With the winter cold, skin tends to become dry and tight, especially on areas like legs, arms, elbows, and heels. The skin’s natural barrier can easily be compromised by sudden temperature changes, cold wind, and harsh cleansing. The good news? With the right daily habits and targeted natural remedies, it’s possible to restore nourishment, softness, and elasticity to the skin.

To combat dry skin in winter, it’s important to follow a simple yet effective routine, made up of small daily habits that help the skin regain its wellbeing. During this season, in fact, the skin needs extra support and protection. Choosing gentle formulas and ingredients that are naturally skin-friendly can make a real difference in preventing roughness, flaking, and that uncomfortable tight feeling. Picking a mild shower gel that respects the skin’s balance, pairing it with an exfoliating body scrub, and finishing the routine with a nourishing body cream rich in natural active ingredients is a simple step that helps restore softness and comfort to the skin.

In this article, we will cover the following points:

• Why skin gets drier in winter
• The importance of a gentle shower gel to respect the skin’s natural balance
• Body scrub: why exfoliation helps fight dry skin
• Nourishing body cream: how to choose rich yet gentle formulas for dry skin
• Intensive treatments for the driest areas, such as elbows and heel

Why skin gets drier in winter

During the winter months, the skin on the body tends to become drier, more sensitive, and less elastic. This isn’t just a feeling, it’s a physiological response of our body to low temperatures. To protect itself from the cold, the body activates a defense mechanism that prioritizes blood flow to the internal organs, reducing circulation to the skin. This means skin cells receive less oxygen and fewer nutrients and, as a result, produce fewer lipids and less collagen, two essential components for keeping the skin firm, elastic, and well protected. The skin therefore becomes thinner, dehydrates more easily, and looks dull, red, and dry.

Alongside this natural process, there are also several external winter factors that further weaken the skin barrier. Intense cold, wind, and frequent temperature changes between the outdoors and heated indoor environments put a strain on the hydrolipid film, which is the protective layer that covers the skin and helps maintain its hydration. When this barrier is disrupted, water tends to evaporate more quickly and the skin loses its natural ability to defend itself from external aggressors.

Dry air produced by heating systems, which is often found in homes, offices, shops, and indoor spaces, also plays an important role. This type of air draws moisture away from the skin, making dryness, itchiness, and that tight feeling even more noticeable. In fact, it’s common to see that after a day spent in heated environments, the skin looks more dehydrated and feels less comfortable, especially on the legs, arms, and naturally drier areas like elbows and knees.

Daily habits also have a major impact on skin health in winter. Hot showers and baths, on the one hand, provide a pleasant sense of comfort, but on the other hand they can contribute to stripping away the skin’s natural lipids, especially when combined with harsh or overly cleansing products.

The areas that are most affected by winter cold are usually the parts of the body that are more exposed, such as the face and hands, which are constantly in contact with weather conditions, pollution, and artificial heated air. However, the skin on the body, often covered and given less attention in everyday routines, can also show widespread dryness, flaking, and a loss of softness. Legs, for example, tend to dry out easily because they have a lower concentration of sebaceous glands, while heels and elbows, which are subject to friction and thickening, become rougher and more prone to cracking.

Having dry skin is a sign that it needs specific care, gentle formulas, and ingredients that can support the skin barrier. That’s why understanding what happens to the skin in winter is essential in order to take care of it in a more mindful way.

The importance of a gentle shower gel to respect the skin’s natural balance

Cleansing is the first beauty step in a daily routine and, especially in winter, it becomes essential for keeping the skin balanced. At this time of year, the skin needs gentle gestures and skin-friendly formulas that cleanse without causing stress. Choosing a mild shower gel turns your shower into a moment of mindful self-care, supporting the skin and preserving its comfort.

A cleansing routine that is too vigorous, or the use of overly stripping products, can disrupt the skin’s natural hydrolipid film and make it more fragile and vulnerable. On the other hand, cleansing gently helps keep the skin barrier intact and promotes a smoother, more even-looking complexion that is ready to benefit from the next steps, such as nourishing body creams and replenishing oils.

If your skin is dry, sensitive, or easily reactive, at La Saponaria we recommend choosing cleansers that combine delicacy with everyday comfort, such as the Shower Milk for Dry and Sensitive Skin with Organic Oats and Prebiotics. Its creamy formula gently cleanses while respecting the skin’s balance, leaving a pleasant feeling of softness already in the shower. The formula contains highly skin-compatible ingredients that work together to soothe and hydrate the skin: Organic Oats and Organic Calendula have a calming and softening effect, helping to reduce redness and discomfort. Organic Chamomile completes the treatment with its refreshing action, leaving the skin immediately smoother and more relaxed.

Those who want a gentle cleanse that is also comforting and nourishing can choose the Nourishing Shower Gel with Carrot and Vanilla. Designed to bring wellbeing to drier skin types, this cleanser combines a synergy of natural active ingredients with nourishing and soothing properties: Organic Aloe Vera and Organic Mallow help keep the skin silky-smooth, while Organic Carrot and Vanilla help nourish the skin and wrap it in a pleasant sense of softness. The addition of Ginger gives a toning and revitalising touch, while upcycled Organic Lemon Balm constitutional water helps hydrate the skin and restore its natural balance.

Body scrub: why exfoliation helps fight dry skin

When the skin on the body looks dry, dull, and uneven, the issue is often not only a lack of nourishment, but also a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface. In winter, the skin’s natural cell turnover tends to slow down, and the skin struggles to shed those no-longer-functional cells on its own. As a result, it feels rougher to the touch, looks less radiant, and, most importantly, is less able to absorb the treatments that follow. This is where a body scrub comes in: thanks to its exfoliating action, it helps remove dead skin cells and supports the skin’s natural renewal process.

Using a scrub regularly, with gentle products formulated with natural ingredients, helps smooth the skin’s surface without stressing it, visibly improving its appearance. After exfoliation, the skin immediately feels softer, smoother, and more even, above all, it is better prepared to benefit from the hydration and nourishment provided by body creams and butters.

However, when it comes to body scrubs, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, because every skin type has different needs, and choosing the right product truly makes a difference. La Saponaria body scrubs are designed to support the skin in its natural renewal process, helping it regain radiance even when it tends to become dry. Among them, the Toning Body Scrub with Organic Ginkgo and Vitamin C and the Revitalising Body Scrub with Organic Lemongrass and Mint meet different needs, while sharing a common base of natural ingredients and nourishing textures.

The Toning Body Scrub is designed for those who want an effective exfoliation that still feels comfortable on the skin. Its creamy texture pampers the skin during application, while natural and organic ingredients help revive its natural glow. Organic Ginkgo extract, combined with Vitamin C, boosts radiance, while Organic Carrot, Organic Coconut Oil, and Organic Aloe provide elasticity and comfort. Its citrusy, zesty, sun-kissed scent makes the experience even more enjoyable, turning the scrub into a truly energising moment for both body and mind.

The Revitalising Body Scrub, on the other hand, offers a gentler, balancing exfoliation—perfect for sensitive skin or for anyone who prefers a softer touch. Its oily texture allows the grains to glide smoothly over the skin without being harsh, supporting cell renewal and improving skin texture. The fresh, light lemongrass scent adds a pleasant feeling of freshness, making this scrub ideal for regular, harmonious exfoliation.

Nourishing body cream: how to choose rich yet gentle formulas for dry skin

After cleansing and exfoliation, the skin needs formulas that can restore lipids and elasticity without feeling heavy or occlusive. To nourish dry skin, it’s important to choose rich products that are designed to respect the skin’s natural physiology and support the skin barrier over time.

One of the most suitable treatments for very dry skin is the Nourishing Body Cream – Soft Organic Shea Butter, La Saponaria’s richest formula. Its whipped, airy texture provides deep, intense nourishment. Organic Shea Butter has nourishing and replenishing properties, helping to strengthen the skin barrier and protect the skin from dehydration. This cream is ideal when the skin looks especially dry, dull, or stressed, as it helps make it softer, more elastic, and more comfortable from the very first applications. It’s also perfect as an intensive treatment to apply after a shower or in the evening, helping the skin regenerate overnight.

For those with dry skin that is also sensitive or easily reactive, it’s important to choose formulas that combine nourishment with gentleness. The Body Cream for Dry and Sensitive Skin with Organic Calendula and Prebiotics is specifically designed to meet these needs. Organic Calendula, known for its soothing properties, helps calm the skin and reduce redness and discomfort, while prebiotics help support the natural balance of the skin microbiome. The result is skin that feels nourished, but also more protected and stable over time, less prone to irritation and recurring dryness.

Intensive treatments for the driest areas, such as elbows and heels

Elbows and heels are among the areas of the body that most easily become dry, thickened, and rough, especially during winter. In these zones, the skin is naturally thicker and has fewer sebaceous glands, which is why it needs targeted, intensive treatments. In these cases, the simplest natural solutions are often the most effective.

Pure Shea Butter by La Saponaria is a true ally for caring for the driest areas of the body. Rich in lipids that are naturally compatible with the skin, it helps nourish, protect, and strengthen the skin barrier. Its solid texture transforms easily: just warm a small amount between your hands to turn it into a soft, enveloping oil, ready to be massaged onto the areas that need nourishment the most.

Used consistently, it helps make the skin more elastic and less prone to cracking. For an even more effective result, shea butter can be used as an intensive overnight treatment. After cleansing, apply it generously to heels and elbows, focusing on the roughest areas. For the feet, it’s recommended to wear cotton socks before going to bed, as this helps keep the product in place and boosts its nourishing action overnight. By morning, the skin will look visibly softer, smoother, and more comfortable.

Conclusions

In this article, we’ve seen how winter can be embraced as an opportunity to slow down and take time for yourself, choosing a mindful routine built around a few essential steps. Gentle cleansing that respects the skin’s natural balance, regular exfoliation to support skin renewal, and targeted nourishment with rich formulas that work in harmony with the skin’s physiology are the key pillars for keeping the skin more even and comfortable even during the coldest months.

Giving extra attention to the driest areas, such as elbows and heels, with intensive natural treatments helps prevent cracking and thickening. With consistency, natural ingredients, and a respectful approach, winter skincare becomes a simple yet effective gesture that supports the skin in regaining balance and long-lasting wellbeing.