If you notice psoriasis and eczema getting worse in winter every year, you’re not imagining it. Both psoriasis and eczema tend to flare more in cold weather, and there are a few specific reasons why, most of which come down to how winter dries out your skin’s barrier.
Dry Air Pulls Moisture Out of Your Skin
Cold outdoor air holds less moisture than warm air. Then indoor heating dries it out even further, often dropping indoor humidity lower than a desert.
For skin that already has a compromised barrier, whether from psoriasis or eczema, this matters more than it would for typical skin. We’ve covered how eczema is fundamentally a skin barrier problem, and dry winter air pulls moisture out through the gaps in that barrier faster than skin can replace it. Psoriasis-affected skin loses moisture more easily too, since the rapid, disorganized skin cell turnover that drives psoriasis doesn’t build a normal, moisture-sealing outer layer the way healthy skin does.
Hot Showers Feel Good But Make It Worse
A hot shower on a cold day feels great, but hot water strips away natural oils faster than warm or lukewarm water does. For skin that’s already struggling to hold onto moisture, that’s one more thing working against it. Long, hot showers are one of the most common, and most avoidable, winter flare triggers.
Less Sunlight Means Less Vitamin D
Shorter days and less time outdoors mean less natural sunlight exposure, and sunlight is how your body makes most of its vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a role in regulating immune activity in the skin, which is part of why both conditions often improve in summer and worsen in winter. This isn’t a reason to start high-dose vitamin D supplements on your own; talk to your doctor if you’re wondering whether a supplement makes sense for you.
Hats, Scarves, and Sweaters Add Friction
Winter clothing adds a layer of mechanical irritation that summer clothing doesn’t. Wool sweaters and scarves can rub against already-irritated skin. Static electricity, which is much more common in dry winter air, can also irritate skin and scalp. None of this causes psoriasis or eczema on its own, but for skin that’s already flaring, it’s one more source of aggravation.
Scalp-Specific Winter Triggers
If you deal with scalp psoriasis or scalp eczema specifically (here’s how to tell them apart if you’re not sure which you have), winter adds a few extra complications:
- Hats trap heat and sweat against the scalp, which can irritate already-inflamed skin.
- Hot water on the scalp in the shower is just as drying as hot water on the rest of your body.
- Static and dry hair from indoor heating can make itching worse and more noticeable.
What Actually Helps
- Run a humidifier, especially in the bedroom where you spend the most consecutive hours. Getting indoor humidity back up toward 40-50% makes a real difference.
- Switch to lukewarm showers, and keep them shorter during flare-prone months.
- Moisturize within a few minutes of bathing, while skin is still damp, to help lock in moisture rather than letting it evaporate. A cream formulated specifically for your condition tends to do more here than a generic lotion — Dermasolve’s Psoriasis Cream or Dermasolve’s Eczema Cream, depending on which you’re managing, are both built to address the barrier issues winter makes worse.
- Choose softer, breathable layers where you can, and consider a thin liner layer under wool if you can’t avoid it entirely.
- Keep up your treatment routine consistently through winter, rather than only reacting once a flare has already started.
When to See a Dermatologist
- Your usual routine stops working once winter hits
- Cracking, bleeding, or open skin develops
- Itching is disrupting your sleep
- You’re not sure whether what you’re seeing is a normal winter flare or something that needs a different treatment approach
A dermatologist can help you build a winter-specific plan before the season gets bad, rather than trying to catch up once a flare is already underway.
Mike Marenick is the founder of HealFast Skincare and holds the patent for his invention, Ovasome Technology, used in skincare formulations. He began developing skincare products after watching his mother manage psoriasis for decades, and has spent over twenty years formulating treatments for chronic skin conditions. His work has been featured on Home Shopping Network, in two national infomercials, and in more than 300 publications including Vogue, Newsweek, and Allure. He is not a medical doctor — always consult a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions.
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