The unmistakable shift of fall is here, and everything feels different. Crisp air, cozy layers, the scent of pumpkin spice everywhere you turn… and uncomfortable, dry skin. You were used to plump, glowy, hydrated skin in the warmer months, but now the cooler weather makes everything feel tight, rough, and flaky. Sound familiar?
Dry skin in the fall is one of the most common issues we see at Emerge. Cold air, indoor heating, and hot showers all work together to strip your skin of moisture. And if you don’t adjust your skincare routine, it only gets worse.
The good news? The right products and treatments can make all the difference in the way you and your skin feel. At Emerge, we believe that prevention is easier than correction. So we’re sharing expert tips on keeping your skin hydrated, healthy, and glowing all season long.
Fall Skincare: Combating Dry Skin in the Fall
If your skin feels rough, dry, and hard to manage this time of year, you’re not alone. The weather changes and, inevitably, so does your skin’s environment.
Think of your skin as a sponge. When you leave that sponge out on the counter, it becomes dry, stiff, and rough. Submerge it in water again, and it instantly softens and comes back to life—just like your skin does when you replenish it with treatments that actually work.
Life gets demanding, and self-care falls on the back burner. However, even through unique individual challenges, dry skin in the fall is preventable with the right tools. Understanding the problem is the first step.
Does Cold Weather Cause Dry Skin?
In short, yes. Cold weather is a major culprit behind dry skin. When the temperature drops, that cold air holds less moisture. Where does it find the additional moisture it needs? From your skin. Combine that with indoor heaters, overly hot showers, and harsh cleaners, and your skin’s protective barrier begins to break down.
We meet so many amazing clients who say the same thing: “I’ve tried recent beauty trends, I’ve layered on different moisturizers, and nothing is changing.” Remember—maintaining skin quality isn’t about “more.” Instead, it’s about doing it right.
Why Does Cold Weather Dry Your Skin?
Low Humidity
Low humidity is a skin’s worst enemy. (Well, one of them.) At the beginning of the season, your skin is still reaping the benefits from summer. Increased hydration, slowed water evaporation, improved cell turnover—all contributing to a supple, radiant complexion.
As soon as temperatures drop, essentially, the air sucks all of that abundance of moisture right out. Because there’s a lack of humidity, your skin is losing water to the environment faster than it can replace it.
Indoor Heating Systems
Indoor heating may feel great to you, but it’s causing your skin to suffer. The higher you crank up the heat, the drier the air around you becomes. This means even your indoor air begins pulling moisture from your skin as compensation. To help combat this, opt for humidifiers to maintain a balanced environment.
Weakened Skin Barrier
Think of your skin barrier as your body’s initial defense mechanism against environmental factors. When it’s strong and healthy, it protects against external threats and locks in essential hydration. During fall and winter, cold, dry air can compromise this barrier, forcing it to work harder and reducing its effectiveness.
The result? Moisture loss, increased sensitivity, and impaired healing. It’s like a pattern. Cold conditionals weaken the skin’s barrier, reducing its ability to retain moisture. This leads to dryness, which further stresses the barrier—a cycle that can leave skin continually dehydrated.
Harsh Cleansers
It’s not uncommon for clients to go into defense mode when they experience skin disruptions. However, this can actually make problems worse. Over-cleansing is a barrier-breaker, stripping away oils and lipids that skin cells depend on.
Same with exfoliators. And serums. And toners. For most people, AM face wash is unnecessary, and quick fixes don’t result in long-term change. A gentle cleanser nightly is enough to remove dirt and oil, hydrate skin, and protect the barrier.
The Alastin Ultra Calm Cleansing Cream is a fall skincare must-have. It’s effective enough to remove impurities, yet gentle enough not to disrupt the skin’s moisture balance. Plus, it’s rich in calming ingredients that effectively reduce irritation—both in winter and after cosmetic treatments.
Remember, though, a multimodal treatment plan is where the magic happens. More on that below.
Sun Damage
90% of visible aging comes from UV exposure. Even on a cloudy day, even in fall. While you’re not battling salt, chlorine, and sweat, the sun can still damage your skin and affect overall hydration. To help with this, focus on a combined approach.
Every day, you should be using topical treatments such as Skinceuticals Daily Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen. However, a personalized treatment plan is what really helps patients achieve their goals. For dry skin in the fall, consider dermal fillers.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers attract moisture deep within the skin, improving texture and strengthening the barrier. Collagen bio-stimulators trigger the body’s natural healing response, producing collagen and elastin and strengthening the skin from within.
How to Keep Skin from Getting Dry in Fall
Adjust your skincare routine.
As the seasons change, so does your skin! We’ve already discussed the Ultra Calming Cleansing Cream, but there are two other products that are essential for your routine… Let’s start with the Alastin Soothe + Protect Recovery Balm.
Using Physalis Angulata Extract, this balm hydrates dry and compromised skin while restoring the natural barrier function. It also helps improve the appearance of skin following a procedure!
We saved the best for last… Dr. Kling’s fall secret weapon: Triple Paste Diaper Rash Cream. With 12.8% non-nano zinc oxide, oat extract, and protective beeswax, this cream restores skin hydration and the skin barrier—especially in the setting of flaking or excessive retinoid use.
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Want a tailored approach to your routine? Those in the New Jersey area can schedule a thorough consultation with Dr. Kling for a detailed skin analysis. A multimodal approach with customized regimens, medical-grade products, and evidence-based recommendations can be exactly what your dry skin is missing. Learn more here!
Stay consistent with your treatments.
Consistency is the gold standard in aesthetic medicine and proper skincare. Dramatic results happen gradually—and only when you follow the right plan. At Emerge, we operate on result-driven and strategic treatment plans that highlight visible, progressive transformation over time.
Even with non-surgical rejuvenation, Dr. Kling can create a personalized approach to targeting unique needs. Contact us today to discover which treatments and innovative technologies best suit your circumstances!
Hydrate from the inside out.
Hydration isn’t always topical. While yes, you should be drinking water, an honest, holistic approach is just as important. Skinvive, a dermal filler, improves hydration for a refreshed complexion. Similarly, a GlowPin™ Facial Treatment delivers an infusion of serums that deeply moisturize skin.
You’re not just supporting the skin’s natural ability to heal and moisturize—you’re restoring the barrier and staying ahead of continuous moisture loss.
Protect and repair your barrier.
Vitamin C is the one expensive product that Emerge highly recommends investing in as early as possible. While it promotes collagen production, it also boosts hydration and strengthens the barrier.
For topical application, the Hydrinity Hdri-C Vitamin C Moisturizer uses a patented technology to penetrate deep into the dermal layer. Not only do we recommend using this for dry skin, but it’s also essential for post-treatment care.
Explore medical aesthetic options.
Medical aesthetics is more than just skin deep. And when it comes to dry skin, you don’t just want to look your best—you want to feel your best, too. Medical aesthetics combines the art of beauty with the science of medicine, improving health, confidence, and holistic well-being.
Professional treatments can dramatically improve hydration and skin texture through regenerative science. From microneedling services to CO₂ laser treatments, the proper combination restores radiance the right way.
Seasonal changes challenge your skin—let Emerge lead you to the right approach.
Dry skin doesn’t just impact your appearance; it can make you feel insecure, unsure, and uncomfortable. At Emerge, the proper skincare tips aren’t marketing—they’re medicine. While there isn’t one magic treatment to cure dry skin, a proper multimodal approach can heal the skin barrier, support hydration, and lead to progressive transformation.
If you’re ready to heal your skin and enjoy long-term benefits, schedule an appointment and meet Dr. Kling! You can also shop Dr. Kling’s recommended skincare online, creating a preventative approach that heals your skin before low humidity and dry air can even touch it. And, finally, read over the Emerge skincare blog to learn more about advanced treatments, procedures, and minimally invasive solutions.
A compassionate advocate with technical expertise is just one call away. Don’t chase healing—stay ahead of it.