You know that first really cool morning when you step outside and realize fall has officially arrived?

Your skin notices too.

Maybe your hands suddenly feel tighter after washing them.

Your elbows look a little rougher.

Your legs feel dry after a shower.

The lotion that worked perfectly well a few months ago suddenly does not seem to be doing much.

You do not have to wait until the middle of winter, when your skin is already uncomfortable, to make a change.

The routine that carried you through summer may not be the routine your skin wants heading into colder weather.

As temperatures and humidity fall, skin can have a harder time holding on to moisture. Indoor heating can add to the problem once the weather gets cold enough to turn it on.

That does not mean you need to completely rebuild your body-care routine.

It may simply mean paying attention sooner.

If your skin starts feeling tight, rough, flaky, or itchy, those are signs that your current routine may need adjusting.

And sometimes the first adjustment is not adding another product.

It is changing what you are already doing.

When the weather cools down, the temptation to turn the shower temperature all the way up is real.

Unfortunately, your skin may not appreciate it as much as you do.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using warm rather than hot water and keeping showers relatively short when dealing with dry skin. Dermatologists also advise gently patting the skin dry rather than rubbing it aggressively with a towel.

So you do not have to give up the comforting fall shower.

Just maybe not one that feels like you are boiling yourself.

And when you step out?

Do not wait until your skin is completely dry before thinking about moisture.

One of the easiest changes you can make this season happens within a few minutes of getting out of the shower.

Dermatologists recommend applying moisturizer soon after bathing because it helps trap some of the water already on your skin.

This is also the time of year when you may notice that a very light product is no longer enough.

Moisturizers come in different forms, from lotions and creams to ointments, balms, and oils. The AAD notes that richer creams and ointments generally hold more moisture in the skin than thinner lotions, particularly when skin is very dry.

That does not mean everyone needs the heaviest product possible.

Pay attention to your own skin.

If your usual moisturizer is still doing the job, keep using it.

If you are applying it and feeling dry again an hour later, it may be time to adjust.

There are certain areas we tend to notice only after they become a problem.

Hands.

Elbows.

Knees.

Heels.

The skin around the ankles.

They may need a little more attention as the weather changes, especially if they are exposed to frequent washing, friction, or dry air.

And your hands deserve particular attention. Between handwashing, sanitizer, cooler weather, and everyday life, they can dry out quickly. Applying moisturizer after washing—while the skin is still slightly damp—can help.

The idea is simple:

Do not wait for discomfort before you respond.

If your skin is changing, let your routine change with it.

Start Before Winter Really Hits

Winter skin care is much easier when you do not spend the first few weeks trying to repair what you ignored in October.

You do not need an elaborate routine.

Take the shower temperature down a little.

Pay attention to how your skin feels afterward.

Moisturize before it is completely dry.

Give the rougher areas a little extra care.

And if what worked all summer is no longer working, switch it up.

Because by the time winter really arrives, your skin should not be begging you to notice it.

 

Sources

American Academy of Dermatology, Cold Weather and Your Skin.

American Academy of Dermatology, Dermatologists’ Top Tips for Relieving Dry Skin.

American Academy of Dermatology, How to Pick the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin