When we think about the weather, we usually associate it with clothes, cold, heat, or even our mood... but we rarely relate it to our skin. However, skin is one of the most sensitive organs to environmental variations and, as such, reacts to any change in temperature, humidity, or exposure.

Understanding how your skin responds to the seasons—especially now that winter is approaching—is key to taking better care of it and adapting your routine more consciously.

Why do seasonal changes affect our skin so much?

Skin is an intelligent system designed for self-regulation. Its function is to maintain a balance between hydration, protection, and temperature. But when the climate changes abruptly, that balance is compromised. When transitioning from heat to cold, from humidity to dryness, or from intense sun to cloudy days, the skin has to readjust rapidly. This process generates:

• Increased sensitivity
• More reactivity
• Tightness
• Rapid moisture loss

It's a natural phenomenon, but also a reminder that skin is not static: it constantly adapts to its environment.

What specifically happens in winter?

Winter is, without a doubt, one of the most challenging seasons for the skin. Environmental factors act together:

• Cold air: reduces environmental humidity.
• Wind: draws moisture from the skin's surface layer.
• Indoor heating: further dries the environment, even without us noticing.

The result is well-known to many: dry skin, irritation, flaking, and a weakened skin barrier. Even people who don't normally have sensitive skin may notice that their skin feels rougher or more uncomfortable in winter. This happens because cold accelerates transepidermal water loss; that is, the skin loses moisture faster than it can retain it.

Should your routine change with the season?

The answer is yes. Just as we adjust our clothes to the weather, our skin also needs an adapted routine. In winter, it's ideal to opt for more hydrating formulas, gentler cleansers, active ingredients that strengthen the skin barrier, and textures that retain moisture.

But beyond adding products, you need to reduce anything that can irritate, dry out, or destabilize the skin. This season is about protecting, soothing, and maintaining natural moisture.

And what role does the water we use play?

A very important one, although we don't always consider it. During winter, the skin is already naturally more fragile. Therefore, if the water that touches it contains impurities—like chlorine, heavy metals, or sediments—irritation and dryness are accentuated. While we use products to hydrate and protect, the water may be doing the opposite without us realizing it. Cleaner water helps to:

• Maintain a stable skin barrier
• Reduce feelings of tightness
• Prevent excessive dehydration
• Better prepare the skin before applying any product

In other words: it's the first step for a truly conscious winter routine. If the skin is already vulnerable, starting with irritant-free water makes a visible difference.