Why Winter Changes Your Skin — and What Actually Helps

A thoughtful, preventative approach to skin quality during the colder months

Dr Stein injecting botox into her patients forehead

Winter has a way of revealing what the skin has been quietly holding together all year.

Patients often tell me they feel as though their skin “changed overnight” once the colder months arrive. In reality, winter doesn’t create new problems — it exposes vulnerabilities. Subtle dehydration becomes visible. Fine lines feel more pronounced. Skin that once looked luminous may appear flatter or less resilient. Not because anything went wrong, but because the environment shifted.

At Stein Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery in Winston-Salem, I see this pattern every winter. Cold air holds very little moisture. Indoor heat continuously pulls hydration from the skin. Wind compromises the barrier designed to protect it. Over time, this combination weakens the skin’s ability to retain water and repair itself. What many women experience as dryness is often a deeper functional issue: the skin is no longer being supported in the way it needs to be.

Winter Skin Care as Preventative Care

This is why I encourage my patients to think of winter skincare not as a cosmetic adjustment, but as preventative care. Much like strength training protects bone density or nutrition supports long-term health, intentional winter skincare preserves skin quality. It slows the visible effects of aging by reinforcing the systems that keep skin strong, supple, and luminous over time.

For many women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, winter is when underlying changes in skin quality become more noticeable — not because aging suddenly accelerates, but because the skin has less reserve to compensate for environmental stress.

The Limits of “Heavier” Products

One of the most common misconceptions I see is the belief that heavier products alone solve winter skin concerns. While richer creams can temporarily soften the surface, hydration must exist within the skin itself.

Skin that is properly hydrated reflects light differently. It moves differently. It holds structure better. Without internal hydration and barrier support, no amount of surface cream can restore what is missing.

This distinction is especially important in winter, when skin is more vulnerable and less forgiving.

Why Medical-Grade Skincare Matters in Winter

This is where professional-grade skincare becomes essential. Medical-grade formulations are designed to work with the skin’s biology — not simply improve how it looks for the day.

I trust Obagi® because its approach is grounded in research, consistency, and long-term skin health. These formulations are designed to strengthen the skin barrier, support cellular turnover, and help the skin retain hydration over time — without unnecessary complexity or trends.

For many patients, adjusting their skincare regimen seasonally — rather than layering more and more products — leads to healthier, more resilient skin.

When Skin Needs Deeper Support

Even with excellent topical care, there are times when the skin needs deeper support. As we age, the skin’s natural ability to maintain hydration declines, and environmental stress compounds this process.

In these situations, treatments that work within the skin — rather than on top of it — can be meaningful. Skinvive by Juvéderm® reflects a shift in aesthetic medicine that I value deeply: focusing on skin quality, not alteration. It is designed to improve hydration and smoothness from within, helping the skin maintain softness and luminosity through challenging seasons like winter.

For the right patient, this isn’t enhancement — it’s restoration.

Laser Treatments and Winter Timing

Winter is also an ideal season for many laser treatments. Because sun exposure is reduced and patients tend to spend more time indoors, the skin is better protected during the healing process. This lower UV exposure decreases the risk of post-treatment pigmentation and allows the skin to recover more predictably.

Laser treatments work by creating controlled injury within the skin to stimulate collagen production, improve texture, address pigmentation, and refine overall skin quality. During winter months, the skin is often better positioned to respond to this process — provided treatments are thoughtfully selected and properly timed.

That said, lasers are not one-size-fits-all. Skin type, lifestyle, and baseline skin health matter. A personalized consultation is essential to determine which laser treatments including resurfacing lasers like CO2/Erbium (for deep wrinkles/scars), hybrid lasers like Halo(for tone/texture/aging), and light-based therapies like BBL/IPL (for redness/spots) are appropriate and how to prepare and care for the skin before and after treatment.  

When performed with intention, winter laser treatments are not about dramatic change, but about strengthening the skin’s foundation so it emerges healthier, smoother, and more resilient in the months ahead.

Caring for Lips and Hands in Winter

The lips and hands are often the first areas to show signs of winter stress. Unlike other areas of the face, they have fewer oil glands and a thinner protective barrier, making them especially vulnerable to dehydration, cracking, and irritation.

Consistent use of nourishing lip treatments, protective gloves outdoors, and rich hand creams can make a meaningful difference. For some patients, subtle in-office treatments like hyaluronic acid injections may also be appropriate to restore hydration, smoothness, and overall skin quality in these areas.

As with all winter skin care, the goal is not overcorrection, but support — preserving comfort, function, and a healthy appearance through the colder months.

A Thoughtful Philosophy on Skin Care

What I find most compelling is that women who approach skincare this way often approach life similarly. They value discernment. They choose quality over convenience. They understand that longevity comes from consistency, not urgency.

Winter becomes less about doing more — and more about supporting what already exists. Strengthening the foundation rather than reacting to surface changes.

Your skin does not need to be chased, corrected, or overworked this season. It needs to be understood.

When you care for it with patience and expertise, it responds — not immediately, but beautifully over time.

Supporting Your Skin This Winter

If you have questions about how to support your skin through the winter months in a way that aligns with your values and long-term goals, those conversations are always welcome.

Thoughtful care begins with thoughtful guidance.