Your skin changes with the seasons because weather shifts disrupt its natural protective barrier, which keeps out irritants and holds in moisture.[1][4] This barrier, made of lipids, ceramides, and natural oils, struggles to keep up when humidity, temperature, and other factors swing quickly.[1][2]
In winter, cold dry air outside and hot indoor heating pull moisture from your skin fast.[2][4] This leads to higher transepidermal water loss, where skin loses water quicker than it can replace it.[4] You might see dryness, flaking, redness, itchiness, or even cracks, especially on hands and lips.[2][4] Conditions like eczema and psoriasis often flare up more because the weakened barrier lets irritants in deeper.[5][6] Hot showers or harsh soaps make it worse by stripping protective oils.[2]
Spring brings fluctuating temperatures and rising humidity after winter’s chill.[1] Skin that got used to dry air now faces higher moisture levels, which can cause sudden sensitivity or breakouts as oil production adjusts.[1] Products that worked fine before might irritate now.
Summer ramps up heat, UV rays, and humidity.[1] Pores enlarge, oiliness increases, and pollution sticks more easily, leading to congestion or shine.[1] Sweat and sun stress the skin, dilating blood vessels and sparking inflammation.[1][3]
Fall drops humidity while heaters kick on indoors.[1] Skin feels tight and rough as it loses summer’s moisture, with flare-ups for those prone to dryness.[1] Temperature swings between cool outdoors and warm inside make blood vessels expand and contract, showing redness if the barrier is off.[3]
Hormones play a role too, especially in winter.[3] Shorter days mess with sleep and raise cortisol, a stress hormone that boosts inflammation and breakouts.[3][5] You drink and sweat less, so dehydration hits harder, making skin produce extra oil as defense.[3] Stress from holidays or routine changes adds to it.[3][5]
Humidity swings hit everyone.[1][8] Low levels dry out skin by 25 to 30 percent in days, while high ones clog oily types.[1] Cold tightens blood flow, slowing repairs, and heat speeds oil and swelling.[1]
Kids feel it more since their skin barrier is thinner.[7] Overall, these shifts create stress like any change, tweaking pH, immunity, and how skin fights bacteria.[1][5]
Sources
https://skinsureclinic.com/why-your-skin-acts-up-during-season-change/
https://www.sagemed.co/blog/winter-rash-a-seasonal-skin-concern
https://www.aboutfaceaesthetics.com/winter-hormonal-skin-changes-south-carolina
https://trilliumclinic.com/winter-skin-care-a-dermatologists-guide/
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/rysfzczmze
https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2025/12/why-winter-perfect-season-skin-treatments
https://fairhopepeds.com/news/winter-skincare-tips-for-kids-managing-dry-skin-eczema-and-seasonal-changes/
https://gaurisatva.com/blogs/wellness/how-weather-changes-affect-the-body
