From around December to February, the air in Bangladesh becomes noticeably cooler and drier, especially in the north and in the early mornings. Skin that felt oily all summer can suddenly feel tight after washing, flake around the nose, itch on the shins and crack on the lips and heels. The fix is not complicated — it is mostly about washing more gently and moisturising more effectively.
Why Skin Gets Dry in Winter
The outer layer of your skin (the skin barrier) is made of cells held together by fats such as ceramides. It keeps water in and irritants out. In winter, several things weaken it at once:
- Lower humidity pulls water out of the skin faster
- Hot baths and showers strip away natural oils
- Harsh soaps and foaming face washes remove even more oil
- Drinking less water when it's cold
When the barrier is damaged, skin loses water, feels rough and becomes more easily irritated.
Know Your Moisturiser: Three Types of Ingredients
Good winter moisturisers combine three kinds of ingredients:
- Humectants draw water into the skin — glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea
- Emollients smooth and soften — ceramides, fatty acids, squalane, plant oils
- Occlusives seal water in — petrolatum, shea butter, dimethicone
In summer, a light gel with mostly humectants may be enough. In winter, most people do better with a richer cream or lotion that also contains emollients and occlusives. Browse our moisturisers and face creams to compare textures.
A Simple Winter Face Routine
Morning
- Rinse or use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser — a cream or hydrating cleanser such as CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is kinder than a strong foaming wash.
- Moisturise while skin is still slightly damp to lock in water.
- Apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher). UV rays reach your skin in winter too, even on hazy days.
Night
- Cleanse gently to remove sunscreen, makeup and pollution.
- Apply a richer moisturiser — a ceramide cream like CeraVe Moisturising Cream works well for dry and very dry skin.
- Go easy on strong actives. If you use retinol or exfoliating acids, reduce how often you use them when your skin feels dry or stings.
Body, Hands and Feet
- Use lukewarm, not hot, water and keep baths short.
- Moisturise within a few minutes of bathing, while the skin is still damp. A body lotion such as Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion or Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion is easy to spread over large areas. See all body lotions.
- Hands: apply hand cream after every wash. Our hand care range has quick-absorbing options.
- Heels: cracked heels respond well to a thick cream at night, followed by cotton socks. Look in foot care.
Don't Forget Your Lips
Lips have no oil glands of their own, so they are the first to crack in dry weather. Use a lip balm through the day — one with SPF, like Dot & Key Barrier Repair Lip Balm SPF 50+, protects from sun too — and a thicker layer or a lip mask at night. Avoid licking your lips; saliva evaporates and leaves them drier. Our lip care guide covers this in detail.
Winter Mistakes to Avoid
- Scrubbing flaky skin hard — this damages the barrier further
- Skipping moisturiser because your skin is "oily" — even oily skin can be dehydrated in winter
- Skipping sunscreen because it's cool outside
- Applying moisturiser to completely dry skin long after bathing
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if your skin is very itchy, red, cracked or bleeding, if patches keep coming back, or if dryness doesn't improve after two weeks of gentle care. Conditions such as eczema and psoriasis often flare in winter and may need prescription treatment.
Shop Winter Skincare at RuSu
You can find gentle cleansers, ceramide creams, body lotions and lip balms from trusted brands such as CeraVe, Cetaphil and Aveeno at RuSu, our online cosmetics shop, with delivery across Bangladesh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I switch to a different moisturiser in winter?
Many people do. If your summer gel feels like it disappears within an hour, try a cream or lotion with ceramides, glycerin or shea butter for the winter months.
Do I need sunscreen in winter?
Yes. UV levels are lower than in summer but still high enough in Bangladesh to cause tanning, dark spots and skin ageing over time.
Is petroleum jelly good for dry skin?
It is an effective occlusive that seals in moisture, especially for lips, heels and very dry patches. Apply it over a hydrating product on slightly damp skin for the best effect.