Best Solutions for Dry Skin This Winter and how to rescue your skin with Obagi skincare and skin boosters
Discover expert skin science insights from our award-winning holistic aesthetic clinic in Altrincham. Written by Dr Caroline Warden an NHS GP, cosmetic dermatology specialist and leading aesthetic doctor in Hale, South Manchester
Winter in Hale, Altrincham and South Manchester can be cosy (when it’s not raining!)… but your skin probably disagrees.
Cold wind outside + central heating inside = tight, itchy, flaky, sometimes sore skin. Hands crack, faces look dull, and your usual skincare “just doesn’t touch the sides”.
The good news: with the right combination of home care, medical-grade moisturisers (like Obagi) and, where appropriate, in-clinic skin boosters, you can get your hydration back and keep your skin comfortable all winter long.
This blog post walks you through:
Why skin gets so dry in winter
Simple changes to your daily routine
Which Obagi moisturisers I lean on most heavily for winter skin
When to consider injectable skin boosters like Profhilo
A real patient case study
FAQs + references if you like to dive deeper
Why winter makes your skin so dry
When temperatures drop, two big things happen to your skin:
Cold air holds less moisture
The humidity outside falls, and indoor heating dries the air further. Low humidity pulls water out of your skin, weakening the barrier and causing flaking, tightness and irritation.Your skin’s barrier gets compromised
Fewer surface lipids and ceramides, plus more friction from clothing, mean micro-cracks in the barrier. Studies show ceramides drop in winter, which is one reason skin looks rough and feels itchy.
If you add in:
Long, hot showers
Foaming, stripping cleansers
Strong acids or retinoids
Fragrance-heavy products
…you can easily tip your skin into full-on “winter eczema / winter itch” territory.
Step 1 – Get the basics right at home
Before we talk about Obagi and injectables, the foundations matter.
1. Switch to a gentler cleanser
Use a cream or lotion cleanser instead of a foaming one.
Avoid heavily fragranced products on the face and body.
AM: a simple splash or very gentle cleanse can be enough.
This reduces how much of your natural oil barrier you strip away with each wash.
2. Shower like a dermatologist
Keep showers lukewarm, not hot.
Aim for under 10 minutes.
Pat dry with a towel – don’t rub.
Apply moisturiser within 3 minutes of getting out, while skin is still slightly damp, to lock in water.
3. Use emollients more often than you think
NHS and dermatology guidance is clear: for very dry skin, emollients should be applied liberally and frequently, not just once at night. In some cases, every 2–3 hours is recommended.
Think:
A lighter lotion or cream on the face in the daytime (under SPF)
A richer cream or ointment at night
A proper hand cream in your bag and by the sink
4. Think about your environment
Run a humidifier in the bedroom or main living space
Avoid sitting directly under hot air vents
Wear cotton or soft layers against the skin, not scratchy wool
Humidifiers can significantly improve skin comfort by adding moisture back into dry indoor air.
Step 2 – Choosing the right moisturiser (why Obagi shines in winter)
Once the basics are in place, the moisturiser you choose really matters. A good winter product should:
Replace lost water
Reduce water loss (TEWL)
Support the barrier with lipids
Be gentle enough for sensitised skin
How emollients work (quick recap)
Emollients usually combine:
Humectants – attract water into the top layers (e.g. glycerin, hyaluronic acid)
Occlusives – slow down water loss by forming a protective layer (e.g. shea butter, petrolatum)
Barrier-supporting lipids – like ceramides and plant oils
This combination is exactly what helps calm dry, itchy, and eczema-prone skin.
Obagi moisturisers I love for winter
Obagi’s hydrators are formulated to give both immediate and long-lasting hydration with clever technology and barrier-supporting ingredients.
1. Obagi Hydrate® Facial Moisturiser
Lightweight cream, ideal for daytime use under SPF
Uses tara seed extract (clinically shown to boost moisture) plus shea and mango butters to reduce water loss and smooth the skin.
Great “all-rounder” for normal–dry skin, and a brilliant winter upgrade from a basic high-street moisturiser.
Who it suits:
Normal to dry skin, dehydrated combination skin, rosacea-prone patients who need serious hydration without a greasy feel.
2. Obagi Hydrate Light®
Gel-cream texture that is oil-free, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic
Clinically proven to provide up to 24-hour hydration with moisture-barrier support.
Who it suits:
Oily or breakout-prone skin that still feels tight in winter
Younger patients or those who hate heavy creams
Men who prefer ultra-light textures
3. Obagi Hydrate Luxe®
Ultra-rich night cream featuring biomimetic peptides and tara seed extract
Designed for overnight use, when skin repair processes are highest
Provides immediate comfort and sustained hydration for very dry or mature skin.
Who it suits:
Very dry, rough or flaky skin
Perimenopausal / menopausal skin that’s lost bounce
Patients who wake up feeling “stripped” or tight despite moisturising
In clinic, I often pair Hydrate or Hydrate Light in the day, and Hydrate Luxe at night for a winter “sandwich” of comfort and barrier support.
Step 3 – When skincare alone isn’t enough: injectable skin boosters
If you’re doing all the right things and your skin is still dull, lined and parched, it may be time to think beyond topical products.
What are skin boosters?
Skin boosters are injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) treatments that sit just under the surface of the skin. They work as an “injectable moisturiser”, improving:
Hydration
Elasticity
Fine lines
Overall glow
Unlike dermal fillers, they don’t add volume or change your facial shape.
Treatments like Profhilo® are particularly popular, using a high concentration of hyaluronic acid to stimulate collagen and elastin while deeply hydrating the skin from within. Clinical data shows improved tissue quality, elasticity and patient satisfaction after a course of two treatments, four weeks apart.
Who benefits most from skin boosters in winter?
30s–60s with fine lines and crepey texture
Patients whose skin still looks “flat” despite good skincare
People wanting a subtle, natural refresh without filler
Men and women bothered by dullness on the lower face, neck or hands
In my Hale clinic, I often combine Obagi moisturisers at home with a course of skin boosters as a powerful winter skin reset.
Case Study – Winter Skin Rescue in Hale, Altrincham
Patient: *Janet, 52, lives in Hale, works in Timperly
Main complaints:
“My skin feels papery and sore every winter.”
Tightness after washing, foundation clinging to dry patches
Fine lines around the mouth and cheeks looking deeper
She was using:
A foaming cleanser
A light gel moisturiser meant for oily skin
Occasional retinol (every night in winter!)
No humidifier, lots of central heating, very hot showers
Assessment
Marked dryness and roughness over cheeks and jawline
Early crepey texture under the eyes and on the neck
Mild background rosacea
Barrier clearly impaired
Step 1 – Routine overhaul
We simplified and winter-proofed her home care:
Switched her to a gentle cream cleanser
Retinol reduced to 2 nights per week, not nightly
Introduced Obagi Hydrate® in the morning under SPF
Introduced Obagi Hydrate Luxe® at night, applied to slightly damp skin
Added a fragrance-free hand cream by every sink
We also suggested she:
Turn down water temperature in the shower
Keep showers under 10 minutes
Buy a cool-mist humidifier for her bedroom
Step 2 – In-clinic skin booster plan
Given the degree of crepiness and surface dehydration, we decided to add a course of skin boosters (Profhilo®):
2 sessions, 4 weeks apart
Targeting lower face, jawline and neck
Results at 8–10 weeks
Skin looked noticeably plumper and smoother
Fine lines around the mouth softened
Makeup sat beautifully, without clinging
She described her skin as “comfortable all day, not screaming at 3pm”
Hydrate Luxe became her “non-negotiable” night product
We now maintain her results with:
Obagi Hydrate / Hydrate Luxe year-round
Profhilo top-up every 6 months
Slightly stronger actives reintroduced in spring, when the barrier is less under attack
FAQs – Dry Winter Skin, Obagi & Skin Boosters
1. Do I really need a different moisturiser just for winter?
Often, yes. Your summer gel or lotion may not cut it when humidity drops and heating is on. A more emollient, barrier-supporting moisturiser (like Obagi Hydrate or Hydrate Luxe) can make the difference between simply “not flaking” and truly comfortable, healthy skin.
2. Which Obagi moisturiser is best for my winter skin?
Oily/spot-prone but tight: Hydrate Light
Normal–dry or combination: Hydrate in the day, Hydrate Luxe at night
Very dry, mature or menopausal: Hydrate in the day (or Hydrate Light if you still get breakouts), Hydrate Luxe generously at night
Your exact choice depends on your skin type, age and any underlying conditions – this is something we cover in detail in consultation.
3. Are skin boosters safe?
When performed by a qualified medical professional, hyaluronic acid-based skin boosters have a strong safety profile, with minimal downtime (usually small bumps and mild swelling for 24–48 hours). They’re not suitable during pregnancy or for anyone with HA allergy or certain medical conditions – full medical history is always checked first.
4. Are skin boosters the same as filler?
No. Both use hyaluronic acid, but:
Fillers add volume and structure (e.g. cheeks, lips).
Skin boosters hydrate and improve skin quality without changing facial shape.
They’re more like an injectable moisturiser, ideal when your goal is glow and smoothness rather than contour.
5. How long do winter skin results last?
From topical routine + Obagi: you’ll feel better within days, but you need to keep going while the weather is cold.
From skin boosters: results usually last 6–9 months
Book in for a Consultation at your local, doctor-led, sister-run skin & aesthetics sanctuary for natural, bespoke results
Dr Caroline Warden is an experienced NHS GP and aesthetic doctor. She has been a medical doctor for over 18 years. She runs the female-led family business with her sister Louise Devereux (creative director & patient co-ordinator)
Their main Skin and Aesthetic Clinic is located in Hale, Cheshire but they also run a pop-up clinic in Disley, Stockport one evening a week.
You will only ever see and have treatments with Dr Caroline Warden.
Whether you're new to aesthetic treatments or ready to refine your routine, her bespoke skin assessments are the best place to start. Dr Caroline Warden will design a tailored plan based on your skin goals, lifestyle, and timeline.
Book your consultation at the clinic in Hale, Cheshire and experience aesthetic medicine.
You’ll be guided through your medical history, goals, and expectations so you can make an informed choice.
Where our clinic is local to:
Our flagship main Hale clinic is conveniently located for patients travelling from:
Alderley Edge, Altrincham, Bowdon, Bramhall, Hale Barns, Knutsford, Manchester, Mobberley, Sale, Timperley, Urmston, Wilmslow, Handforth, Poynton, Cheadle, Didsbury and Warrington.
Our satellite Disley clinic (Thursday evenings at Scott, Skin & Co) is ideal if you’re based in:
New Mills, High Lane, Marple, Mellor, Whaley Bridge, Strines, Chapel, Hayfield or Stockport.
References and Further Reading
Here are some helpful resources if you’d like to read more:
