Stepping outside on a windy day can feel refreshing, but it can also leave your skin red, tight, and irritated. Wind burn is more common than many realize. In fact, a 2022 survey by the American Academy of Dermatology found that over 45% of adults reported experiencing skin irritation from harsh weather conditions at least once a year. Understanding how to treat wind burn on your face and body helps keep your skin calm, protected, and healthy, even after hours in harsh weather.
This guide will break down what wind burn is, why it happens, how it differs from sunburn, and most importantly, 10 effective ways to treat it.
What Causes Wind Burn and How It Affects Your Skin
Wind burn happens when cold, dry air removes the natural oils that keep your skin soft and protected. Without them, your skin loses moisture and becomes irritated. Without them, your skin can become dry, red, and inflamed.
Common causes include:
- Cold weather combined with strong wind
- Outdoor sports like skiing, cycling, or running in windy conditions
- Spending long hours outside without protective clothing
- Having naturally sensitive skin or conditions like eczema
Windburn symptoms can include:
- Redness and flushed skin
- Tight or stretched feeling on the face or body
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Dryness, flaking, or peeling
- Slight swelling in more severe cases
Wind Burn vs Sunburn
It’s easy to confuse wind burn with sunburn since both can leave your skin red and irritated, but their causes and treatments are quite different. Wind burn happens when cold, dry air and strong wind strip moisture from your skin, leading to tightness, redness, and flaking. Treating it mainly involves restoring hydration and soothing the skin with moisturizers, oils, or cool compresses.
Sunburn, on the other hand, is caused by overexposure to the sun’s UV rays, which can result in redness, pain, swelling, and peeling. Treating sunburn focuses on cooling the skin, reducing inflammation, and repairing UV-related damage. It’s important to note that wind burn can make your skin more vulnerable to sunburn because it weakens the protective barrier, so applying sunscreen is essential even in cold, windy conditions.
10 Ways to Get Rid of Windburn on Face and Body
Windburn can feel uncomfortable, but with consistent care, your skin can recover quickly. Here are 10 ways to get rid of windburn on your face and body, expanded with actionable steps and tips.
1. Cleanse Gently
Start by washing your skin with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. Lukewarm water is best because hot water can strip your skin of the little moisture it still has, making windburn worse. Massage the cleanser gently in circular motions, then rinse with care. Skip scrubbing or using rough cloths. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel to avoid irritating already sensitive, wind-burned areas.
2. Apply a Rich Moisturizer
Right after cleansing, apply a rich, emollient moisturizer to lock in hydration. This step is essential since wind burn dries out your skin and weakens its natural barrier. Look for products containing petroleum jelly, shea butter, ceramides, or glycerin. Apply generously to affected areas, including cheeks, forehead, neck, and hands. Reapply throughout the day if your skin still feels tight or dry. Moisturizing consistently helps your skin heal faster and prevents peeling or cracking.
3. Use Cool Compresses
A cool, damp cloth can provide immediate relief for burning, red skin. Apply it to your face or body for 10–15 minutes at a time, up to a few times a day. Cool compresses reduce inflammation and soothe the stinging sensation of windburn. You can also use chilled aloe vera gel or cucumber slices for a natural cooling effect. Don’t place ice directly on your skin, since the intense cold can make irritation worse instead of soothing it.
4. Hydrate from the Inside
Windburn doesn’t just affect the surface of your skin, your body’s hydration levels play a big role. Make sure to drink enough water throughout the day to restore moisture from within. Herbal teas and hydrating foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges can help too. Keeping your body hydrated supports plump, healthy skin and reduces dryness or tightness. Dehydration can slow recovery and make windburn symptoms feel worse.
5. Avoid Harsh Products
Windburned skin is fragile, so this isn’t the time for alcohol-based toners, scrubs, or strong exfoliants. These products can remove your skin’s natural oils, leading to more redness and irritation. It’s also best to pause retinoids or acne treatments until your skin recovers. Use only mild, soothing products while your wind burn heals.
6. Try Over-the-Counter Creams
For areas that feel especially inflamed or painful, a 1% hydrocortisone cream can help reduce redness and discomfort. Apply a light layer to the affected skin once or twice a day at most. Follow the product’s directions carefully, and avoid using it on your face for long periods unless advised by a healthcare professional. For added comfort, combine with a gentle moisturizer to lock in hydration.
7. Use Protective Oils
Natural oils can be a helpful part of your routine when soothing wind burn. Options like coconut, jojoba, or almond oil add deep hydration and support your skin’s barrier as it heals. Apply a thin layer after moisturizing to seal in moisture. These oils also create a light protective layer that shields skin from further dryness caused by wind exposure. For sensitive skin, patch test first to ensure no irritation.
8. Cover Up
Prevention during recovery is as important as treatment. Use scarves, hats, gloves, and long sleeves to shield affected areas from ongoing wind exposure. Even mild wind can slow healing if the skin is continually exposed. For your face, a soft scarf or balaclava can make a big difference. Layering clothing and using breathable fabrics will protect your skin without causing irritation.
9. Moisturize Overnight
Nighttime is prime recovery time for your skin. Before bed, apply a thicker layer of moisturizer or ointment so your skin can focus on repairing itself overnight. Products containing lanolin, shea butter, or ceramides are especially effective. Sleeping on a soft pillowcase and avoiding tight clothing over affected areas can also reduce friction and irritation.
10. Consider a Humidifier
Indoor air in winter or during windy months is often dry, which can worsen windburn. A humidifier helps restore moisture to the air, making it easier for your skin to stay hydrated. Keep one running in your bedroom at night or in rooms where you spend the most time. Keeping indoor humidity around 40–60% can make a noticeable difference in healing and preventing flare-ups.
Caring for Your Skin After Wind Exposure
Wind burn may seem like a minor nuisance, but it’s really a reminder of how sensitive and adaptable our skin is. Taking the time to care for it not only helps it recover faster but also teaches you to be more mindful of your skin’s needs in harsh conditions.
Beyond creams, oils, and moisturizers, it’s about building habits that protect your skin and prevent damage before it starts, hydrating properly, layering wisely, and listening to what your skin is telling you. When you treat wind burn with attention and consistency, you’re not just healing red or irritated skin, you’re strengthening your skin’s resilience for every windy day ahead.