Ask most people with eczema when their skin is at its worst, and the answer usually comes down to the weather. But it isn't only cold winters that cause trouble. Heat, sweat and sudden changes between indoor and outdoor air can all set off a flare too, just through different routes. Understanding what each type of weather actually does to eczema-prone skin makes it much easier to stay ahead of it.
Why Cold Weather Triggers Flares
Cold air holds far less moisture than warm air, and central heating dries it out even further indoors. For skin that already struggles to hold onto moisture, that combination pulls water out of the skin faster than it can be replaced, weakening the barrier and making flares more likely. Hot showers and baths, which people often take more of in winter to warm up, add to the problem by stripping away natural oils on top of the moisture already being lost to the air.
Why Heat and Summer Can Also Be a Problem
Sweat is a common eczema trigger, and it's often overlooked because summer skin problems don't look the same as winter dryness. Sweat can irritate broken or inflamed skin directly, and the salt left behind as it dries can make itching worse. Chlorine from swimming pools, strong sun cream ingredients, and air conditioning, which dries indoor air almost as much as winter heating does, can all add to flares during warmer months.
Weather and Eczema: Quick Reference
| Weather | What It Does to Eczema-Prone Skin | What Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Cold, dry air | Pulls moisture out of skin faster than it can be replaced | Thicker oil-based moisturiser, applied more often |
| Central heating | Dries indoor air, similar effect to cold air outside | Humidifier where possible, moisturise after time indoors |
| Heat and sweat | Sweat irritates broken skin and increases itching | Breathable fabrics, rinse off sweat promptly, lighter moisturiser layer |
| Chlorine and sun cream | Chemical irritation on already sensitive skin | Rinse after swimming, choose fragrance-free sun protection |
| Sudden temperature changes | Moving between hot and cold environments can trigger flares | Layer clothing so you can adjust gradually |
A Simple Year-Round Approach
- Switch to a thicker, oil-based moisturiser in winter and a lighter layer in summer, but don't skip it in either season
- Keep showers lukewarm and short, whatever the weather
- Rinse off sweat and chlorine as soon as reasonably possible
- Use a humidifier in rooms with central heating running for long periods
- Choose fragrance-free sun protection and reapply after swimming or heavy sweating
Frequently Asked Questions
Does eczema only get worse in winter?
No. Cold, dry air and central heating are common winter triggers, but heat, sweat, chlorine and sun cream can trigger flares just as easily in summer, through different mechanisms.
Why does sweat make eczema itchier?
Sweat can irritate skin that's already broken or inflamed, and the salt left behind as sweat dries can intensify itching.
Should I use a different moisturiser depending on the season?
Many people find a thicker, oil-based moisturiser more comfortable in winter and a lighter layer in summer, but daily moisturising matters year-round either way.
Can air conditioning trigger eczema the same way as heating does?
Yes. Air conditioning reduces humidity indoors in a similar way to central heating in winter, which can dry out skin and contribute to flares.
The Bottom Line
Weather affects eczema in more than one way, cold air and heating dry skin out directly, while heat and sweat irritate it through a different route. Treating moisturising as a year-round habit, rather than a winter-only fix, is the most reliable way to stay ahead of both.
Sources
- NHS, "Atopic eczema"
- NHS, "Itchy skin"
- National Eczema Society, "Atopic eczema"
Ashleigh is not a medical professional and this article is not medical advice. It reflects personal and customer experience alongside published NHS and dermatology guidance. Ashleigh's Organics Body Butter is a cosmetic product, not a medicine, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent eczema or any other medical condition. If you have eczema, please follow the treatment plan given by your GP, dermatologist or health visitor.