The holidays are fun, but they can be tough on your skin. Cold air, dry airplane cabins, late nights, and more sugar and champagne than usual all affect hydration and overall glow. This is a simple guide to understanding what’s happening and how to keep your skin healthy through the season.

What Cold Air Does to Your Skin Barrier

When temperatures drop, your skin produces fewer natural oils. This weakens your lipid barrier — the layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out. When this barrier becomes compromised, skin can feel tight, dry, flaky, or more sensitive than usual.

A good moisturizer (like Dew or Dry!!!) supports this barrier by adding back the lipids and hydrators that winter takes away.

Low Humidity = More Moisture Loss

Cold climates and airplanes have one thing in common: extremely low humidity. When the air is dry, water evaporates from your skin more quickly. This is why your face can feel dehydrated during and after travel.

Applying moisturizer before a flight and again after you land helps lock in moisture and prevent that tight, dry feeling.

The Effects of Alcohol, Sugar, and Sleep

Holiday celebrations often mean more drinking, more sugar, and less sleep — all of which can affect your skin:

• Alcohol dehydrates you, leading to dullness.
• Sugar can trigger inflammation and breakouts in some people.
• Lack of sleep slows down your skin’s ability to repair overnight.
• Holiday stress and travel can increase sensitivity and redness.

You don’t have to avoid anything entirely, but staying hydrated and moisturizing consistently will help balance things out.

A Simple Hydration Strategy

Keeping your skin comfortable during the holidays doesn’t require a complicated routine. Think about hydration in three steps:

• Water-based hydration: ingredients like aloe, hyaluronic acid, or tremella help attract water to the skin.
• Barrier support: ingredients like squalane, jojoba, or ceramides strengthen your lipid barrier.
• Seal it in: a good moisturizer locks everything in place and prevents moisture loss.

Most people focus only on step one. Winter skin needs all three.

A Basic AM/PM Winter Routine

Here’s an easy routine to follow during the holidays:

Morning

• Rinse with warm water
• Apply a hydrating serum (optional)
• Moisturize
• Use SPF

Night

• Cleanse gently
• Moisturize (use a little more than usual if you’re dry)
• Add a face oil or lip mask if needed

On Travel Days

• Moisturize 20–30 minutes before boarding
• Reapply after you land

Final Thoughts

Cold weather, travel, and holiday celebrations can all impact your skin, but with a simple plan and consistent moisture, you can keep your skin calm and balanced.