Winter Skin: Why Your Moisturiser Might Be Letting You Down (and How to Fix It)

Winter Skin: Why Your Moisturiser Might Be Letting You Down (and How to Fix It)

Cold wind outside, heaters blasting inside, and zero humidity anywhere in between?
Winter’s basically a full-time moisture thief.

And your skin? Dry. Tight. Dull. Maybe even doing the dreaded flaky thing.

This is why moisturising matters more than ever — but here’s the twist: slapping on “any old cream” won’t cut it.
In fact, most people (yes, even the ones buying the fancy stuff) are making at least one big moisturising mistake.

Let’s break it down and get your glow back on track.

Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Moisturiser for Your Skin

Your skin is unique — your moisturiser should be too.
Picking one at random is like wearing flip-flops in a snowstorm.

Dry Skin
Go rich and nourishing. Think balms or thick creams with ceramides, squalane, or shea butter.
💡 Try: PCA Skin Silk Coat Balm – Lush, fragrance-free, and deeply hydrating without heaviness.

Oily / Acne-Prone Skin
Skipping moisturiser? Big mistake. Dehydrated skin can trigger more oil and congestion.
💡 Try: Aspect Sheer Hydration – Weightless gel-cream that hydrates without clogging pores.

Combination Skin
Layer smart: hydrating serum first, lightweight moisturiser second. Adjust with the seasons.
💡 Try: Cosmedix Elite Alt-A – Lightweight hydrator with barrier support and a retinol alternative.

Sensitive Skin
Keep it calm: minimal ingredients, no fragrance, and a focus on barrier repair.
💡 Try: PCA Skin Après Peel Hydrating Balm – Rich, soothing, and comforting for reactive skin.

Mistake #2: Skipping Night-Time Moisturising

Your skin works overtime while you sleep — repairing, recovering, and renewing.
Support it with a nourishing night cream or sleeping mask 2–3 times per week.

💡 Try: Aspect Probiotic Mask – Overnight calming cream with barrier-boosting probiotics.

Mistake #3: Not Using Enough

A pea-sized blob won’t cut it.
If your skin feels tight or your makeup sits unevenly, you might be underdoing it.
Apply enough to coat your face, neck, and chest.

Mistake #4: All Fluff, No Function

A luxe texture is lovely, but the ingredients do the real work.
Look for a moisturiser with all three essentials:

  1. Humectants – Pull water in (hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol)

  2. Emollients – Smooth and soften (squalane, shea butter, ceramides)

  3. Occlusives – Lock moisture in (dimethicone, petrolatum, lanolin)

Absolute Bonus Tips

  • Wear SPF daily (yes, even in winter)

  • Use a hydrating mist before moisturiser

  • Keep hot showers short and avoid your face

The Bottom Line:
Winter skin isn’t about more products — it’s about smarter moisturising.
Pick the right texture for your skin type, layer strategically, and treat your barrier well for calm, hydrated, non-flaky skin all season long.