Why Seasonal Shifts Matter for Your Skin
There’s a certain moment in late autumn when you feel it: the air feels colder and drier, the humidity drops, and the wind bites a little sharper. Even before the frost arrives, your skin begins to notice the change.
That light lotion you used for summer may now leave your face or limbs feeling tight, dull or slightly irritated. The drier air, lower humidity and harsher winds all conspire to sap moisture from your skin more rapidly. In short: your skin barrier may need a little extra help.
So, is it time to switch to thicker creams? In many cases, yes – especially if your skin is showing signs of dryness, flaking, sensitivity or discomfort. Transitioning your skincare and bodycare regime to richer formulations can help preserve hydration, repair barrier function, and buffer against external stresses.
What Makes a “Thicker Cream” Different?
To understand why a richer cream may help, it's useful to contrast it with lighter formulations.
- Light lotions / gels / milks: mostly water-based, fast-absorption, often ideal for warm months or humid climates.
- Thicker creams / balms / emollient blends: contain higher levels of oils, butters or waxes; more emollient and occlusive – helping to lock in moisture and reinforce the skin barrier.
During colder seasons, moisture evaporates more quickly from the epidermis (a phenomenon called transepidermal water loss)[1]. Richer creams help counteract this by creating a semi-occlusive film that reduces that water loss and gives the skin more breathing room to repair itself.
They also cushion against environmental triggers, reducing inflammation, calming sensitivity and helping with conditions like dermatitis (or flare-ups in drier skin). Over time, a cream that nurtures barrier repair can make your skin more resilient to temperature swings, wind and indoor heating.
What Herbal and Natural Ingredients Should You Look For?
At Napiers, we believe in harnessing the gentle efficacy of botanicals. When choosing a richer cream or balm, here are key ingredients to seek (and why):
- Shea Butter: richly nourishing and protective, ideal for sealing in moisture without being overly greasy.
- Calendula: soothing, supports skin repair and reduces irritation.
- Chamomile: calming and anti-inflammatory, helpful during seasonal transition when skin can flare or become reactive.
- Evening Primrose Oil / Rosehip Oil: rich in essential fatty acids (like linoleic acid), aiding barrier health in colder seasons.
- Plant Waxes / Beeswax: create a breathable but protective film that helps reduce water loss.
- Oat or Colloidal Oat Extract: acts as a humectant and soother, calming redness and supporting hydration.
These botanicals, when formulated thoughtfully, allow a cream to be richer yet still kind to sensitive skin (reducing risk of irritation). They are especially useful during autumn and early winter when your skin’s defences are under strain.
Skincare Recommendations:
When we shift into cooler seasons, the face often shows the first signs of stress: tightness, dryness, occasional flakiness or redness. Here’s how you can adapt with the right products (and a few layering tips).
Always patch test new areas, especially if your skin is prone to dermatitis or inflammation. Introduce changes slowly over a week or two to allow your skin to adjust.
1. Cleanse
As the weather cools, your first skincare step should focus on comfort and care. Swap foaming or gel cleansers, which can strip away natural oils, for a balm or cream cleanser that removes impurities while supporting hydration.
Try: Napiers Oat Cleansing Balm
This herbal balm-to-oil cleanser melts away makeup, sunscreen, and daily build-up while soothing and hydrating the skin. Formulated with Scottish oat extract, it helps calm irritation, support the skin barrier, and reduce redness – perfect as the air turns colder and drier.
The balm transforms into a silky oil as you massage it onto dry skin, gently dissolving impurities without disrupting the skin’s natural moisture balance. Peach kernel, wheat germ, and jojoba oils provide deep nourishment and antioxidant protection, leaving the skin soft, clean, and radiant. It’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
For more information on why cleansing balms are a must, read more here.
2. Exfoliate
Colder weather can lead to a build-up of dead skin cells, making your complexion appear dull while blocking moisture absorption. Choose a mild exfoliant, either a gentle enzyme-based formula or a fine physical scrub. Avoid harsh acids or over-exfoliating, which can worsen dryness or trigger inflammation. Exfoliating once or twice a week is usually enough to keep skin smooth and balanced.
Tip: Always follow exfoliation with hydration – avoid leaving skin bare.
3. Serum
After cleansing and exfoliating, apply a light hydrating serum to attract moisture and support your skin barrier. During colder months, the right serum can help brighten dull winter skin, defend against environmental stressors, and maintain hydration.
This lightweight, fast-absorbing serum is formulated with stabilised Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and botanical extracts to restore radiance and even out skin tone. It helps protect against free radicals caused by cold weather, pollution, and daily stress while hydrating deeply for a fresher, smoother complexion.
The serum features Stay-C® 50 (sodium ascorbyl phosphate), a gentle yet effective form of Vitamin C that brightens dull skin, improves uneven tone, and supports firmness without irritation. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin replenish moisture, while gotu kola and liquorice root calm and balance the skin – ideal when skin is more reactive during colder, drier months. Light botanical oils such as jojoba and argan condition and soften, while MSM and Vitamin E offer antioxidant support.
Tip: Apply while the skin is still slightly damp to help lock in hydration.
To learn more about Vitamin C and its benefits within skincare, read our blog here.
4. Eye Cream
The skin around the eyes is delicate and usually one of the first areas to show dryness or fatigue. A nourishing yet lightweight eye cream can help smooth and protect this delicate area. To learn more about why eye cream is important, discover more in our guide.
Try: Napiers Speedwell Ageless Eye Gel
This refreshing gel cools, soothes, and hydrates tired eyes. Formulated with Scottish speedwell and Hebridean seaweed, it helps reduce puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines. Research also shows that it can reduce wrinkles within just 28 days. Cucumber, aloe vera, and green tea extracts add extra cooling and antioxidant support, making it ideal for morning and evening use.
Tip: Pat gently with your finger to avoid tugging or rubbing the skin. Also, for extra refreshment, store in the fridge before applying.
5. Moisturiser
Finish with a richer moisturiser to lock in hydration and protect your skin from the cold, dry air. A well-formulated cream helps strengthen the skin barrier, soften texture, and keep your complexion comfortable throughout the season.
Try: Napiers Rowan Moisture Formula
This deeply hydrating cream is enriched with Scottish rowan berries, macadamia oil, shea butter, and seaweed extracts to nourish and protect all skin types, including sensitive skin. Naturally high in Vitamin C, the rowan berries help to brighten and defend against environmental stress, while lion’s mane mushroom and speedwell support firmness and skin renewal.
Light yet nourishing, this formula delivers long-lasting hydration without heaviness, helping the skin stay smooth, supple, and radiant through colder months.
Bodycare: Head-to-Toe Comfort
Seasonal skincare isn’t just about your face – the rest of your body deserves attention, too. Cold air, low humidity and frequent washing can leave hands, feet and limbs feeling dry or rough.
Here are some product recommendations:
This deeply moisturising cream is enriched with castor oil, jojoba, and tamanu to nourish rough, dry areas and support the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Despite its rich texture, it absorbs easily without residue, leaving skin feeling soft, supple, and balanced. Gentle and soothing for both face and body, it's ideal for skin prone to dryness, flakiness, or eczema, and provides lasting hydration through the colder winter months.
Napiers Calendula Flower Skin Cream
This pure, fragrance-free cream is formulated to soothe, protect and repair dry or sensitive skin. Calendula extract helps to calm irritation, restore hydration, and support cell renewal. Gentle enough for babies and sensitive areas, yet effective for hardworking hands and heels, it provides lasting comfort through colder weather.
A gentle moisturiser made with wild yam extract, calendula, and aloe vera, traditionally valued for its nourishing and balancing properties. Perfect for dry, mature or hormone-sensitive skin, it provides deep hydration and a smooth, supple finish – suitable for both men and women. To learn more about the benefits of wild yam, read our blog here.
Napiers Starflower Dry Skin Cream
This bestselling natural emollient is packed with borage (starflower) seed oil, chamomile, and chickweed extracts to calm, moisturise, and protect very dry or sensitive skin. Especially helpful for hands exposed to water or chemicals, or skin prone to eczema or dermatitis.
Lips are especially vulnerable to the cold, as they lose moisture quickly in dry air. During autumn and winter, regular use of a nourishing lip balm helps prevent chapping and keeps lips soft and comfortable.
Explore the full range of Napiers lip balms for gentle, botanical protection through the colder months.
Extra Tips
Here are a few practical tips to ease your skin through the autumn to winter shift:
- Layer hydrating products (serums, mists) first, then finish with the richer cream.
- Introduce richer formulations gradually – don’t replace your entire skincare collection in one go.
- When travelling (e.g. in heated vehicles or planes), keep a travel-size thicker cream on hand to counteract dryness.
In essence, gradually blending in richer creams as the seasons change may help support your skin’s barrier, reduce flare-ups of dryness or dermatitis, and maintain comfort from head to toe.
FAQs
Do I need to stop using lighter moisturisers entirely?
You don’t necessarily need to abandon lighter moisturisers as they can still be useful during the day or on less exposed areas. Rather, think of thicker creams as an enhancement or seasonal layer to support your skin barrier.
Will thicker creams cause clogged pores or breakouts?
Not necessarily. It depends on the formulation. Always patch test first, especially for the face.
How soon will I see improvements in my skin?
Many people notice improved comfort and less tightness within days, but full barrier repair (less flaking, fewer reactive patches) may take several weeks of consistent use.
Can I use thicker creams if I have sensitive or eczema-prone skin?
Yes, but cautiously. Choose fragrance-free, minimal-ingredient formulations and patch test. If you have active eczema, consult a dermatologist before making major changes.
References
- Green, M., Kashetsky, N., Feschuk, A. and Maibach, H.I. (2022) "Transepidermal water loss (TEWL): Environment and pollution-A systematic review", Skin Health and Disease, 25(2), pp. 1-9. Available at: NCBI.
