Winter is the time of year when skin tends to show its true colours, and usually, they’re dry, tight, and a little flaky. Cold winds, indoor heaters, and low humidity can take a toll, especially on the face. If you’ve noticed rough patches, itchiness, or dullness setting in each August, you’re definitely not alone. Hydrated summer skin can take a beating during winter, and even the most balanced skin types can swing dry when the conditions shift.
This is why your face moisturiser becomes the star of your skincare routine during colder months. But not all moisturisers are up for the job when your skin feels like sandpaper. Knowing how to pick a formula that delivers comfort, barrier support, and lasting hydration can change everything when your skin is struggling.
Understanding Winter's Impact on Skin
It doesn’t take long for winter air to start affecting your skin. The drop in both temperature and humidity means there’s less moisture available in your surroundings. At the same time, indoor heating zaps your skin’s hydration even further. Combined with harsh winds and long hot showers, it creates a perfect storm for very dry skin.
Here’s what’s actually happening:
1. Your skin’s barrier can weaken, making it harder to retain moisture.
2. Cold wind strips away protective oils that seal in hydration.
3. Dry indoor environments cause continual moisture evaporation.
4. Hot showers remove essential oils that your skin relies on to stay balanced.
The result is tightness around the cheeks, flakiness near the nose, and sometimes even redness or stinging in spots that were previously calm. You might feel like your usual routine is falling short, and that’s often true. Seasonal dryness calls for stronger, tailored support to keep your skin healthy and comfortable.
Choosing the Right Face Moisturiser for Very Dry Skin
The switch to a moisture-focused routine starts with one key product—a good face moisturiser made for very dry skin. The right one doesn’t just add hydration but helps your skin hold onto it. You want ingredients that restore comfort, soothe irritation, and reinforce your skin barrier.
Key ingredients to look for include:
1. Hyaluronic Acid
This ingredient attracts water to the skin and helps retain it, offering plumper and more hydrated skin fast.
2. Aloe Vera
Calms the skin while boosting hydration levels. It’s especially helpful for reducing that tight, itchy feeling after washing.
3. Shea Butter
A rich, nourishing ingredient that creates a physical barrier to stop moisture from escaping.
Native Australian botanicals also bring added benefits. With a long history of resilience in tough climates, plants like Wild Rosella, Snake Vine, and Kakadu Plum oil can support skin naturally. High in antioxidants and gentle by nature, these ingredients are ideal for skin needing repair, relief, and light protection without clogging pores.
Opting for these kinds of hydrating ingredients gives your skin a better fighting chance against dry air and sudden weather changes. The right moisturiser doesn’t just comfort—it improves the way your skin functions.
Featured Products for Combatting Dry Skin
Some moisturisers go the extra mile when winter hits, helping your skin feel better almost straight away while working over time to restore balance. Founder's Formula has several products that suit the seasonal shift, offering lightweight feel with deep care.
The Wild Rosella Hydrating Moisturiser is a top pick for daily use. This formula includes a mix of Wild Rosella, Aloe Vera, and Shea Butter to deliver moisture quickly and soothe dry areas on contact. It’s easy to apply and feels light on the skin, yet it delivers long-lasting results. If your face feels tight by midday or you notice patchiness after cleansing, this moisturiser can help reset balance fast. It’s also boosted with emollients that help lock in hydration and support the skin barrier. Antioxidant-rich Tasmanian Mountain Pepper adds calming support to keep flushes and redness under control.
Apply a small amount to freshly washed, slightly damp skin for the best results. Morning and night use keeps the hydration floored and ensures skin stays soft, even in cool, dry air.
If your skin is more mature, sensitive, or feeling the long-term effects of stress and dryness, the Snake Vine Super Anti-Oxidant Pro-Aging Moisturiser is worth considering. It contains the native Australian Snake Vine, a plant known for its potent antioxidant properties. This moisturiser focuses not just on hydration but also on cellular defence, aiming to support collagen and soothe fine lines caused by dryness. Though it’s rich and creamy, it sinks in easily, meaning you won’t be left with that heavy or greasy feeling.
Incorporate this moisturiser after cleansing and serum steps, both morning and night. It’s especially effective in routines where antioxidant support and long-lasting hydration are priorities.
To lock everything in and combat moisture loss overnight, the Botanical Barrier Balm (SLUG) is the perfect final touch. Acting as an occlusive layer, it locks down everything from serums to creams and helps skin repair as you sleep. Ingredients like Macadamia Oil and Cucumber Seed Oil provide added nourishment while the balm texture offers a breathable shield against dry air.
The balm works best when applied over your moisturiser on slightly damp skin. Focus on areas that feel extra dry like around the nose, cheeks, or lips. Used at night, it helps skin wake up soft and settled. For those who experience windburn or blotchy skin, this last step adds extra protection and comfort between temperature shifts.
Maximising Benefits of Your Face Moisturiser
Making the most of your moisturiser in cold weather has as much to do with how you use it as what’s inside the jar. Technique, timing, and consistency all play important roles in keeping very dry skin balanced.
Here are a few habits that can make a big difference:
- Use a non-drying cleanser as your starting point. Fragrance-free and low-foam options work well.
- Apply a serum or hydrating mist to damp skin. This creates the ideal base for your moisturiser to seal in water.
- Follow while your skin is still a bit wet from earlier steps. This helps hold the hydration in place.
- At night or in very dry conditions, finish with an occlusive like a barrier balm.
If your skin is particularly reactive, don’t be afraid to reapply during the day. Keep a lightweight moisturiser at your desk or in your bag, especially if you work in an office with constant AC or heating. Skin under stress from these systems tends to dry out by the afternoon, and a midday top-up can really help.
Using your moisturiser consistently is the final piece of the puzzle. Apply it after each cleanse and avoid long gaps between washing your face and using products. Hydrating your skin straight after cleansing locks in more moisture and maintains long-term comfort.
Keep Your Skin Hydrated This Winter
Dry, tight skin may be a common winter concern but that doesn’t mean it has to be your skin's reality. With the right face moisturiser for very dry skin, daily habits, and a little layering, you can keep your complexion feeling soft and resilient all season. Choosing products with familiar botanicals like Wild Rosella and Snake Vine can offer that gentle yet powerful care that makes your skin feel immediately better—and helps it cope better day after day.
If you’re waking up with a dry or stretched feeling, or notice discomfort growing over the colder weeks, it might be time to update your routine. A small change—a richer cream, a targeted balm, or a moment of extra care—can go a long way. For skin that feels calm, hydrated, and protected, explore moisturisers that are built for the season and see what difference it makes.
Struggling with winter dryness? A face moisturiser for very dry skin, like our Wild Rosella Hydrating Moisturiser at Founder's Formula, is designed to deliver deep hydration without the weight. Packed with calming botanicals and skin-loving emollients, it helps replenish moisture and keep your skin feeling soft, balanced, and protected through the colder months.