Common Traits of People Who Develop More Dry Fine Lines｜Winter Care to Do / Care to Avoid
Dry fine lines suddenly increase in winter.
Glancing in the mirror before morning makeup, you notice more fine lines around your eyes and mouth, with foundation settling into those creases——.
It’s easy to dismiss this as simply a sign of aging, but
those who share common habits in how they spend their winter and their skincare routines tend to notice these fine dry lines more prominently.
This time, from the perspective of Yokohama Yamate Clinic
“Common patterns among those prone to them” → “Care to Do / Care to Avoid in Winter”
We’ll organize this in the following order.
1｜Common traits of people prone to dry fine lines
Common Point ①: Trying to solve it by simply “adding more moisturizer”
When concerned about dry fine lines,
・Increase the number of times you apply toner
・Apply cream thickly
people often lean toward “covering it up with quantity.”
But,
- You’re washing your face too much in the first place
- The barrier is damaged, preventing moisture from staying inside
In this state, no matter how many layers you apply, it often becomes just a temporary fix. Over time, it tends to revert back to its original condition…
Common Point ② Applying ‘Friction’ and “Drying” Simultaneously
Specifically, it looks like this pattern.
- Rubbing vigorously during cleansing
- Rubbing vigorously when drying your face with a towel
- Masks or scarves constantly rubbing against the skin
- On top of that, spending long hours in dry, air-conditioned rooms
“Friction + Dryness” creates the perfect conditions for wrinkles to form.
Areas with frequent movement, like around the eyes, mouth, and nasolabial folds, accumulate damage more easily.
Common Point #3: Long “Smartphone Time” at Night and Shallow Sleep
Skin recovery progresses most during sleep.
However, spending long periods on your phone in bed can cause:
- Delayed sleep onset
- Shallow sleep occurs
- The autonomic nervous system cannot rest
As a result, the rhythm of skin turnover becomes disrupted, making it difficult to improve both dryness and fine lines.
Common Point ④ “Inner Care Tends to Be Put Off”
In winter, it’s inevitable that:
- You tend to eat fewer vegetables
- We tend to eat more sweets and greasy foods
- There are also more opportunities to drink alcohol
This is a season when nutritional balance tends to become skewed.
If you lack nutrients like protein, vitamins, and zinc that support skin elasticity and barrier function, your skin will become “hard to restore” no matter how much effort you put in externally.
① First, Switch to a Gentler Cleansing Routine
The first step in tackling dryness-induced fine lines is revisiting your cleansing routine before focusing on moisturizing.
- Keep cleansing brief and avoid rubbing
- In the morning, depending on your skin condition, “lukewarm water + gentle cleansing” is sufficient
- Use lukewarm water that feels slightly cool, not hot water
If your skin feels tight after washing,
Consider this a sign that the previous step—cleansing—is being overdone. Please reevaluate.
② Not just “adding moisture,” but “stopping evaporation”
For combating dryness-induced fine lines,
- Use toner or serum to deliver moisture + hydrating ingredients
- Seal it in with emulsions or creams to prevent moisture loss
These two steps are crucial.
- For areas that move frequently, like around the eyes and mouth, gently blend in using the pads of your fingers
- Aim for indoor humidity levels around 40-60%.
- Adjust the position of your air conditioner so the airflow doesn’t hit your face directly.
- Simple measures like using a humidifier at night or placing a glass of water by your pillow are also effective
- Protein from eggs, fish, soy products, chicken, etc.
- Vitamin C and beta-carotene from vegetables and fruits
- Zinc, abundant in shellfish and lean meats
- Frequently using physical scrubs
- Daily use of strong wipe-off cleansers
- Rubbing to try to eliminate dark circles
- Pulling skin upward forcefully for a lifting effect
- It easily washes away natural oils and moisture
- causing your skin to dry out rapidly afterward
- Use water that feels “slightly lukewarm”
- Quickly warm up in a short time rather than taking a long bath
- Apply moisturizer within 5 to 10 minutes after getting out
- First, secure an extra 30 minutes of sleep time
- Reduce smartphone use right before bed
- Avoid caffeine 1-2 hours before bedtime
- Gentle Cleansing (Avoid Over-Cleansing)
- Moisturizing that considers hydration + barrier protection together
- Controlling indoor humidity and temperature
- Diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals
- Overly harsh peeling or scrubbing during cleansing
- Excessive massage around the eyes and mouth
- Long, hot baths
- Relying on caffeine when sleep-deprived
Instead of focusing on “adding moisture,” imagine “creating skin that holds onto moisture.” This shift in mindset will change the products you choose.
③ Make Air Your Ally: Controlling Humidity and Temperature
Simply reducing the “time air dries your skin” can change how much your skin feels tight in the morning.
④ Supplement “Firming Ingredients” from Within Your Body
You don’t need to be perfect at every meal, but
It’s important to consciously add nutrients that build the foundation of your skin, such as these.
If you feel “it’s just too hard to get enough from food alone,”
consider combining supplements or IV drips tailored to your lifestyle and physical condition. (It’s recommended to choose these in consultation rather than self-administering large amounts).
3｜Winter Care to Avoid
NG① Continuing “Strong Peeling & Scrubbing Cleansing” in Winter
Even if you’re concerned about roughness or dullness,
Such care can accelerate the appearance of dryness lines.
On days when your skin feels “slightly stinging” or “prone to redness,” it’s crucial to
temporarily pause aggressive treatments and allow time to rebuild your skin barrier.
NG② Over-Massaging the Eye and Mouth Areas
Wrinkles make you want to stretch them out, but…
These actions become triggers for increasing fine lines due to friction damage.
For the eye area, use barely perceptible pressure—think “barely touching”—and instead of pulling upward, imagine “gently sweeping inward to outward.” This level of gentleness, where it feels almost like you’re not touching but still effective, is actually the best approach.
NG③ Taking “long, hot baths” just because it’s cold
While it warms your body,
This is one downside.
Just these steps will make a significant difference in how your skin feels after bathing.
NG④ Continuously “Relying on Caffeine to Get Through Sleep Deprivation”
Coffee and energy drinks themselves aren’t the problem, but continuing with “lack of sleep + relying on caffeine” reduces your chances to recover in the first place.
Even small improvements in sleep quality can change how dry fine lines fade.
4｜Summary｜Dry Fine Lines Change More with “Winter Routine Design” Than “Age”
Dry fine lines aren’t solely determined by age or body type; they’re also an area where winter skincare and lifestyle choices can significantly alter their visibility.
➡️ Essential Care Steps
➡️ Care Practices to Avoid
If you feel like “the same wrinkles appear in the same places every winter,” simply addressing these points one by one can make a noticeable difference in your skin come spring.
☝️If you still don’t see improvement, or if you can’t tell whether it’s fine lines or sagging, another option is to have your skin condition thoroughly assessed. We can then work together to build a care plan tailored to your current skin (revising your skincare routine, adding treatments or nutritional care as needed).
If you’re thinking, “This winter, I really want to tackle these dry fine lines,” we’d be delighted if you’d consider Yokohama Yamate Clinic, a cosmetic dermatology clinic in Naka Ward, Yokohama, as one place for a casual consultation.
