16 Jan 2026
Not only does January bring about a drop in temperature and an uptick in strong, icy winds, but the way that most of us combat the frigid number on our thermostat is by cranking up the warm, dry heat. This back and forth toggle may exact a toll on your skin barrier. Maybe you’ve noticed that your skin feels less supple. You may have a bit more redness or some patches of flaky skin. If so, it is probably time to rethink your facial moisturizer, switching to one that is richer for the winter months. But what’s to be done if your skin is oily or you suffer from acne? Won’t a moisturizer make things worse? Personally, I find that almost every patient benefits from some form of facial moisturizer. The important thing is to find the right one for your skin type, current climate and needs.
In-Person Skincare Consultation in Boston
Scheduling an in-person skincare consultation with a Board-Certified Dermatologist, such as myself, is one of the best gifts that you can give yourself. Regardless of age, your skin has needs. In your 20’s, you may be dealing with breakouts and acne while in your 30’s and beyond, the focus can shift to mitigating sun damage and/or signs of aging such as:
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- “Crepey” or uneven skin texture
- Areas of pigmentation
- Redness
- Broken blood vessels
- Mild skin laxity
It is imperative that your skincare regime be personalized to your anatomy, needs and desired goals. As mentioned, a facial moisturizer is generally a component of any of my treatment plans, but the key is choosing the right formula.
Skin’s Needs Dictate Facial Moisturizer Choice
The internet has changed all of our lives, making is super easy to find relevant information on any topic of interest. This can be good news/bad news when it comes to skincare. I love that patients can self-educate and typically come in to see me with a wealth of pertinent knowledge. However, information on social media can also often be misleading. No skincare regime or product is right for everyone so just because your favorite celebrity uses X facial moisturizer to make her skin glow like the zenith of health does not necessarily mean that you are going to achieve the same result. In fact, many of the skincare trends on TikTok and Instagram may actually cause more harm than good. The goal with any type of facial moisturizer is to seal and protect your skin barrier. This is critical as a healthy skin barrier is essential for:
- Overall skin function
- Ability to tolerate any kind of treatment such as lasers or microneedling
- Healing
While there is a common myth that anyone with oily, acne-prone skin should avoid moisturizers entirely, the reality is that overly drying out your skin may actually increase irritation and make your breakouts worse. I don’t think that there are specific rules when it comes to facial moisturizer, but my general recommendation is:
- Lighter, oil-free or non-comedogenic formulas for acne-prone skin
- Richer, barrier-repair creams for dryer, aging and/or sensitive skin
Keep in mind, however, that your skin’s needs will change with the seasons and your skincare regime will have to adapt accordingly. To find out more about skincare, or any other aesthetic treatment with Dr. Melissa Michelon at Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.
