A dry skin in winter Almost everyone knows the feeling: your skin feels tight, flakes on your legs, or itches as soon as the heating comes on. The good news is that with a few smart habits and the right products, you can keep your skin soft and supple all season long. In this guide, you will learn why your skin dries out, which 9 tips really help, and how to build a simple winter routine with argan oil and other Moroccan skincare products.
Short answer for dry skin in winter: Shower briefly and with lukewarm water, apply a nourishing oil or cream to your skin within a few minutes of showering, scrub no more than once a week, and do not forget your hands, feet, and lips. Pure argan oil is a popular choice for this, as it is rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids.
Last updated: October 28, 2026, by the Be Artisan Benelux team.
Table of contents
Why do you get dry skin in the winter?
In winter, several factors combine to put your skin barrier under pressure. Cold outdoor air contains little moisture, and central heating makes the indoor air even drier. As a result, water evaporates from your skin more quickly. Harsh winds, sudden temperature changes, and long, hot showers also cause your skin to lose natural oils.
The skin barrier, your skin's outer protective layer, retains moisture and wards off irritants. If this barrier is disrupted, your skin feels tight, may start to flake, and your hands, shins, elbows, and lips in particular quickly become chapped. The most common causes listed:
- Cold, dry outdoor air and biting wind
- Heating that dries out the indoor air
- Hot showers and long baths
- Cleanse and scrub too often or too roughly
- Too little fluid and healthy fats in your diet
Dry skin or dehydrated skin: what is the difference?
Dry skin is a skin type: your skin naturally produces little sebum and has a structural deficiency of fats (lipids). Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, has a temporary lack of moisture and can occur in any skin type, even oily skin. In winter, many people deal with both.
In practical terms, this means: dry skin needs nourishment in the form of oils and butters, while dehydrated skin needs moisture that is retained well. A light hydrating cream, followed by a nourishing oil as the final step, works for both. This way, you can care for dry skin without complicating your routine.
9 tips for dry skin in winter
- Shower lukewarm and short. Hot water washes the natural oils out of your skin. Limit yourself to 5 to 10 minutes and choose a lukewarm temperature.
- Cleanse gently. For daily use, use a mild shower gel, such as ours. shower gels with argan oilBlack soap is a powerful cleanser that is best used once a week during a hammam ritual at home.
- Apply within three minutes after showering. Your skin absorbs care better as long as it is still slightly damp. Gently pat yourself dry instead of rubbing.
- Combine moisture and nutrition. First apply a body lotion or Berber milk Apply and finish with a few drops of argan oil. The oil helps retain moisture in your skin.
- Scrub gently and not too often. Once a week is enough. Removing dead skin cells helps, but scrubbing too often or too hard actually makes your skin more sensitive.
- Care for hands, feet, and lips separately. These are the areas that dry out the fastest. Use a rich hand cream, a foot cream, and a lip balm that you keep on hand throughout the day.
- Ensure comfortable humidity. Do not set the heating too high, ventilate daily, and consider using a humidifier or a bowl of water near the radiator.
- Eat and drink for your skin. Sufficient water and healthy fats from sources such as fatty fish, nuts, and olive oil support your skin from within.
- Protect your skin outdoors. Wear gloves and a scarf against the biting wind, and use a cream with sun protection on your face during the day, because there is UV radiation even in winter.
Winter routine with argan oil: morning, evening, and weekly
This is what a simple approach to dry skin in winter looks like: short, consistent, and with products you actually use.
Morning routine
Cleanse your face with lukewarm water or just water, apply a light day cream, and add 2 to 3 drops of pure argan oil to slightly damp skin. Finish with a nourishing lip balm, such as ours. Orange Blossom Lip Balm.
Evening routine
Remove makeup and dirt with a mild remover, for example ours Two-phase micellar make-up remover with Argan oilThen apply a richer Soothing Night Cream and optionally a few drops of argan oil. Give your hands a layer hand cream with argan oil and massage your feet with foot cream with argan oil and eucalyptus. You can read more about facial care in our guide to a morning and evening routine.
Weekly pampering moment
Schedule a hammam ritual once a week: steam your skin open under a warm shower, massage Moroccan black soap in, scrub gently with a scrub glove and then immediately apply Berber milk or argan oil. Do you only want to exfoliate gently? Then the Cacao & Argan Body Scrub A beautiful, nourishing choice.
Why argan oil is so good for dry winter skin
Argan oil originates from Southwest Morocco and has been used there for skin and hair for generations. That is why argan oil is a popular, nourishing choice for dry skin in the winter. The oil contains vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids, absorbs quite quickly, and leaves a soft, non-sticky finish. As a result, it can be used on the face, body, hands, cuticles, and dry hair ends. You can read all the benefits in our 5 benefits of pure argan oilDo you choose 100% pure argan oil, then you have one bottle at home for all these applications.
Are you looking for a lighter oil or do you want to vary? Then the pure cactus seed oil, the sweet almond oil and the avocado oil also great choices. You can read about the difference between two popular oils in argan oil versus almond oil, and you can find more about cactus seed oil in this article.
Which product helps with what? The overview
| Problem | Recommended product | Usage tip |
|---|---|---|
| Dry, tight facial skin | 100% Pure Argan Oil or Soothing Night Cream | Nourishes and retains moisture |
| Dry, flaky legs and arms | Berber Milk, Argan Oil, and Amber Musk | Apply to damp skin after showering |
| Raw, dry hands | Hand cream with Argan oil and Neroli | Several times a day, also before going to sleep |
| Hard, dry heels | Foot cream with Argan oil and Eucalyptus | Every evening, with socks on for extra effect |
| chapped lips | Orange Blossom Lip Balm | Carry it with you all day |
| Dull skin due to dead skin cells | Cacao & Argan Body Scrub | At most once a week |
When should you see the doctor for dry skin in the winter?
Natural care works well for ordinary dry winter skin. If your skin remains red, inflamed, or severely itchy despite a good routine, or if you have patches that do not heal or keep recurring, it is advisable to consult your GP or a dermatologist. This also applies if you suspect eczema or psoriasis. Cosmetics never replace medical treatment. You can find more background information on dry skin at the Dutch Society for Dermatology and Venereology.
Frequently asked questions about dry skin in winter
What is best for dry skin in winter?
A combination of showering with lukewarm water, applying a nourishing lotion or oil immediately after showering, and gently scrubbing no more than once a week. A rich cream for hands and feet and a lip balm complete the routine.
Is argan oil good for dry skin?
Yes. Argan oil contains vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids and is widely used to keep dry skin soft and supple. Use 100% pure argan oil, preferably on slightly damp skin, so that it absorbs well.
How much argan oil do I use for my face?
Usually, 2 to 3 drops are sufficient. Briefly warm the oil between your palms and gently press it into your skin. Use a little more for the body, hands, and feet.
How often can I scrub my skin in the winter?
Once a week is sufficient for most skin types. For sensitive or very dry skin, you can also opt for once every two weeks and always finish with oil or cream.
Can I use black soap every day?
Black soap is an intensive cleanser. For dry skin, we recommend using it at most once a week, for example during a hammam ritual. For daily use, choose a mild shower gel.
Why do my legs itch in the winter?
Dry air and hot showers cause your skin to dry out faster, which can cause itching, especially on the shins. Shower with lukewarm water and apply cream immediately after showering. If the itching persists, see your doctor.
Ready to care for your dry skin in winter? Discover our complete collection for body, face and oils in the webshopWe ship within Europe.
