Why Your Skin Gets Drier during the Fall Months
- Dr. Francesca Medina, ND
- Oct 13
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
... and How to Fix It
Noticing dry, flaky skin this fall? Learn why your skin gets drier when the weather changes and how to fix it naturally with nutrition, skincare, and hormone support.
In this article, I'll talk about:
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The Real Reason Your Skin Gets Drier in Fall
If your skin suddenly feels tighter, duller, or flakier once the weather cools down, you’re definitely not alone. Fall is the season for cozy sweaters, hot drinks, and… dry skin.
As the air gets cooler and humidity drops, your skin loses more moisture to the environment. Add in longer, hotter showers and indoor heaters, and you’ve got a recipe for dehydration, irritation, and barrier damage.
But here’s the thing, your skin doesn’t just respond to the weather. It also responds to your hormones, your gut, and even your stress levels. So when fall rolls around, your skin’s changing because your whole body is adjusting to the new season.
What’s Really Causing That Fall Dryness
1. Low Humidity = Less Moisture in Your Skin
Cooler air simply holds less water, which means your skin loses hydration faster. You might notice this first on your cheeks, lips, and hands. That is because these areas are where your oil glands are fewer and the skin barrier is thinner.
2. Hot Showers & Harsh Cleansers
That steamy shower might feel amazing, but it strips away your natural oils (the ones that keep moisture locked in). The same goes for foaming or “deep cleansing” products. Their drying nature can make dry skin worse in the fall.
3. Less Sunlight, Lower Vitamin D
Shorter days mean your vitamin D levels drop, and that affects how your skin renews itself. Dullness, dryness, and even breakouts can pop up as your vitamin levels decrease.
4. Hormone & Thyroid Shifts
Lower daylight = lower serotonin, melatonin, and cortisol balance: This all impacts your hormones. If your estrogen or thyroid function is on the low side, dryness, fatigue, and brittle hair often follow.
5. Gut Changes and Comfort Food Season
When the weather cools, we tend to crave heavier, starchier foods (understandably!). But if your fiber or hydration drops, your gut microbiome can shift, and that impacts your skin’s ability to stay hydrated.
How to Fix Dry Fall Skin
1. Hydrate from the Inside Out
Think beyond water. Hydration is also about electrolytes, fats, and minerals.
Try this:
Add electrolytes or a pinch of mineral salt to your water.
Eat plenty of omega-3s (salmon, chia, flaxseed, walnuts).
Load up on pumpkin, carrots, and sweet potatoes for their beta-carotene (a superfood nutrient for the skin barrier).
Use olive oil and avocado generously because your skin cells are literally built from those fats!
🩷 Bonus: These foods also help regulate hormones, so you’re supporting your skin and your cycle at the same time.
2. Rebuild Your Skin Barrier
This is the time to go gentle.
Swap out foaming cleansers for hydrating cleansers.
Choose ceramide-rich moisturizers that rebuild your skin barrier.
Layer a few drops of rosehip or jojoba oil into your nighttime routine.
Run a humidifier while you sleep. I’s a game-changer to prevent your skin from drying out overnight.
3. Check In On Your Hormones
If your dryness comes with fatigue, hair shedding, or feeling cold all the time, it might not just be the weather. It could be your thyroid or estrogen levels. This season is the perfect time for a hormone check-up.
📋 You can book a 1:1 hormone and skin consultation through my clinic for a deeper look at what your skin is telling you.
4. Support Your Gut for Skin Hydration
Your gut and skin communicate constantly, and what happens in one shows up in the other.
Here’s how to keep that connection strong:
Eat fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir).
Include prebiotic fibers (apples, oats, asparagus).
Manage stress and cortisol. Both can dry out your skin and inflame your gut.
If you’ve noticed breakouts, dryness, or irritation around the same time your digestion feels off, that’s your gut-skin axis waving for attention.
5. Add a Few Fall-Friendly Supplements
You don’t need a complicated routine. You just strategic support:
Omega-3s → for deep hydration and barrier repair.
Collagen peptides → for elasticity and skin plumpness.
Zinc & Vitamin C → for barrier healing and antioxidant protection.
Vitamin D3 → for skin renewal during shorter, darker days.
Unsure where to look for medical-grade supplements, click here for the reputable sites.
Fall Self-Care Rituals for Glowing Skin
Sometimes the best “skincare” has nothing to do with products. Fall is the perfect time to slow down and create cozy routines that nourish your nervous system too.
Try:
Warming herbal teas (chamomile, hibiscus, or ginger).
Restorative yoga or nature walks instead of high-intensity workouts.
Magnesium baths in the evening to relax muscles and support hydration.
When your stress is lower, your skin barrier literally heals faster. ✨
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Dry Skin
1. Why does my skin suddenly get dry in the fall?
As soon as temperatures drop, the air holds less moisture, meaning your skin loses hydration faster. Combine that with indoor heating, long hot showers, and shifts in hormones or thyroid function, and dryness becomes almost inevitable. Fall is also when vitamin D levels dip, which affects your skin’s ability to renew and retain moisture.
2. What helps extremely dry skin in the fall?
Start by repairing your skin barrier. Use cream or oil-based cleansers, layer hydrating serums with ceramides or hyaluronic acid, and seal it all in with a nourishing facial oil.Internally, focus on omega-3s, vitamin D, collagen, and hydration with electrolytes. Supporting your gut and hormones can also make a huge difference since they influence how your skin retains water.
3. Should I exfoliate if my skin feels dry?
Yes, but gently. Over-exfoliating can make dryness worse by damaging your barrier. Try a mild enzyme or lactic acid exfoliant once or twice per week, and always follow up with a moisturizer rich in ceramides or squalane.
4. What ingredients should I look for in a fall moisturizer?
Look for ingredients that lock in moisture and rebuild your barrier, like:
Ceramides – help restore the skin’s natural protective layer.
Squalane – a lightweight oil that hydrates without clogging pores.
Hyaluronic acid – binds water to the skin for deep hydration.
Niacinamide – supports barrier strength and reduces inflammation.
5. Can hormones really make my skin drier?
Absolutely. Lower estrogen or thyroid hormone levels can reduce sebum (your skin’s natural oil) production. This is why some women notice dryness or flakiness during certain parts of their cycle or in cooler months. If dryness is persistent, it’s worth checking in on your hormone and thyroid health.
6. How can I hydrate my skin naturally without heavy creams?
Focus on internal hydration first: drink mineral-rich water, eat healthy fats (avocado, salmon, olive oil), and keep electrolytes balanced. You can also mist your skin before applying a lightweight facial oil as this helps “seal in” moisture naturally without heavy occlusives.
7. Is fall a good time to change my skincare routine?
Yes! In fact, it’s the best time. As humidity drops, your skin’s needs change. Think: richer moisturizers, gentler exfoliation, and barrier repair over brightening actives. Fall is also a great time to prep skin for winter and heal any sun damage from summer.
Your skin changes with the seasons, and that’s completely normal. But dry, flaky fall skin doesn’t have to be inevitable. By supporting hydration, gut health, and hormones, you can keep your glow all year long.
If your skin is struggling with the seasonal shift, it might be time to look deeper at what your body needs this season.
Ready to get your smooth, hydrated skin back?
Book an appointment with me or download my free Glowing Skin Grocery List to start nourishing your skin from the inside out.
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*Dr. Francesca works only with patients physically located in California.*
*Disclaimer: Although I am a doctor, I may not be your doctor. The information contained within the pages of this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to treat conditions. Please consult with your doctor, or make an appointment with me, before implementing any of the treatments, diets, supplements, etc. mentioned in this article.*
