Why Does Skin Get Drier in Autumn? Professor Caitriona Ryan on Caring for Your Skin as the Seasons Change
If your skin has felt a little needy lately, you are not imagining it. Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist and Co-Founder of the Institute of Dermatologists, joined Anna Geary on Supercharged on RTÉ Radio 1 to explain why autumn is such a tough season for skin, and what to change now. Thank you to Anna and the Supercharged team for having her.
Skin gets drier in autumn because colder outdoor air holds less moisture and central heating dries out the air indoors. Both increase the amount of water lost through the skin and weaken the skin barrier. The fix is simple: short, lukewarm showers, a gentle soap substitute, a richer moisturiser applied within two minutes of drying, and SPF every single day of the year.
"I always tell people when the clocks go back, you really have to pay attention to your skin," Professor Ryan said.
Why Does Skin Get Drier When the Clocks Go Back?
Professor Ryan points to two turning points every year: the clocks going back and the central heating going on. Outside, colder air holds less moisture. Inside, heating changes the humidity of the air. Both draw water out of the skin, a process dermatologists call transepidermal water loss.
She explains the skin barrier with a simple image. "Think of your skin barrier as lots of bricks, and between them, the mortar is your skin fats." In cold, dry conditions that mortar stops working as well, and moisture escapes more easily.
Everyone's skin gets drier at this time of year, but it is a bigger problem for anyone whose barrier is already compromised, including people with eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. "Rosacea can really go crazy over the winter months too," she said.
Are Hot Showers Bad for Your Skin in Winter?
Yes. On a dark morning a hot shower is tempting, but it strips moisture from the skin. "We don't like hot, hot showers, because again, that would dry out your skin," Professor Ryan said. Keep showers lukewarm and keep them short.
Her most useful tip comes straight after the shower. "One of the best things you can do is put your moisturiser on within two minutes of towel drying, when your skin is still a little bit damp. It really locks in the moisture." She recommends this for anyone with eczema or skin that gets drier in winter.
How Should You Change Your Skincare Routine for Autumn and Winter?
"Your skin needs things to be more gentle," Professor Ryan explained. Two changes make the biggest difference.
Swap soap for a soap substitute. Look for a wash or cream with a moisturising emollient built in. Professor Ryan likes people to use a simple emollient cream such as aqueous cream in the shower, and mentioned Elave by name. Elave Silcock's Base is a traditional emollient that works as both a soap substitute and a moisturiser, and is suitable from newborn. The Elave Body Wash, which is soap free, sulfate free and free from fragrance, is a gentle option if you prefer a wash.
Move to a richer moisturiser. In summer, a heavy cream can clog the skin and cause acne type breakouts. In winter, skin needs more nourishment. Professor Ryan suggests looking for moisturisers with a higher fat content and ingredients such as ceramides and glycerin, which help lock moisture in. EltaMD Barrier Renewal Complex is formulated to support a dry or compromised skin barrier.
Why Does Skin Get Drier as You Get Older?
"From your 40s on, your skin starts to lose the lipid layer in it," Professor Ryan said. Women who are perimenopausal often notice a big shift. Into your 60s, 70s and 80s, skin becomes drier still, especially on the lower legs and back, so those areas need extra attention through the colder months.
Can Scented Candles Irritate Your Skin?
They can, for people with an allergy to fragrance. Many people with allergic contact dermatitis to fragrance know to avoid perfume but still have diffusers or scented candles at home. Professor Ryan sees patients who cannot work out why they keep getting the same rash on the face and neck, where clothes do not cover the skin.
If you keep getting a rash and nothing in your skincare has changed, home fragrance is worth considering as the cause.
How Can Parents Help a Child's Eczema in Winter?
"It's the hardest time of year for parents of kids who have eczema," Professor Ryan said. "It gets so much worse in the winter months."
Her advice for parents:
- Use soap substitutes rather than soap
- Moisturise often. "You can't moisturise enough," she said, and some children need it twice a day
- Keep baths and showers short and lukewarm
- Consider a humidifier in the bedroom, especially if little hands and faces are affected
Locking in moisture matters because it can mean fewer flares that need treating with steroid ointment. For very dry or eczema prone skin, Elave Intensive Ointment is a rich emollient designed to support the skin barrier.
Does Drinking More Water Hydrate Your Skin?
No. This is one of the most common myths Professor Ryan hears. "My patients come in the whole time and say, my skin is so dull, I drink eight litres of water a day," she said. Unless someone is completely dehydrated, drinking more water does not change the skin. "More is not more."
Why Does Psoriasis Get Worse in Winter?
Psoriasis often worsens in winter for two reasons. The cold, dry environment and central heating dry out the skin, and there is far less UV light in Ireland. UV helps psoriasis in the majority of patients, which is why many people see their skin improve in summer or on a winter holiday somewhere sunny.
In dermatology, a very specific, medically supervised wavelength of UV called narrowband UVB is used to help some people with psoriasis. That is a completely different thing from a sunbed.
Are Sunbeds Ever Safe?
No. Sunbeds are never safe, in any season, for any reason. Professor Ryan was clear that this includes using them to manage psoriasis in winter.
She is concerned about a social media trend of people using sunbeds to keep up a tan through autumn and winter. "I have seen girls in their 20s die of metastatic melanoma," she said. "I cannot explain how dangerous it is."
Using a sunbed before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 75%. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with more than 11,000 cases diagnosed every year, according to the HSE.
"The only safe tan is a fake tan," Professor Ryan said.
Do You Need SPF in Autumn and Winter?
Yes. "I want my patients to use SPF every single day of the year," Professor Ryan said.
UV is not the only concern. Professor Ryan explained that high intensity visible light can also cause free radical damage linked to skin ageing and rosacea flares. A tinted facial sunscreen helps here, because the iron oxides in the tint help block visible light. "I love a tinted sunblock. It can make a big difference." EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Tinted is a lightweight, oil free daily SPF with a sheer tint.
Heading skiing this winter? Snow reflects up to 80% of UV, so pack your SPF, and reapply every time you lift your goggles.
What If a Dry Patch Won't Go Away?
A listener asked about a dry patch on her forehead that had not cleared in a year. Professor Ryan explained that scaly skin can be many things, so it is impossible to say without seeing it. A small crusty spot that does not go away however much moisturiser is used can sometimes be a precancerous lesion called an actinic keratosis.
Her advice is simple: if something does not go away, get it checked by your GP. "Our GPs in Ireland are really, really good at dermatology," she said, and they will refer on if they are concerned.
Should You Take Vitamin D in Winter?
Professor Ryan, who has researched vitamin D, says yes. "Most Irish people are vitamin D deficient throughout the winter months. From October to April, take your supplementary vitamin D." Your pharmacist or GP can advise on the right supplement for you.
Professor Ryan's Autumn Skin Checklist
- Keep showers short and lukewarm
- Swap soap for a soap substitute
- Use a richer moisturiser with ceramides or glycerin
- Moisturise within two minutes of towel drying
- Wear a tinted SPF every day of the year
- Never use a sunbed
- Take vitamin D from October to April
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my skin so dry in autumn?
Colder air outside holds less moisture and central heating dries out the air indoors. Both increase water loss through the skin and weaken the skin barrier, which is why skin often feels drier from the time the clocks go back.
When should I apply moisturiser after a shower?
Within two minutes of towel drying, while the skin is still slightly damp. Professor Caitriona Ryan says this helps lock in moisture and is especially useful for eczema and winter dryness.
Do I need a different moisturiser in winter?
Many people benefit from a richer moisturiser in winter. Look for one with a higher fat content and ingredients such as ceramides and glycerin, which help hold moisture in the skin.
Do I need to wear SPF in winter in Ireland?
Yes. Professor Caitriona Ryan recommends SPF every day of the year. A tinted facial sunscreen also helps protect against visible light, thanks to the iron oxides in the tint.
Can sunbeds help psoriasis in winter?
No. Sunbeds are never safe and significantly increase the risk of melanoma. The light treatment used in dermatology for psoriasis is a specific, medically supervised wavelength of UV, which is completely different from a sunbed.
This article is based on Professor Caitriona Ryan's interview with Anna Geary on Supercharged, RTÉ Radio 1.
