Naturally, your skin is affected by seasonal changes. Dryness is one of the most common skin issues, especially during fall and winter, and it comes with annoying symptoms such as: 

1. Skin tightness

2. Roughness

3. Itching

4. Skin flaking (from mild to severe)

5. Superficial or deep cracks

6. Cracked appearance, especially on the legs

7. Redness in fair skin or greyish tone in dark skin

8. Deep cracks that might bleed

Know Your Skin Barrier

The skin barrier is the protective shield and outer layer of the skin that protects and retains moisture. It comprises dead cells, fats, and proteins enhanced with cholesterol, ceramides, and fatty acids for effective functioning.

Keep Your Skin Barrier Healthy

The scientifically and medically proven key to maintaining the skin barrier is hydration.

Keep Your Skin Hydrated

Limit your shower to 5 to 10 minutes to help hydrate your dry skin. When humidity drops or you feel your skin becoming dry, make sure to:

• Close the bathroom door.
• Use warm water instead of hot water.
• Reduce your shower time to 5 or 10 minutes.
• Wash your body with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.
• Use an appropriate amount of body wash to remove dirt and oils without creating excessive lather.
• Pat your skin dry gently.
• Apply a moisturiser immediately after drying.

• Lock in skin moisture by moisturising after exposure to water.
• Consider your skin type; You may need to change your moisturizer periodically. If your skin doesn’t improve or worsens with signs like redness and itching, consider switching to a stronger moisturizer with specific ingredients, which we'll discuss later.

• Polyols, glycols, and glycerin: Hydrating agents that draw in and retain moisture.
• Hyaluronic acid: Maintains skin elasticity and hydration.
• Essential fatty acids: Provide energy for cell functions and help lock in moisture.
• Ceramides: Maintain and repair the skin barrier function.
• Shea butter: Moisturizes the skin and reduces inflammation.
• Sodium PCA: Retains moisture and has anti-aging properties.
• Cocoa Butter: Moisturizes and prevents dryness.
• Aloe Vera: Boosts collagen production and improves skin elasticity.

It’s worth noting that most moisturizers are enhanced with these ingredients like:

• Jojoba oil
• Dimethicone
• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic acid
• Lactic acid
• Lanolin
• Mineral oil
• Petroleum jelly
• Shea butter

Best Moisturizers for Different Skin Conditions

For Very Dry Skin: Very dry skin is often cracked and flaky and can be associated with medical conditions like diabetes, psoriasis, or keratosis pilaris (chicken skin).

Here are some recommended products with ingredients like urea, ceramides, and natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) that attract moisture to the skin and repair the barrier:

1. Eucerin Urea Repair PLUS 10% Urea Lotion: Provides up to 48 hours of hydration.
2. Uriage Xemose Pso Concentrate Care: Helps with skin flaking and itching, especially for psoriasis and keratosis pilaris.
3. Isis Secalia Ultra Body Lotion 200 ml: For very dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin. 

Daily Moisturizers to Prevent Dryness: We need fast-absorbing, non-greasy, and effective moisturizers for daily use. Here are some recommendations:

1. Flexitol Anti Itch Soothing Cream 85G: Quickly absorbs and hydrates. 
2. Topicrem Mela Lightening Ultra Moisturizing Body: A creamy, lightweight formula with a pleasant fragrance.
3. Isis Secalia Ultra Body Lotion 200 ML: Provides hydration and protection, especially against unclean water, chlorine, and friction from clothing.
4. Nivea Nourishing Body Lotion 250 ml: Suitable for daily use with a pleasant scent.

Conclusion

By following these tips and incorporating a consistent skincare routine, you can effectively protect your skin from harsh weather conditions and maintain a healthy, hydrated complexion. Remember, everyone's skin is unique, so it may take some trial and error to find the products and routine that work best for you. If you have persistent skin concerns, consult with a dermatologist.