Guide to Winter Body Care - Lotions, Bathing & More!

It's the middle of winter and the changes can be harsh on your skincare routine. With more time spent indoors with indoor heating, dry weather and lower activity levels; we can end up feeling a little bit tight and dehydrated. 

Just 6 hours of spending time in indoor heating causes your pores to grow, wrinkles to deepen, skin texture to become rough and irritated - leading to flaking, redness and skin inflammation. 

So, how can you improve your skin practices to keep your skin soft, hydrated and prevent that irritation from forming? It involves a few easy steps at home (and in your routine) to keep you feeling refreshed and skin protected.

It started with being thoughtful with your heating techniques and dressing warm at home.

Avoid long-term heater (especially close heat) exposure, especially being thoughtful for exposed skin. In winter it's good to dress warm, keeping your body heat close and naturally circulating, rather than having external heaters sap the moisture from your skin.

Shower once a day (maximum). If you are being less active, chances are you aren't getting as dirty and you won't need to scrub, exfoliate and dry your skin as much.

If venturing outside, be sure to protect yourself from wind and moisture exposure - as these combined with the chill can be incredibly irritating to skin and you should try to change out of wet clothes ASAP.

When it's cold outside, chances are you'r egoing to want to crank up the heat inside to stay deliciously warm. But take care with hot water, as it can actually damage your natural skin structure and cause critical moisture loss. 

This is a common cause of dry and flaking skin in winter, as we tend to go for a scalding hot bath or shower and lose a lot of moisture.

Key tips include:

• Try to keep water lukewarm or reduce shower time to prevent exposure
• Be sure to use a creamy, hydrating soap (stay away from drying bar soaps or harsher cleansers)
• Employ a little exfoliating cloth or scrubbing brush to help clear dryer, harder skin and prep your body for a little lotion

1. Derma-B Creamy Touch Body Wash 
- ideal to reduce flaking and irritation, rich in soothing lipids to cleanse without stripping skin 

2. Benton Ceramide Calming ATO Body Wash 
- this rich, creamy body wash is rich in ceramides to help build-up your skin barrier and keep skin plump and refreshed. 

3. Medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Vita Brightening Body Wash 
- if you’re struggling with dullness or pigmentation over the winter, check out this incredibly popular body wash that provides a deep radiance, with a soothing, gentle cleanse.

The age-old argument - when do you apply lotion? Well, a scientific study by Ueda et al in 2021 confirmed that using lotion twice daily (mostly after bathing or washing) had great advantages to skin, for softness, retained moisture and prevented that drying, tight feeling.

So, ideally lather up after bathing. Once you're out of the shower or bath, dry up and try to get a little lotion on within 5 minutes if you can. This helps to maximise skin elasticity and seals in a little extra moisture, so you can feel refreshed and clean throughout the day.

The trick to using lotion is to only add a little bit (as required), typically one pump per limb is enough. That means four pumps of moisturizer should cover each arm and leg and apply one to your chest and one more for your back.

Massage in well until skin is moist, but no longer sticky. Then cover up with warm clothes and you should immediately notice a difference to flaking, redness and irritation.

If you are still struggling with skin dryness, add a little exfoliation to your cleansing routine, whether it's through a mechanical exfoliation (like a sugar scrub) or with a scrubbing brush. This helps gently break up dead skin cells and allows your lotion to penetrate deeper for relief and hydration.

1. Illiyoon Moisture Body Lotion 
- ideal for oily skin that typically doesn’t need a deep lotion, this refreshing lotion helps brighten and subtly moisturize without the greasy feeling. 

2. Aromatica Serene Body Lotion Lavender & Marjoram 
- if you are after a lotion with rich, calming scent and to soothe irritation and redness, this lotion is one of the best for vibrant aromatherapy. 

3. ATOPALM MLE Lotion 
- if you’re after a lotion that deeply repairs the skin, this lotion contains MLE that mimics the natural structure of skin for a boost of hydration.

Another final aspect to keeping yourself healthy and vibrant this winter is making sure your vitamin D levels are good and stable. If you've been staying inside (or live in southern Australia), chances are you are vitamin D deficient (49% in Victoria and the ACT, and 43% in Tasmania).

If you are feeling fatigued, have a low mood or are noticing changes to your skin or hair, get to your GP asap!

When in winter, be sure to keep warm, refreshed and hydrated! It is the time to take it easy, enjoy some warm, nutritious food and rest a little more. And your skin will be smooth & dreamy with these three steps: cleanse, exfoliate & moisturize 💅

Want to explore your winter, skincare options? Check out the amazing range on Arktastic.

Want to update your skincare knowledge to keep your beautiful face in check, no matter the season? Check out our guide to the best skincare products for winter or check out our review of the latest Dr Melaxin Night Wrap Mask to wake up with glassy skin ✨

Why does my skin get so dry and itchy in winter? 

Indoor heating and hot showers strip moisture from skin — just 6 hours of indoor heating can enlarge pores, deepen wrinkles and cause rough, irritated texture.

Should I shower with hot or lukewarm water in winter? 

Lukewarm — hot water damages your skin’s natural barrier and causes moisture loss, which is a common cause of winter dryness and flaking.

When should I apply body lotion for the best results? 

Within 5 minutes of getting out of the shower or bath. A 2021 study by Ueda et al found applying lotion twice daily, especially post-bathing, significantly improves skin softness and moisture retention.

How much lotion should I actually use? 

About one pump per limb is enough — four pumps to cover both arms and legs, plus one for the chest and one for the back.

Can vitamin D deficiency affect my skin in winter? 

Yes — reduced sun exposure in winter (especially in southern Australia) is linked to vitamin D deficiency, which can show up as fatigue, low mood, and changes to skin or hair. Worth checking with your GP if you notice these signs.