficial layers of the epidermis, the skin loses its suppleness and becomes more reactive. If you are hesitant between dry skin and dehydrated skin, our article Dehydrated skin or dry skin: how to tell the difference? will help you see things clearly.
🧬 Dry or dehydrated?
Dry skin lacks lipids, the fats that ensure it is sealed. Dehydrated skin lacks water and can affect all skin types, including oily skin. In winter, both situations often occur, which is why it is beneficial to combine appropriate skincare with a healthy lifestyle.
🧱 Skin barrier: understanding the mechanism
The outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, functions like a wall: dead cells are the bricks, and a cement of lipids (ceramides, fatty acids, cholesterol) binds them together. This wall limits water loss and protects against external aggressions. When this cement is altered, the skin loses more water and becomes uncomfortable (Rawlings & Harding, 2004).
To support it, three approaches are possible: protecting the barrier from the outside (oily creams, gentle soaps, lukewarm water), humidifying the ambient air, and paying attention to dietary intake. This last point is what interests us here.
🥑 The right fats on your plate
Fatty acids from food (olive oil, rapeseed oil, fatty fish, nuts, avocado) are among the materials the body uses to renew its lipids. A diet too low in quality fats can therefore show on the skin. It is better to include them in every meal, in reasonable quantities.
🍊 Vitamin C and collagen formation
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin. It also contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Specifically, it is an essential cofactor for the enzymes that enable the production and stabilization of collagen fibers, and the skin is one of the tissues richest in vitamin C (Pullar et al., 2017).
Dietary sources include citrus fruits, kiwis, bell peppers, parsley, broccoli, and cabbage. Winter offers a beautiful range: clementines, oranges, kiwis, Brussels sprouts. These foods remain the foundation, which a supplement cannot replace. To understand the association with collagen, read Collagen and vitamin C: why combine them? and The benefits of vitamin C for the skin.
✅ Our Vitamin C (Instant+) at Pure Lab Nutrition: 30 capsules of 1000 mg vitamin C in pocket format, a vitamin that contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
👉 Discover our Vitamin C (Instant+) here.
🔩 Zinc: the maintenance of normal skin
Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, as well as the maintenance of normal hair and nails and the protection of cells from oxidative stress. The skin is one of the tissues that contain the most of it, and it is involved in cell division, healing, and tissue repair (Ogawa et al., 2018).
Dietary sources are seafood (oysters), meat, eggs, pumpkin seeds, legumes, and nuts. Vegetarians and vegans should pay particular attention to this, as zinc from plants is less well absorbed. Also discover our articles The benefits of zinc for skin and hair and Zinc: roles, daily requirements, and signs of deficiency.
✅ Our Zinc Bisglycinate at Pure Lab Nutrition: 15 mg of zinc per day in bisglycinate form, with vitamins B6 and C, to contribute to the maintenance of normal skin.
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🧩 Collagen and hyaluronic acid: what studies say
These are two very popular ingredients for the skin, and it is important to be transparent: there is no authorized health claim in the European Union for collagen or hyaluronic acid taken orally. We therefore cannot attribute any precise effect on the skin to them. Here is simply the state of research.
📚 Collagen: interesting studies, to be interpreted with caution
Several clinical trials have studied collagen peptides in volunteers. A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial reported changes in skin parameters, such as elasticity, after several weeks of intake (Proksch et al., 2014). A more recent meta-analysis gathered numerous trials and concluded favorable results on hydration and elasticity, while highlighting the heterogeneity of the studies and the need for additional independent work (de Miranda et al., 2021). To choose according to your habits, see Collagen tablets, capsules, or powder: which format to choose?.
💧 Hyaluronic acid: a known molecule, a field of research in progress
Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the skin, where it retains water. Taken orally, it has been the subject of limited clinical trials, including a 12-week double-blind study (Oe et al., 2017). The evidence remains preliminary. Our article Hyaluronic acid capsules: is it effective for the skin? details these data.
✅ Our Marine Collagen (Instant+) at Pure Lab Nutrition: 1000 mg of marine collagen (types I and III) combined with vitamin C, in pocket format.
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✅ Our Hyaluronic Acid (Instant+) at Pure Lab Nutrition: hyaluronic acid combined with vitamin C, in 30 vegan capsules.
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🧴 The complete winter routine
Supplements are only one link. Here is a realistic routine for the cold season.
- Cleanse gently: lukewarm water, products without harsh soap, brief washing.
- Hydrate and nourish: rich cream applied to slightly damp skin, lip balm, hand protection when outdoors.
- Protect: sunscreen remains useful in the mountains or in bright weather, even in winter.
- Humidify the air: ventilate every day, avoid overheating (19 to 20°C is enough in living rooms).
- Drink and eat well: water, herbal teas, healthy fats, colorful fruits and vegetables.
- Sleep: skin repairs itself mostly at night.
For an overview, consult our guide Beauty routine from the inside: skin, hair, and nails.
⚠️ When to consult?
Persistent red patches, intense itching, bleeding cracks, or skin that does not improve despite appropriate care may reveal a dermatosis (eczema, psoriasis) or another cause: consult a doctor or dermatologist. Food supplements do not replace medical treatment.
✅ In summary
1️⃣ Cold, dry air, heating, and hot showers weaken the skin barrier: topical treatments remain the first line of defense.
2️⃣ Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, and zinc to the maintenance of normal skin.
3️⃣ For collagen and hyaluronic acid, no European claim is authorized: studies are promising but require nuance.
4️⃣ A comprehensive routine (gentle care, humidified air, healthy fats, sleep) makes the difference.
Pure Lab Nutrition — The art of nourishing your well-being.
Scientific sources:
- Rawlings AV, Harding CR. Moisturization and skin barrier function. Dermatologic Therapy. 2004;17(Suppl 1):43-48.
- Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The roles of vitamin C in skin health. Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866.
- Ogawa Y, Kinoshita M, Shimada S, Kawamura T. Zinc and skin disorders. Nutrients. 2018;10(2):199.
- Proksch E, et al. Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 2014;27(1):47-55.
- de Miranda RB, Weimer P, Rossi RC. Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Dermatology. 2021;60(12):1449-1461.
- Oe M, et al. Oral hyaluronan relieves wrinkles: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study over a 12-week period. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2017;12:1259-1265.
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