If your skin seems to fall apart the moment the radiators come on – tightness, flaking, that dull papery look – you’re not imagining it. Winter doesn’t just bring colder air outside; inside, central heating quietly creates one of the harshest environments your skin will face all year.

According to Dr Anjali Mahto, Consultant Dermatologist and Founder of Self Londonthe culprit isn’t warmth itself but what the heat does to the air – and therefore your skin barrier.

How central heating affects your skin

When indoor heating ramps up, the moisture in the air drops drastically. ‘When we turn up the heating, humidity inside our homes can drop below 20%. That’s drier than the Sahara Desert,’ says Dr Mahto. ‘The air literally pulls water from the skin, breaking down the lipids that hold the surface barrier together. The result is roughness, redness and that tell-tale winter tightness.’

That lack of humidity also drives something called transepidermal water loss (TEWL) – essentially your skin’s internal hydration evaporating into the air. ‘Central heating warms the air but doesn’t add moisture so relative humidity falls,’ she explains. ‘Within hours, the skin’s protective “brick-and-mortar” barrier begins to separate, creating tiny fissures and disrupting the enzymes responsible for natural exfoliation.’

And it’s not just the barrier that suffers. ‘As the air temperature rises, blood flow to the skin surface slows, reducing nutrient delivery,’ says Dr Mahto. She adds that the shift in conditions can also disrupt the microbiome: ‘The drier, less acidic surface allows imbalance in the microbiome, making the skin reactive.’

What ‘winter skin’ looks like

‘The result is what many call “winter skin”: dryness, flaking, dullness and a loss of elasticity,’ says Dr Mahto. Fine lines appear visible too, not because you’ve suddenly aged but because ‘the outer layers scatter light unevenly’.

Even your favourite moisturiser might suddenly feel like it’s not working. That’s normal when your barrier is compromised. ‘The key is to restore what the environment removes: moisture, lipids and equilibrium,’ she stresses. ‘It’s not about heavy creams but about rebuilding the skin’s natural barrier.’

How to beat central-heating induced dryness

The good news: you don’t need to give up warmth to keep your skin happy. A few strategic tweaks can rebalance things fast.

Reintroduce humidity

Aim for indoor humidity between 40–50%. A humidifier works best but bowls of water near radiators or moisture-loving houseplants can help too.

Rebuild the barrier

Choose moisturisers rich in ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids – the same ‘mortar’ your skin naturally uses to seal in hydration.

Protect the acid mantle

Swap hot showers and foaming cleansers for gentle pH-balanced formulas. Pat (don’t rub) your face dry and apply moisturiser immediately after.

Support from within

Hydration matters but so do nutrients. Essential fatty acids, vitamins C and E and zinc all support collagen, lipid repair and overall resilience.