Heating, cold, and dry air. Why does psoriasis hate winter, and how can you prepare for it? The seasons have a powerful impact on the condition of psoriasis-affected skin. While summer and exposure to UV radiation usually put the disease into remission, winter is a time when dermatologists’ offices are swamped with patients. Why does a drop in outside temperature worsen the condition of your skin so drastically?

Enemy Number One: TEWL and Heating

The biggest winter threat to skin affected by psoriasis isn’t the cold at all, but… radiators. Heating causes the humidity in our homes and offices to drop drastically. According to the laws of physics, the dry air in the environment begins to “draw” moisture from your skin as it seeks to restore moisture balance.

In dermatology, we call this phenomenon TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). In people with psoriasis, the skin’s protective barrier is inherently compromised, which means that water escapes from it much faster than in people with healthy skin. When the skin becomes extremely dehydrated, the cells of the epidermis (keratinocytes) “panic” and accelerate their division, leading to the rapid buildup of thick, cracking scales.

Winter Thermal Shock

Another factor is the constant change in environmental conditions. When you step out of a warm home into the cold, your blood vessels constrict rapidly. Your skin becomes less well-oxygenated and nourished. Added to this is the “friction effect” of thick winter clothing (sweaters, scarves), which mechanically irritates the skin, triggering the formation of new lesions.

Time for Winter Gear

To get through the winter with psoriasis, light, summer-style skincare must give way to more intensive protection. Psoriatic skin needs occlusion—a special, invisible protective layer that physically prevents moisture loss and shields the skin from friction caused by clothing.

Summary: That is precisely why MCS Laboratory’s specialized skincare products for psoriasis have been formulated with a high concentration of rich, nourishing ingredients. Our creams (both day and night) form a protective barrier on the skin’s surface. Importantly, MCS Laboratory products are packaged in technologically advanced airless containers. Because no air gets inside, the lipid-rich cream formulas retain their absolute freshness and maximum concentration of active ingredients, protecting your skin even in the harshest winter conditions.