Life & Soul Lifestyle Beauty . Fashion . Health . Life
As we move into the colder months, the cosy warmth of central heating becomes a necessity but while it keeps us comfortable, it can be challenging for our skin. Heated indoor air often lacks humidity, pulling moisture away from our skin and leaving it feeling tight, dry, and sometimes even irritated. This season, finding the right central heating dry skin remedies is essential to maintaining a healthy, dewy complexion despite the drying effects of indoor air.
From hydrating products to smart skincare practices, there are effective ways to protect our skin and keep it looking its best. Let’s explore some of the best strategies for overcoming the effects of indoor air quality on skin and preventing dehydration with skincare for central heating.
When central heating warms the air inside, it simultaneously reduces humidity levels, creating a dry environment that can pull moisture from your skin. This effect is particularly noticeable during winter when our skin’s natural oils are already low due to colder outdoor temperatures. For many, this can lead to irritation, flakiness, and tightness, leaving the skin feeling uncomfortable and dehydrated.
So if you’ll be spending prolonged hours in heated spaces this season, it’s important to have central heating dry skin remedies to combat the effects. Dry, heated air acts like a sponge, soaking up moisture from any exposed skin and weakening the skin’s natural barrier. People with dry or sensitive skin types often experience these symptoms more acutely, but even those with oilier skin can find themselves reaching for extra hydration during this season.
Let’s explore some top skincare for central heating remedies and easy adjustments you can make to your daily routine, to combat the effects of dry indoor air so you can maintain a healthy glow.
Hydration is key
We’re sure this doesn’t come as a surprise, it usually is when it comes to skincare. To protect against central heating’s drying effects, it’s crucial to incorporate deeply hydrating products that can lock in moisture and replenish your skin’s barrier. Adding a few targeted products into your routine can make all the difference. Try the following:
Moisturising Balms and Creams
One of the most effective central heating dry skin remedies is to use a rich moisturiser. Go for balms or creams that contain ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin. These ingredients help to reinforce your skin’s moisture barrier and attract hydration from the air (or even from a humidifier nearby). Layering a hydrating serum under your moisturiser will enhance these effects and give your skin an added moisture boost.
Recommended
Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream
Why we love it: This gel moisturiser is packed with three types of hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and plump the skin. Its lightweight texture makes it ideal for layering, providing an instant boost of moisture without feeling heavy. It’s perfect for tackling central heating dryness.
L’Occitane Immortelle Précieuse Cream
Why we love it: Enriched with immortelle extract which is known for its anti-aging properties, this cream deeply hydrates and revitalises the skin, helping to combat dryness and dullness in colder months.
Verdilab Natural Moisturiser Probiotic Cream
Why we love it: With a combination of probiotics and hyaluronic acid to support the skin’s microbiome and moisture barrier; this cream is a brilliant option for those looking to keep their skin balanced, hydrated, and resilient against the effects of dry indoor air.
Tata Harper Water-Lock Moisturiser
Why we love it: This innovative moisturiser uses moisture-locking technology to provide long-lasting hydration. With a blend of hyaluronic acid and natural emollients, it keeps skin dewy and smooth, offering a protective shield against winter dryness.
FILORGA Hydra-Hyal Mattifying Anti-Ageing Plumping Cream
Why we love it: This cream combines intense hydration with a mattifying finish, making it ideal for those seeking balanced, plump skin. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, it visibly smooths fine lines and restores elasticity, while its lightweight, non-greasy texture controls shine.
SkinSense Advanced Overnight Leave-On Mask
Why we love it: This powerful overnight mask delivers intense hydration while you rest. It’s deeply nourishing and revives tired skin. Formulated with skin-repairing ingredients, it works through the night to leave you with a soft, supple complexion by morning – perfect for countering the drying effects of central heating.
Face Oils
Face oils are an excellent way to add an extra layer of hydration and protection to your skin, particularly in the winter. Oils like jojoba, rosehip, and argan can seal in the hydration from your moisturiser, creating a barrier against the dry indoor air. These oils also help prevent water loss from your skin, keeping it plump and dewy. Check out our recommended hydrating face oils for autumn and winter here
Humidifiers
Also, investing in a good humidifier can dramatically improve indoor air quality and keep your skin from becoming too dry. Place a humidifier in rooms where you spend the most time, like your bedroom or office and aim for an indoor humidity level of 40-60% to counteract the drying effects of central heating, this makes it easier for your skin to retain moisture.
Recommended:
Dreo Smart Humidifier
Philips Air Humidifier 2000 Series
Homvana Humidifier
Smart Skincare Practices for Heated Indoor Spaces
While using the right products is key, a few simple adjustments to your skincare routine can make a big difference in the effort to tackle the effects of central heating. Here are a few to try:
Switch to Gentle Cleansers
Avoid cleansers that strip the skin of its natural oils, as this can make it more vulnerable to dryness. Opt for cream or oil-based cleansers that maintain moisture without disrupting your skin’s barrier. This helps preserve the skin’s natural defences.
Recommended
Meisani Vitamin E-raser Cleansing Oil
Why we love it: This nourishing cleansing oil is rich in vitamin E, helping to dissolve impurities while maintaining the skin’s moisture balance. Perfect for dry or sensitive skin, it removes makeup without stripping moisture, leaving your skin soft and hydrated.
Epaderm Cream
Why we love it: Originally developed for eczema-prone skin, this multipurpose cream doubles as a gentle cleanser and moisturiser. It’s free from fragrances and irritants, making it ideal for those needing an ultra-gentle yet hydrating cleanse during winter.
Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser
Why we love it: This cleanser is known for its exfoliating yet hydrating properties. It uses apricot microspheres to polish and refresh the skin, making it a great option for maintaining a soft, radiant complexion while combating central heating dryness.
Suqqu Vialume The Wash
Why we love it: This luxurious cleanser transforms into a rich, foamy lather that hydrates and purifies when it comes in contact with water. Infused with nourishing botanicals, it’s perfect for restoring moisture and leaving skin feeling pampered and soft.
Lixirskin Electrogel Cleanser
Why we love it: This unique cleanser uses negatively charged electrogel to attract dirt and impurities from skin. It’s gentle yet cleanses thoroughly to leave skin hydrated, refreshed, and ready to absorb moisture without disrupting its natural balance.
L’Occitane Oil to Milk Cleanser with Immortelle & Calendula
Why we love it: This oil-to-milk formula is infused with immortelle and calendula extracts, making it a gentle yet effective cleanser that hydrates as it cleans. It’s perfect for winter, providing a soft and smooth feel to dry, sensitive skin.
Avoid Long, Hot Showers
Who doesn’t love long hot baths or showers this time of year? But sadly, high temperatures can dehydrate the skin and break down its moisture barrier. So stick to lukewarm showers and use hydrating body washes to prevent additional dryness. Keeping shower time short will help your skin retain moisture, especially in dry, heated air.
Recommended
Method Wind Down Body Wash
Why we love it: This luxurious cleanser transforms into a rich, foamy lather that hydrates and purifies skin. It’s in nfused with nourishing botanicals, making it perfect for restoring moisture and leaving skin feeling pampered and soft.
L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil
Why we love it: Enriched with almond oil from Provence, This luxurious shower oil transforms into a silky, milky lather upon contact with water to gently cleanse and hydrate skin. The lightweight formula leaves skin feeling soft, supple, and delicately scented with a warm almond fragrance.
Erbario Toscano Bacche Di Tuscia Energising Shower Bath
Why we love it: This luxurious shower bath transforms your daily routine into a revitalising experience. Infused with the rich, woody aroma of Bacche di Tuscia, it energises the senses while gently cleansing the skin. Its hydrating formula leaves your skin soft, refreshed, and subtly scented.
Layering Skincare
Layering your skincare products creates a protective barrier that traps hydration. After cleansing, apply a hydrating serum, follow up with a rich moisturiser, and then finish with a face oil. This combination helps shield your skin from moisture loss, keeping it hydrated throughout the day, even in dry indoor air.
These small adjustments, combined with effective skincare for central heating, should help you maintain a comfortable and hydrated complexion all season long.
Recommended
Verdilab Life & Glow Rose Serum
Why we love it: This serum combines the hydrating power of rose and hyaluronic acid to deliver moisture and radiance in one step. Its lightweight formula is perfect for layering, giving skin a dewy glow even in the driest indoor air.
Lixirskin Skin Supplement Essential Lipids
Why we love it: This lipid-rich serum is ideal for strengthening the skin’s barrier. Its blend of essential lipids helps to lock in hydration, keeping skin soft and protected from the drying effects of central heating.
BeautyPro Hyaluronic Acid Daily Serum
Why we love it: Known for its simple, effective formula, this serum delivers a burst of hydration with pure hyaluronic acid. It’s gentle and lightweight, making it a great addition to any winter skincare routine for an extra layer of moisture.
Tru.Hyal 100% Hyaluronic Acid Capsules
Why we love it: This unique serum offers a concentrated dose of hyaluronic acid in capsule form, allowing for precise hydration. Each capsule gives skin a hydrating boost 100 hours after application, making it perfect for days when your skin needs a little extra care.
Institut Esthederm Age Proteom Advanced Serum
Why we love it: This advanced serum is designed to protect skin from environmental stressors while delivering deep hydration. It’s a great choice for mature skin, helping to keep it plump and radiant in winter’s drying indoor air.
Jurlique Herbal Recovery Bi-Phase Serum
Why we love it: With its dual-phase formula, this serum combines oil and water-based ingredients to deliver intense hydration and nourishment. It’s an ideal pick for revitalising dry, dull skin, giving it a fresh, healthy glow.
Quick Skin Fixes for Extra-Dry Days
Let’s face it, even with a strong skincare routine, there may be days when your skin needs an extra boost of hydration. Here are a few quick and effective central heating dry skin remedies to keep on hand:
Hydrating Face Mists
This is a handbag essential this time of year. Keeping a hydrating face mist nearby helps refresh your skin throughout the day. Look for mists with ingredients like rose water, aloe vera, or glycerin, which help to replenish moisture on contact. A quick spritz can revive and hydrate while providing a soothing effect against dry indoor air.
Recommended
Jurlique Calendula Redness Rescue Calming Mist
Why we love it: Formulated with calendula and soothing botanicals, this mist reduces redness and irritation. It’s a gentle solution for skin stressed by indoor heating and delivers hydration while calming any signs of irritation.
Pure Earth Sambac Botanical Mist
Why we love it: This luxurious mist combines botanicals and essential oils for an ultra-hydrating experience. Ideal for sensitive skin, it’s packed with calming ingredients that soothe and protect the skin, making it perfect for combating central heating dryness.
Vitamin E Skincare by Superdrug Hydrating Mist
Why we love it: A budget-friendly favourite, this mist is enriched with vitamin E, aloe vera, and hydrating glycerin. It offers an instant burst of moisture and works well for a mid-day refresh to keep skin feeling soft and hydrated.
Sheet Masks
For intense hydration, apply a sheet mask or overnight mask once or twice a week. These masks are packed with moisture-boosting ingredients that penetrate deeply to replenish dehydrated skin. Overnight masks, in particular, work wonders by sealing in hydration while you sleep, leaving your skin soft and nourished in the morning.
Recommended
Maskology Thermotherapy Mask
Why we love it: This self-heating sheet mask uses thermotherapy to open pores, allowing hydrating ingredients to penetrate deeply. Perfect for cold, dry days, it delivers a spa-like experience while leaving the skin feeling soft, nourished, and revitalised.
Erborian Glow Shot Mask
Why we love it: Packed with vitamin C, this mask brightens and hydrates, giving skin an instant boost. Its thin, breathable fabric allows for even absorption, making it ideal for combatting dullness caused by indoor heating.
Hada Labo Tokyo Moisturising Facial Sheet Mask
Why we love it: Infused with hyaluronic acid, this mask provides intense hydration and a plumping effect, to help smooth fine lines and restore moisture balance. It’s a top pick for relieving central heating dryness and refreshing dehydrated skin.
Suqqu Vialume The Mask
Why we love it: Known for its luxurious, rich formula, this mask offers deep hydration and a revitalising lift. It’s perfect for days when your skin needs a little extra love, leaving it radiant, hydrated, and soft.
Seoulista Beauty Brightening Instant Facial
Why we love it: With antioxidants and brightening agents, this mask is designed to boost glow and even out skin tone. It’s an ideal pick-me-up for winter weary skin, especially if you’re looking for instant radiance.
Decree Skincare SOS Mask
Why we love it: Formulated with calming ingredients, this mask helps soothe and deeply hydrate stressed skin. It’s a lifesaver for irritated skin in need of a moisture boost. It’ll help you achieve a calm and hydrated complexion even in the driest of environments.
Lip and Eye Care
Areas like the lips and under the eyes are often the first to show signs of dryness this time of year. To combat this, use a nourishing eye cream or gel to protect the delicate skin around the eyes, and apply a hydrating lip balm regularly to prevent chapping.
Recommended
Seabody Pentabrite Eye Serum
Why we love it: This lightweight eye serum is packed with brightening ingredients that target dark circles and fine lines. With its smooth, fast-absorbing texture, it’s ideal for delicate under-eye skin, providing hydration and radiance during colder, drier months.
L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Eye and Lip Cream
Why we love it: This multi-use cream is rich in immortelle extract, known for its anti-aging properties. It gently nourishes both the eyes and lips, reducing puffiness while keeping delicate skin areas soft and hydrated. It’s a winter must-have.
Erborian Matte-Effect Bamboo Eye Contour Gel
Why we love it: Perfect for those prone to puffiness, this gel harnesses bamboo to provide a cooling, mattifying effect around the eyes. It’s excellent for keeping the eye area fresh and hydrated without excess shine, even in dry indoor air.
Lacura Nourishing Peptide Lip Treatment
Why we love it: This Rhode dupe is enriched with peptides that help to smooth and hydrate lips. It’s an affordable option that deeply nourishes chapped lips. It leaves a subtle sheen while protecting your lips from harsh indoor heating.
Burt’s Bees Vanilla Bean Moisturising Lip Balm
Why we love it: A classic favourite, this 100% natural balm provides long-lasting hydration with a comforting vanilla scent. Formulated with beeswax and vitamin E, it keeps lips soft and protected against winter dryness.
Inlight Beauty Lip Serum
Why we love it: This luxurious lip serum combines natural botanicals to deeply hydrate and soften lips. With its silky, antioxidant-rich formula, it’s perfect for repairing and protecting your lips from the dehydrating effects of central heating.
Winters are traditionally long and dark with its effects felt both mentally and physically but with the right skincare products, lifestyle habits, and dry skin remedies to combat central heating, you can maintain a healthy, dewy glow throughout the season. By balancing central heating with these hydrating tips, you’ll be able to enjoy cosy indoor warmth without compromising your skin’s moisture levels.
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team as the best central heating dry skin remedies, however, we may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
