Flu and Dry Skin: When Hydration (Inside and Out) Becomes Essential

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1. A Skin in Total Distress
2. Dryness Like Never Before
3. Why Does Skin Get So Dry When You Have the Flu?
4. Persistent Dryness
5. What I Did to Limit the Damage
   1. Drinking Lots of Water 
   2. Keeping Skincare to the Bare Minimum 
   3. Last Step: The SOS Mask 
6. Why Haven’t I Gone Back to My Regular Routine?
7. So, What’s Next?

A week ago, the flu completely knocked me out. Fever, chills, body aches, extreme fatigue… all I wanted to do was sleep and wait for it to pass. During that time, my usual skincare routine, which is normally a non-negotiable part of my day, was pushed aside.

What I didn’t anticipate was how much my skin would suffer. From the very first days, it started feeling tight, dry, and uncomfortable… and even now, a week later, I’m still feeling the effects.

A Skin in Total Distress

Normally, I have a pretty well-established routine: a gentle cleanser, hydrating serum, nourishing cream, tretinoin and other active ingredients, sometimes even a mask for good measure. But when I was sick, all of that became impossible.

First of all, I was bedridden. When it’s hard to even get up to grab a glass of water, there’s no way you’re going to be standing in front of the mirror, going through a multi-step routine. Then, my skin just felt “off.” Instead of my usual complexion, I was faced with an ultra-dry, irritated, almost flaky face. Applying my usual skincare just felt unnecessary, even uncomfortable.

Dryness Like Never Before

I’ve been sick before (colds, fatigue, etc.) but this flu… this was a whole different level. Chills, malaise, extreme tiredness, muscle pain… my body was completely wiped out. But what really surprised me was how much my skin suffered this time.

This was the first time my skin got this dry due to the flu. And when I thought about it, it was probably because it was also my first real flu since finishing my Roaccutane treatment. I finished the treatment almost three years ago, but I still feel some of the side effects, particularly dry skin.

Roaccutane is known to dry out the skin deeply, and even long after the treatment, the skin barrier can remain more fragile. So, did my skin react even more severely to the flu because of this? Honestly, I think so.

I felt a constant tightness, intense dry patches, and my skin was visibly peeling around my nose and eyebrows. My cheeks felt tight, as if I’d forgotten to apply cream for a week. It was an uncomfortable, almost painful sensation. It felt like no matter what I did, my skin just wouldn’t feel comfortable.

Ultimately, I had an instinctive need: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Not with just any product, but something rich, a thick balm, to create a real protective barrier.

Why Does Skin Get So Dry When You Have the Flu?

There are a few reasons why the skin suffers so much when you’re sick, especially with the flu. First, dehydration: when your body fights the virus, it uses a lot more water to regulate your temperature (especially with a fever) and activate your immune system. The result? If you’re not drinking enough, your skin will quickly feel the consequences, becoming dry and dull.

Then, breathing through your mouth (something that’s almost inevitable when you have a stuffy nose) not only dries out your throat but also the skin around your lips and nose, sometimes causing cracks or irritation.

Lastly, the lack of skincare and the dry air make things worse. When you’re bedridden with the flu, you rarely have the energy or desire to follow your regular skincare routine. Plus, the winter heating dries out the air, which worsens skin dehydration.

Persistent Dryness

The worst part was that this dryness didn’t stop once the flu was over. Even after I got my energy back, my skin still felt like it was in crisis. Redness, constant discomfort… I felt like my skin barrier had been completely destroyed and was struggling to heal.

And with winter well underway, things didn’t get any better. Where I live, the temperatures are freezing, and the dry, cold air only made it worse. I couldn’t get my soft, hydrated skin back.

What I Did to Limit the Damage

Facing this ongoing dryness, I felt the need to go back to the basics: hydrate my body inside and out.

Drinking Lots of Water 

Normally, I don’t drink a ton of water. I don’t know why, but my body seems to get by on what I do drink. However, during the flu, I had an overwhelming need to drink. I was thirsty all the time. My body was begging for more hydration, and I realized that this was also benefiting my skin.

So, I started drinking a lot more than usual, incorporating not just water but also herbal teas and warm lemon water. I really made an effort to increase my daily water intake, which helped me feel better physically and helped my skin as well.

Keeping Skincare to the Bare Minimum 

Honestly, I didn’t have the energy or desire to do a full routine. For three days, I just washed my face with water, no cleanser! I was stuck in bed, not going anywhere, so I figured it wasn’t the end of the world. No serum, no exfoliation: my skin was already suffering, and I didn’t want to make it worse.

So yes, I wasn’t using a cleanser because I simply didn’t have the energy, but I still made sure to hydrate. My cream and lip balm were on my bedside table, and I’d quickly apply them whenever I could…

That was all I could do during those three days when I was totally out of it. What mattered most was hydration. Given the state of my skin, I knew I needed thicker, more nourishing textures.

I usually use body balms, but this time, I opted for a very rich lotion that’s close to a balm:

🧴 Eucerin pH5 Body Lotion for Dry and Sensitive Skin (400 ml, pump)

• It’s a moisturizing lotion, but unlike other lotions that I find too liquid (which I’m not a fan of), this one is thicker and almost balm-like.

• It’s economical: 16,17€ for 400ml, which is a great value for the amount.

• With all the skincare I use daily, I needed a richer cream for my face, and this lotion allows me to hydrate my body without needing to apply three layers.

💋 For My Ultra-Dry Lips: Carmex Naturally Watermelon (Intensely Hydrating Lip Balm) 

• I’ve had a long relationship with this lip balm: it’s the one that saved me during my Roaccutane treatment.

• Since then, I’ve sworn by it, and once again, it worked wonders, keeping my lips hydrated despite the flu and the cold.

Last Step: The SOS Mask 

Now that I’m feeling much better and my skin is starting to recover, I remembered a Korean ceramide mask I had lying around. I think now’s the perfect time to use it and give my skin a real boost. I’ll let you know how it goes once I’ve tried it!

PS: I’ll dive deeper into these products in an upcoming post; my thoughts, the ingredients, and what makes them (or not) essential for me.

Why Haven’t I Gone Back to My Regular Routine?

Even though my skin is slowly recovering, I still haven’t found the motivation to jump back into my usual routine. Three main reasons:

1. Post-illness Laziness: Once you put a habit aside, it’s hard to get back into it. I’ve gotten used to doing the bare minimum, and I haven’t quite felt like doing more yet.
2. Doubts About My Products: After seeing my skin react so differently, I’m wondering if my old products still suit me. Maybe I need a routine more tailored to winter?
3. Extreme Cold: With freezing temperatures, I’m afraid that going back to too active or too light skincare will only make the dryness worse.

So, What’s Next?

After going through this flu experience, I really wanted to share my story. It’s not just about skincare; it’s a realization that skin is fragile, and sometimes you have to listen to it and give it a break.

Writing this article allowed me to reflect not only on how I took care of my skin during the flu but also on the impact of Roaccutane. The side effects don’t vanish once the treatment ends, and I’ve noticed that my skin, already drier, reacted more intensely to the flu.

I’m not claiming to have a miracle solution, but what I’ve learned from this experience is not to panic. The key is to listen to your body and adjust your habits based on its needs. My skin has become much more sensitive than before, and right now, I’m focusing on simple skincare: hydrate, protect, and simplify my routine.

One week after the flu, I’m still reflecting: should I slowly ease back into a full routine? Or stick with my minimalist approach? Is this the right time to try richer products for winter?

What I’ve realized is that our skin is a reflection of our overall health. The flu didn’t just exhaust me physically, it completely threw my skin off balance. Rather than forcing myself back to my old routine, I’m choosing to listen to its new needs.

Have you ever had a similar experience? How does your skin react after being sick?

Take care of yourselves!

See you soon, Beautifulluy Moi!