December Skin Issues: Why Eczema, Rosacea, Dry Skin, and Seborrheic Dermatitis Worsen in Winter

Why Winter Makes Skin Misbehave

Winter increases flares of eczema, rosacea, dry skin, and seborrheic dermatitis due to cold air, dry indoor heat, hot showers, heavy clothing, stress, and holiday eating. These stress both the skin barrier and immune system.

External triggers (cold, dryness) combine with internal triggers (gut shifts, inflammation, nutrient changes) and lower the threshold for flares.

Barrier Basics: Effects of Cold, Dry Air

Cold air + indoor heating reduce humidity and increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL).When TEWL rises:

• Skin becomes dry, tight, and rough

• Small cracks form and sting

• Irritants penetrate more easily

The barrier depends on ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. When these deplete, skin cannot hold moisture, even with good hydration.

Why Some People Flare More: Genetics & Immunity

Some people have genetically weaker barriers (e.g., filaggrin variants). Winter also increases immune sensitivity due to:

• Lower vitamin D

• Cold/wind irritation

• Stress, alcohol, poor sleep, sugar spikes

These increase inflammation and make the skin more reactive.

The Gut–Skin Axis: Internal Triggers

Winter skin flares often involve:

• Gut dysbiosis

• Increased intestinal permeability

• Chronic inflammation

• Nutrient deficiencies

Common triggers: sugar, alcohol, high-histamine foods, ultra-processed foods, harsh skincare, stress, poor sleep, Demodex or Malassezia overgrowth.

How Winter Shows Up in Each Condition

Eczema – itchy, red patches; high TEWL; barrier + immune dysfunction.

Rosacea – flushing, burning, redness; triggered by temperature shifts and inflammation.

Dry Skin – rough, flaky skin; worsens with hot showers and harsh cleansers.

Seborrheic Dermatitis – dandruff; flaky/red patches; yeast imbalance + barrier disruption.

Nutrition & Gut Support for Winter Skin

Core Nutrients for Skin Health

Protein – Provides amino acids for collagen, repair, and barrier proteins.

Omega-3s – Reduce inflammatory pathways; improve moisture and redness.

Vitamin D – Regulates immune activity in eczema and rosacea.

Zinc – Required for barrier repair and wound healing.

Vitamin C – Antioxidant; supports collagen and barrier strength.

Vitamin A/Carotenoids – Support epithelial integrity in gut and skin.

Hydration – Supports overall skin water balance (in combination with moisturizers + humidity).

Add-Ons for Winter Skin Flares

(Always work with your healthcare provider before starting new supplements)

Inflammation Support

Omega-3s (EPA/DHA)

Why it helps: Reduces inflammatory prostaglandins, decreases redness/itching, and increases ceramide production for better moisture retention.

GLA (Borage Oil or Evening Primrose Oil)

Why it helps: Provides gamma-linolenic acid, which is often low in eczema; improves barrier lipids and reduces scaling/dryness.

Vitamin D

Why it helps: Modulates immune activity; low levels correlate with eczema and rosacea flares, especially in winter.

Curcumin

Why it helps: Down-regulates NF-κB and other inflammatory pathways that drive redness, swelling, and skin sensitivity.

Histamine Support

Quercetin

Why it helps: Stabilizes mast cells, reducing histamine release that causes flushing, itching, and redness.

Vitamin C

Why it helps: Natural antihistamine and antioxidant; supports collagen and barrier repair.

DAO (Diamine Oxidase) Enzyme

Why it helps: Helps break down dietary histamine that may worsen winter flushing or itch.

Omega-3s

Why it helps: Lower histamine-driven inflammation and improve skin smoothness.

Gut Support

Probiotics (strain-specific)

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: Reduces eczema severity and improves barrier lipids.

• Bifidobacterium longum: Supports barrier function and reduces inflammation.

• Lactobacillus reuteri: Benefits rosacea by reducing inflammatory cytokines.

• Saccharomyces boulardii: Reduces yeast overgrowth associated with seborrheic dermatitis.

L-Glutamine

Why it helps: Supports intestinal lining integrity, reducing permeability that can trigger systemic inflammation affecting the skin.

Zinc L-Carnosine

Why it helps: Repairs gut mucosa and decreases inflammation; supports gut–skin axis healing.

Antifungals

Why they help: Reduce Malassezia yeast or Candida overgrowth that fuels seb derm and inflammatory flare cycles.

Functional Stool Testing

Why it helps: Identifies dysbiosis, yeast, pathogens, and low butyrate production—key drivers of skin inflammation.

Topical Oils

Tea Tree Oil (diluted)

Why it helps: Antimicrobial against Malassezia yeast and bacteria; useful for seb derm and dandruff.

Coconut Oil

Why it helps: Contains lauric acid, which is anti-yeast and anti-microbial; helps dryness for some individuals.

Nigella Sativa (Black Seed) Oil

Why it helps: Anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial; helps eczema-prone skin calm irritation.

Antioxidant Support

Vitamin E

Why it helps: Protects skin lipids from oxidative damage caused by cold, wind, and dryness.

Vitamin A

Why it helps: Supports cell turnover and repair; essential for epithelial (skin) integrity.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Why it helps: Regenerates other antioxidants and reduces oxidative stress in rosacea and seb derm.

CoQ10

Why it helps: Powerful antioxidant that protects skin cells and improves cellular energy for repair.

Quick Winter Skin Tips

• Warm (not hot) showers

• Gentle, fragrance-free cleansers

• Moisturize within 1–2 minutes after bathing

• Use thicker barrier creams on sensitive areas

• Keep indoor humidity 40–50%

• Avoid wool directly on skin

• Eat colorful veggies, healthy fats, antioxidants

• Check vitamin D levels

• Use stress-reduction techniques (breathing, walking, vagal exercises)

Written by Katherine Jones, CN, CNS-C

Apeiron Wellness Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist Candidate