Hey there! Shoshana Eisner here—Pharmacist, Skincare Nerd, and someone who definitely knows the pain of winter skin that feels more like sandpaper than silk. If your arms, legs, or anywhere else is throwing a tantrum this season, don’t worry—I’ve got your back (and the rest of your body too). Let’s talk about what’s really going on with your skin in winter and how to fix it with no fluff, no fuss—just science, smarts, and a little cheeky charm.
Cold air outside, dry heating inside—it’s a double whammy for your skin. These conditions suck moisture out of the air and out of your skin, leaving it tight, itchy, and begging for hydration. When your skin barrier is under attack, it can’t hold onto moisture like it normally does. And that, my friend, is how the winter skin saga begins.
1. Upgrade to a Richer Moisturiser
Winter calls for something a little more indulgent. Swap your lightweight lotions for a deeply hydrating body moisturiser packed with natural humectants like glycerin and emollients like shea butter. Think of it as cashmere for your skin—elegant, luxe, and oh-so-comforting.
Browse QED Skincare's decadently rich body moisturisers.
2. Minimise Heater Use
Heaters are like sneaky skin villains—so comfy, yet so drying. Instead, rug up in breathable layers like cotton, bamboo, or wool (cashmere if you're feeling fancy). And here’s a hot tip—wearing good socks can make your whole body feel warmer. No heater needed!
3. Don't moisturise dead skin cells
Sorry, but they are gone. In winter, (especially if we have been neglecting our skin), skin cells tend to die off faster, and accumulate on the surface of your skin. Which is what gives winter skin a dull appearance. The truth is when you apply moisturiser to these dead skin cells, they block absorption and hydration to the healthy skin cells underneath. And thus the cycle of dryness continues, despite you lathering yourself with moisturiser. To halt the cycle of waste, give your skin a good exfoliation twice a week in winter. Your reward will be dewy, soft and happier skin.
Click here to learn more about The Body Exfoliatior
4. Patch Test New Products
Even if you’re a skincare daredevil in summer, winter skin is a whole different beast. Always patch test—better a tiny reaction than a full-body flare-up, right? Click here to learn how to patch test.
5. Use a Low-Foaming Body Cleanser
Cleansing shouldn't be a strip show (and I mean for your skin barrier). Say no to drying soaps and yes to a gentle, low-foaming cleanser like QED's The Body Cleanser. It gets the grime off without robbing your skin of its protective oils. Win-win!
Click here to learn more about The Body Cleanser
6. Shorten Showers & Use Lukewarm Water
I know, I know—nothing beats a steaming hot shower in winter. But if you want soft skin instead of a flaky mess, keep it short and lukewarm. Your skin will thank you (eventually).
When having a bath, make sure you add a protective, hydrating bath oil. Click here to browse The Bath Oil.
So there you have it—your cheeky, science-backed cheat sheet to surviving winter without turning into a scaly lizard. With the right products and a few smart tweaks, soft, happy skin is totally within reach.
Stay warm, stay cheeky, and stay glowing!
– Shoshana Eisner, Pharmacist & Founder of QED Skincare
