Why Your Skin Feels Dry, Even After Moisturizing

If you’ve noticed that your skin is still dry after moisturizing or you’re drinking lots of water, but your skin is still dry, this article is for you. 

Dry skin is a common skin concern, yet moisturizing alone might not be enough to reverse the dryness and maintain hydrated skin. Furthermore, some moisturizers could make the problem worse.

Keep reading to learn all the details about why your moisturizer isn’t working and how to get rid of dry, flaky skin once and for all. This article will explore:

• Why is my skin still dry after lotion?

• 7 reasons your moisturizer isn’t working

• How to fix extremely dry skin

• Dry skin moisturizers that actually work from NassifMD^® Skincare

• When dry, itchy skin needs medical attention

Why Skin Stays Dry After Moisturizing

Is your skin tight, rough, ashy, flaky, wrinkly, or cracking? Do you have dry skin patches or dry, flaky skin on face?

The truth is, your skin may not only be dry, but it could also be dehydrated. And unfortunately, a moisturizer alone won’t rehydrate the skin. Your entire skincare routine plays a significant role in maintaining skin hydration. In addition to optimizing your routine, the specific products you use also play a role. (More on these topics below).

Some contributors to dry, dehydrated skin include:

• Overall dehydration –from not drinking enough water or sweating without replacing water and electrolytes

• Nutrient deficiencies – your skin requires specific nutrients and proteins to maintain its structure and function

• Climate – a cold or dry climate may require additional skin hydrating strategies as it promotes more water loss through the skin

• Hot showers or baths – Too often, hot water can strip the skin of moisture

• Aging – over time, the skin loses collagen, reducing its ability to hold on to water

When working to transform dry skin, consider the underlying contributors, along with the details of your skincare routine.

7 Reasons Moisturizer Isn’t Working

It’s easy to think that using lotion for dry skin is the way to go, but what do you do when moisturizing isn’t enough? Here are seven reasons your moisturizer isn’t working like you expect or desire:

1. You’re only relying on your moisturizer. A moisturizer is typically the last step of a skincare routine. It creates a barrier over the skin, locking in moisture, but it doesn’t necessarily add moisture to the skin. For that, you may need lifestyle change, hydrating toners, and skin serums. You may also need a different moisturizing routine. More on these below.

2. Your moisturizer (or other skincare products) contains harsh ingredients. Harsh ingredients such as alcohols, sulfates, formaldehyde, etc., may strip the skin of natural oils and damage the skin barrier that keeps moisture in. Of note, NassifMD^® Skincare is free of phthalates, lanolin, formaldehyde, parabens, and other harsh ingredients. It’s also cruelty-free, gluten-free, and vegan.

3. You aren’t timing your moisturizer correctly. Always apply your moisturizer to damp skin after cleansing, toning, and applying skin serums. Use twice daily for best results. Additionally, you can use a thicker moisturizer at night or try skin slugging.

4. You’re relying on lotion instead of cream. A cream moisturizer will be thicker, more luxurious, and more hydrating than a lotion, even lotions for dry skin. Discover some effective options below from NassifMD^® facial plastic surgeon skincare.

5. You’re skipping exfoliation. Exfoliating gently, according to your skin type, helps remove dead skin and debris that may block hydrating and moisturizing skincare ingredients from absorbing into the skin.

6. You’re skipping a toner. A facial toner adds hydration to the skin, and specific ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, draw water molecules inside and hold them there. You need a hydrating toner if you have dry skin.

7. You’re skipping serums. Facial serums deliver potent active ingredients into the skin where they have multiple effects, such as hydrating, restoring collagen, nourishing, and protecting the skin barrier. When you moisturize after serums, you lock in these benefits.

How to Fix Stubborn Dry Skin

Fixing dry skin on the face or body involves more than discovering the best moisturizer for dry skin (although we’ll cover the best moisturizers below). It involves addressing the internal factors along with establishing a consistent skincare routine that emphasizes hydration in each step. 

Start with internal hydration. Ensure you’re eating a hydrating diet with plenty of fresh produce, drinking enough water each day, and replacing lost water after consuming dehydrating beverages (such as soda, coffee, or alcohol) or engaging in exercise. If you live in a dry or hot climate, you may need even more water than you think. 

Then, address conditions that you can control. For example, if your indoor air is dry from heating or air conditioning, consider using a humidifier. If you take a hot shower every day, consider turning down the temperature on some days. 

Then, optimize your skincare routine to include hydrating products and include a moisturizer for dry skin that contains high-quality ingredients and matches your skin type.

Best Moisturizers for Very Dry Skin

Consider skin hydration with each step of your skincare routine. We’ll start with cleansing, and move through each step, finishing with moisturizers.

Step 1: Cleansing

Start with a cleanser for dry skin or a combination cleanser and exfoliator. The best face wash for dry skin is NassifMD^® Pure Hydration Facial Cleanser, which contains antioxidants and squalane, or use your favorite product from the NassifMD^® cleanser line.

If your cleanser doesn’t also offer exfoliation, use NassifMD^® Detox Facial Pads a few times per week or more often if your skin type allows.

Step 2: Toning 

After cleansing, use a hydrating toner to address dry skin under the eyes and the entire face. Apply generously. The best options are NassifMD® 3HA Hydrating Facial Mist and NassifMD^® Pure Hydration Replenishing Toner.

Step 3: Facial Serums

Facial serums provide targeted, hydrating ingredients to the skin and work best when used prior to moisturizing. They often address hydration issues along with other skin concerns. Plus, you can use more than one serum in your routine, just be sure to layer them from thinnest to thickest. Here are some options to support the transformation of dry skin:

• NassifMD^® Niacinamide Biopeptide Serum with niacinamide, skincare peptides from cranberry, and allantoin for improved skin hydration

• NassifMD^® Pro Peptide Collagen Serum with skincare peptides to promote collagen formation and long-term hydration

• NassifMD® Hydro-Screen with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and retinol to protect the skin barrier, promote hydration, and address skin aging concerns

Step 4: Moisturizing 

Once you’ve layered nourishing, hydrating ingredients throughout your skincare routine, you’re now ready to seal it all in with a hydrating moisturizer. Here are some expertly formulated options from Dr. Nassif:

• NassifMD^® Pure Hydration Night Cream may be the best face moisturizer for dry skin to use at night. It’s deeply hydrating and concentrated, promoting skin regeneration and hydration while you sleep.

• NassifMD^® Soft Focus Hydrating Day Cream is your go-to for daytime use to optimize hydration all day long while strengthening the skin barrier to prevent water loss. It also works amazingly well under makeup.

• NassifMD® Hydro-Screen Soufflé is the optimal body moisturizer for dry skin. Apply to the entire body or spot-treat dry patches on the skin after bathing. If you’re looking for the best lotion for dry skin, this soufflé is it.

• NassifMD^® Skin Barrier Protection Cream targets the skin’s outer layers to promote hydration and prevent water loss. This soothing, nourishing cream is a must-have for dry skin.

When Dry Skin Needs Medical Help

If the home remedies, hydrating tips, and products in this article don’t fully address your concerns, you may want to turn to your dermatologist or other medical provider for guidance. Some reasons to seek medical help include:

• Skin conditions, including dermatitis or psoriasis

• Skin-related side effects from medications or medical treatments

• Skin wounds, infections, or bleeding

• Rashes and itching that don’t resolve

Additionally, in some cases, dry skin may be a sign of an underlying nutritional or health condition, and it’s best to consult with your care team as needed.

In most cases, dry skin occurs for a combination of reasons. Uncovering those reasons, adjusting habits, and optimizing your skincare routine with NassifMD® Skincare will help transform dry skin into hydrated, plump, smooth, radiant-looking skin.

References

1. 1. Pu, S. Y., Huang, Y. L., Pu, C. M., Kang, Y. N., Hoang, K. D., Chen, K. H., & Chen, C. (2023). Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 15(9), 2080.