"Human skin has evolved to retain water, thanks to a protective barrier on its surface. But that barrier isn't totally watertight. Water is constantly moving across it, depending on the humidity of the surrounding air. Skin tends to be most comfortable at a relative humidity of about 40%. When the air around us is drier than that, water is more likely to leave the skin. That matters because the process of water escaping across the skin barrier is mildly inflammatory."
"Craythorne says central heating can cause these reactions because it creates a warm but very dry environment, especially if it's been on hot all day with no ventilation. But she says it's not the only culprit for irritation in the winter. Cold outdoor air can be even more drying as it naturally holds less moisture and wind makes things worse by speeding up the evaporation of both water and the skin's natural oils."
Human skin retains water via a protective surface barrier, but water still moves across it according to surrounding humidity. Skin is most comfortable at around 40% relative humidity; drier air increases water loss and triggers mild inflammation. Water loss causes skin dryness, slight blood vessel dilation and redness, cytokine-driven inflammatory responses, and nerve irritation that can feel itchy. Central heating, cold outdoor air, and wind accelerate evaporation and oil loss. People with eczema or rosacea are more susceptible. Measures to protect skin include cooler heating, humidifiers, soap-free creamy cleansers, and fragrance-free occlusive moisturizers containing ceramides and glycerin.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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