Once the seasons change from warm to cold, skin immediately becomes dry and flaky. A thick moisturizer will temporarily help with the top layer of your skin, but it won't properly hydrate and repair dry skin with lasting effects. Your best bet to prevent flaky skin--especially on the area that seems to suffer the most, your legs--is to use a body lotion that utilizes gentle acids. A lotion that has an alpha-hydroxy acid will not only moisturize your skin, but will help exfoliate and counteract the rough patches.
The Amlactin Alpha Hydroxy Therapy Moisturizing Body Lotion ($15.99) is a smooth moisturizer that you can feel working after it's applied and doesn't have a thick residue that some other deep moisturizing lotions have. The best part? It is available at your local drugstore and won't cost a lot of money.