As Kim Kardashian opens up about living with psoriasis on the latest season of The Kardashians, a UK skincare expert is warning that the colder months are prime flare-up season for anyone with inflammatory skin conditions.
According to Danielle Louise, beauty and skincare expert on Fresha, the world’s leading beauty and wellness booking platform, psoriasis isn’t just genetic — it’s often lifestyle-driven, and winter habits can make it worse.
“When the temperature drops, we lose humidity in the air, turn our heating up, and take longer, hotter showers — all of which strip the skin’s natural barrier,” says Danielle.
“Add in festive stress, rich food, and heavier alcohol intake, and it’s a perfect storm for inflammation.”
The Hidden Triggers of Psoriasis Flare-Ups
Danielle Louise on Fresha says the most common and overlooked causes at this time of year include:
- Hot showers & central heating – “Both dehydrate the skin, disrupting its barrier and triggering dryness that can lead to flare-ups.”
- Alcohol and sugar – “Christmas cocktails and desserts cause inflammation spikes, which can make psoriasis worse.”
- Stress and lack of sleep – “Stress hormones directly affect immune response — and psoriasis is an autoimmune condition.”
- Over-exfoliation – “Harsh scrubs or retinols can damage the skin barrier and worsen plaques.”
- Scented skincare & body washes – “Fragrances are irritants; opt for fragrance-free, barrier-repairing formulas instead.”
Danielle’s Psoriasis-Friendly Winter Skincare Tips
- Shorter, cooler showers – followed by immediate moisturising to lock in hydration.
- Humidify your home – helps counteract the dryness of central heating.
- Gentle exfoliation only – chemical exfoliants like lactic acid are better tolerated than scrubs.
- Barrier-repair ingredients – look for ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, and niacinamide.
- Book calming treatments – “LED light therapy, gentle facials, and lymphatic drainage can all support skin health without irritation,” says Danielle.
A Skin Condition That’s More Common Than You Think
Around 1 in 50 people in the UK live with psoriasis, but Danielle says salon professionals are increasingly being trained to recognise the signs and adapt treatments.
“More clients are being open about it thanks to people like Kim Kardashian — and that’s a good thing. The beauty industry has to respond with empathy, not judgement.”
Feature Image by Matteo Max Putzolu from Unsplash
