Yes, There Is Such A Thing As Too Much Moisturizer: Here's The Fine Line

Sure, the days of sweaty, summer skin may be quickly fading from the rearview, but colder weather brings on a whole other set of beauty concerns—namely, skin that's practically screaming for moisture. To compensate for the dip in temperature, you might feel the urge to pile on your moisturizer in fear of dry, cracked skin. We hear you; flakes are no fun, and the itch can be uncomfortable, sometimes painful.

Although, don't load up on cream just yet: While your intentions are pure, too much moisturizer can actually do more harm than good. (Cue the collective gasp.)

Short answer? Totally. Smear on too much product, and it won't actually seep into your skin—your skin can only take in a certain amount of hydration, and while the specific tipping point differs for everyone, the extra moisturizer will just sit on top and make your skin look oily. And depending on the formula, too much moisturizer could even clog your pores and cause breakouts, says physician and skin care expert Lamees Hamdan, M.D., founder of SHIFFA.

So what should you do when you notice some roughness or cracks? Don't double up on product—simply change what you're working with. "Even if a formula has worked well in the past, your skin is an organ. Things change. You change season to season. If something isn't making you feel hydrated, I would look for something different," says celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas, founder of Joanna Vargas Salons and Skin Care and author of Glow From Within. So if you've got a penchant for a lightweight water cream, perhaps use a thick-as-butter confection that'll melt into skin come colder weather. 

Of course, there's no one right answer: Everyone's skin can handle different amounts of moisture. But generally, Vargas recommends no more than a dime- or nickel-size dollop at most. To make sure you're covering all the dry areas, simply dot the portion all over your face, then massage it into your skin. You might even want to press in the product with your palms after the fact, just to make sure the formula seeps in.