Winter Is Coming: Why Your Skin Still Needs SPF

As winter approaches, our skin begins to experience a very different environment.

Cold temperatures, wind, rain, lower humidity and indoor heating can all contribute to dryness and sensitivity. Moving repeatedly between cold outdoor air and warm, heated rooms can be particularly challenging for the skin barrier.

In colder and drier climates, these effects can be even more noticeable. And during the winter months, many of us spend more time indoors, where condensation, dampness and mould can become additional environmental concerns. While the strongest evidence linking damp and mould exposure is related to respiratory and allergic health, research has also reported associations with certain skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis.

As a doctor, my approach to winter skincare is relatively simple:

Support the skin barrier, maintain hydration and continue protecting the skin from environmental damage.

And there is one part of that routine that is often forgotten once summer is over: SPF.

Why does winter make skin drier?

The skin barrier has an important job. It helps prevent excessive water loss from the skin while protecting us from the external environment.

When temperatures fall and humidity decreases, the skin can lose moisture more easily. Indoor heating can contribute further by creating a drier environment.

This can result in familiar winter skin concerns:

• tightness after cleansing
• dryness or flaking
• rougher texture
• redness or irritation
• increased sensitivity
• dry hands and lips

Dermatologists commonly recommend adapting skincare during colder weather by using gentle cleansing and moisturising regularly. Richer creams can be particularly helpful when the skin becomes very dry.

This is also why I don't believe winter is necessarily the time to keep adding more and more active ingredients.

When the skin barrier is already under stress, sometimes less is more.

Hydration should be the foundation

When skin becomes dry in winter, it can be tempting to reach immediately for stronger exfoliants or multiple treatment products.

But if the skin is already irritated, this can sometimes make the problem worse.

A good winter routine should start with the basics.

Cleanse gently
Avoid unnecessarily stripping the skin. Very hot water and harsh cleansers can increase dryness and discomfort.

Hydrate
Ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid can help attract and retain water in the skin.

Moisturise
A good moisturiser helps reduce water loss and supports the skin barrier. You may find that your skin prefers a richer formulation during the colder months.

Protect
And in the morning, don't forget your SPF.

Why does SPF matter when it's cold?

Many people naturally associate sunscreen with summer, holidays and warm weather.

But temperature and UV radiation are not the same thing.

A day can be cold, windy or cloudy and still involve UV exposure. The amount of UV radiation reaching the skin depends on a number of factors, including latitude, season, altitude, cloud cover and reflection from the surrounding environment.

UV levels are generally lower during winter in many temperate regions, but UV radiation does not simply disappear when the temperature drops.

This is why I prefer to make daily sun protection a simple skincare habit rather than something we associate exclusively with summer.

We don't always know how much time we will spend outdoors. We travel between different climates, spend time at different altitudes and may suddenly find ourselves outdoors for much longer than expected.

Consistency makes sun protection easier.

Cold, cloudy and snowy doesn't mean UV-free

Cloud cover can reduce UV radiation, but it does not eliminate it.

Snow can make the situation very different.

Fresh snow is highly reflective and can substantially increase UV exposure. The WHO notes that fresh snow can almost double a person's UV exposure.

This is particularly important when skiing, snowboarding, hiking or spending extended periods outdoors in snowy environments.

And remember that winter clothing does not necessarily cover everything.

The face, ears, neck and hands can remain exposed while the rest of the body is protected by coats, scarves and layers.

What about altitude?

Altitude is another factor that is easy to overlook.

As elevation increases, there is less atmosphere above us to absorb UV radiation. WHO guidance states that UV levels increase by approximately 10% for every 1,000 metres of altitude, although actual exposure depends on the wider environmental conditions.

This is particularly relevant when travelling to mountainous or high-altitude destinations.

You could be surrounded by snow, wearing several layers and feeling absolutely freezing — while your exposed facial skin is receiving considerably more UV radiation than you might expect.

Cold does not mean UV-free.

My winter skincare approach

I don't believe winter skincare needs to become complicated.

For most people, I would focus on four simple principles:

1. Cleanse gently. Avoid unnecessarily stripping the skin.
2. Hydrate. Use hydrating ingredients to help maintain moisture in the skin.
3. Support the skin barrier. Use a moisturiser appropriate for your skin and consider a richer texture if your skin becomes particularly dry.
4. Protect. Make broad-spectrum SPF part of your morning routine.

Sun protection should also go beyond sunscreen. Hats, protective clothing and sunglasses are useful additional measures, particularly when spending prolonged periods outdoors or in environments with increased UV exposure.

Winter is a good time to listen to your skin

Your skin does not necessarily need more products simply because winter has arrived.

It may need different priorities.

If your skin is dry or irritated, focus on restoring comfort and supporting the barrier before introducing more active treatments.

If you are spending time outdoors, remember that the temperature outside doesn't tell you how much UV radiation is reaching your skin.

And if you are travelling to higher altitudes or snowy environments, be particularly mindful of increased UV exposure.

There is no single "winter skin" routine that works for everyone. A damp, windy winter in a temperate climate creates a different environment from a very dry continental winter. A snowy mountain destination presents different UV conditions from a rainy day at sea level.

Good skincare means understanding your environment and adapting accordingly.

The winter essentials

• Hydrate your skin.
• Support your skin barrier.
• Protect exposed skin from the elements.
• And keep SPF in your morning routine.

Summer may be the season when we think most about sunscreen, but protecting our skin shouldn't have a season.

Winter is coming. Your skin still needs protection.

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This article is intended for general skincare education and does not replace personalised medical or dermatological advice.