When should you switch to a heavier moisturizer?

When your skin starts to feel tight, rough or flaky. For most people, that’s when the weather cools and the heat comes on, since both lower the humidity around you. Switch to a richer moisturizer, apply it while your skin is still slightly damp, and run a humidifier if you can.

Why does skin get drier in the colder months?

Dry skin comes down to water loss from the outer layer of your skin. Winter air tends to be drier, and indoors, central heating, space heaters and fireplaces lower the humidity further. That’s why a routine that felt fine in the summer can leave your skin feeling dry once the weather turns cool.

A humidifier can put some of that moisture back into the air. One running in your bedroom overnight works well, and we recommend cleaning it regularly to prevent mold.

How do you know it’s time to switch?

Your skin will usually tell you. Dry skin can feel tight, especially after washing, and can look rough or flaky. If your face feels tight again an hour after you moisturize, or you start to see small flakes, that’s your cue. For many people, it happens around the time you layer on a jacket, but we recommend going by how your skin feels rather than a set date.

What counts as a heavier moisturizer?

Moisturizers come as lotions, creams and ointments, from lightest to heaviest. Dermatologists consider creams and ointments more effective than lotions for dry skin because they add more moisture.

Switching can look different for different people. Some swap their usual lotion for a cream, which is what we do once the heat comes on. Others keep their daytime routine and add a thicker moisturizer at night.

When should you put it on?

Right after you wash, while your skin is still slightly damp. Dermatologists recommend moisturizing damp skin rather than waiting for it to dry completely. For most people, that means morning and night, right after you wash your face or step out of the shower.

That makes drying off part of the step. Dermatologists suggest patting your face dry with a clean, dry towel, leaving a little moisture behind, then applying your moisturizer right away. A towel that’s been hanging damp in the bathroom for days doesn’t quite fit that description, which is one reason we made ours single-use: a fresh, dry towel right before your moisturizer goes on.

Why does a product sting when my skin is dry?

Dry skin is more easily irritated, so a product that never bothered you in the summer can sting in the winter. While your skin is dry, dermatologists suggest pausing products that contain alcohol, fragrance or retinoids. If anything you apply keeps burning or stinging, or your skin stays dry after you’ve adjusted your routine, we recommend seeing a dermatologist. Persistent dryness can be a sign of an underlying skin condition.

Sources

1. American Academy of Dermatology. “Dermatologists’ top tips for relieving dry skin.” Last updated January 2, 2026.
2. Cleveland Clinic. “Dry Skin.” Last reviewed June 23, 2022.
3. Mayo Clinic News Network. “Home Remedies: Skin tends to be driest in winter.” Accessed October 12, 2026.