Why is My Skin So Dry Even When I Moisturize?
You do everything right, and yet you still find yourself asking the same old question: why is my skin so dry even when I moisturize? Even after you’ve layered on your hydrating serums, creams, and lotions, your skin feels dry, rough, and itchy. So, what are you doing wrong?
Believe it or not, in most cases, your dry skin has nothing to do with the moisturizer you’re using. Most likely, it’s the other habits in your skincare routine that are leaving you parched. Ahead, we answer your question: Why is my skin dry no matter how much I moisturize? And we also share some expert-backed advice on what you can do about it.
Why is My Skin So Dry Even When I Moisturize?
If dryness is a daily occurrence for you, you’re probably asking, why isn’t moisturizer helping my dry skin? Here are a few reasons why your skin is so dry even when you moisturize.
You Don’t Moisturize After Showering
This is one of the best times to hydrate your skin—on your face and body. Moisturizing damp skin helps to trap the water in your skin, combating dryness. If you wait even a few minutes, your skin will dry out completely and your creams and lotions won’t work as well.
Here’s a better explanation for it: When you emerge from the shower or bath, you have a higher concentration of moisture compared to the air. As a result, water evaporates off the skin quickly, which can leave skin feeling dry. That’s why dermatologists insist that you moisturize immediately when you step out the shower.
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You’re Not Layering Your Skincare Products Correctly
Why is my skin dry even when I moisturize? It’s important to apply your skincare products in the correct order to ensure each absorbs and performs its best. As a rule of thumb, layer products from thin to thick. It should look something like this: cleanser, toner, serum, cream.
If you apply your cream before your serum, your serum won’t be able to penetrate the thick cream. As a result, it simply won’t provide the desired hydrating effects. By layering correctly, you ensure each product works its very best—leading to hydrated, healthy skin.
You’re Not Exfoliating (Enough)
Regardless of your skin type, you should be exfoliating your skin regularly. Over time, dead skin cells build up on the skin’s surface, giving you a dry, dull complexion and a rough, uneven texture. Exfoliating can help remove these dead cells and ultimately improve your skin texture.
Alongside this, skincare products simply don’t work as effectively when they’re applied to skin with a build up of dead cells. Even with the best moisturizers at your fingertips, your products won’t be able to penetrate the skin properly when there’s a layer of dead skin in the way. Buffing those dead cells away allows your moisturizers to absorb better and consequently, work better.
Aim to exfoliate your skin at least 1-2 times per week, which will help smooth out rough patches and maximize the effects of your daily moisturizer.
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You’re Over-Cleansing
Does your skin feel tight or itchy after showering or bathing? That probably means you’re overwashing your skin. Over-cleansing and washing strips your skin of its natural oils that help protect your skin’s natural moisture barrier, which lead to skin dryness.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, dermatologists recommend washing your face no more than twice a day—morning and night. In some cases, this might feel like too much for your skin, in which case you can stick to cleansing just once a day.
You’re Using the Wrong Cleanser
It doesn’t really matter how good your moisturizer is, it just won’t work as well when you’re starting with a super dry canvas. Using a hydrating cleanser, on the other hand, will complement your moisturizer perfectly and allow it to perform its best.
Avoid harsh cleansers which dry out the skin and compromise your protective skin barrier. Instead, opt for a hydrating, gentle cleanser that removes daily dirt and excess oil without stealing skin moisture.
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You Might Need a New Moisturizer
Why is my skin so dry even when I moisturize? It could be one or all of the factors above. OR, it could mean your moisturizer is no longer serving you well. Maybe it never has. Either way, now is the time to upgrade your moisturizer for optimal skin hydration.
If you have severely dry skin, you may need a richer, thicker moisturizer. Most importantly, you definitely need a moisturizer that contains at least one or more of these powerhouse hydrators: shea butter, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, coconut oil, argan oil, and niacinamide.
Aim to moisturize your skin twice a day, both morning and night (and after showering). And make sure you’re using the best moisturizer for your skin type.
Your Showers are Too Hot
We all love a steaming hot shower, but our skin? Not so much. Taking hot showers can damage the outer layer of your skin and strip it of its protective oils. If your skin is red, flaking, and irritated after showering, that’s a good indicator that you need to turn down the temperature. Hot water really can play havoc with your skin!
You also want to limit your time in the water. Even if your showers are lukewarm, they might be parching your skin if you stay in them for a long time. Dermatologists say showers should last for no longer than 5-10 minutes.
You’re Not Drinking Enough Water
Did you know the outer layer of skin is comprised of about 15 to 20 percent water? A 2018 review suggests that drinking more water could improve skin hydration and elasticity.
You can slather on all the serums and creams you want, but if you’re not hydrating from the inside out, your skin will continue its constant battle with dryness. So, drink up! And fyi, most people need at least three liters of a fluid a day.
Alongside plain water, try caffeine-free herbal teas, natural juices, and cold water infused with fruits for extra flavor. By increasing your water intake, you should notice a visible improvement in your skin in a relatively short amount of time.
Your Skin is Responding to Irritating Ingredients
Have you recently added active ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, or hydroxy acids into your skincare regimen? Your skin might not be happy about it. As effective as these ingredients are for treating fine lines, breakouts, clogged pores, and hyperpigmentation, they can irritate your skin.
Take a good look at what you’re currently using. Perhaps you’re using something too often, as your skin’s responding with a flareup of redness, itching, and flaking. If this is the case, reduce the frequency of use or take a break from it altogether until your skin recovers. In the meantime, nurture skin with nourishing creams and lotions.
Your Skin Barrier is Compromised
A compromised skin barrier can lead to dry, flaky skin by disrupting its essential functions. The skin barrier, primarily composed of lipids, acts as a protective shield, keeping moisture in and irritants out. When this natural barrier gets damaged, water escapes from the skin more easily, causing dryness. At the same time, irritants and allergens can get in more easily, causing irritation and making skin drier.
Using harsh soaps or skincare products can weaken the skin barrier. When the barrier is compromised, the skin can’t stay hydrated properly, leading to dry, itchy skin. You can repair the skin barrier by taking a break from potentially irritating ingredients like retinoids and exfoliating acids, and focusing on hydration.
You Have a Skin Condition
Why is my skin so dry even when I moisturize? If you feel like you’ve tried everything, you could be dealing with a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis, or contact dermatitis. Book an appointment with a dermatologist to discuss your symptoms. They’ll be able to provide the best treatment plan for your skin condition so you can feel more comfortable.
Best Skincare Routines for Very Dry Skin
Now you know the common causes of dry skin even when you’re moisturizing, here are some of the best routines for keeping your skin healthy and hydrated.
Truly’s Glass Skin Set
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If you’re dealing with dehydrated skin and sensitivities, restore your skin back to full health with this 2-step routine. You get: an ultra-gentle cleansing balm infused with nourishing oils and niacinamide to melt away impurities and excess sebum while decongesting clogged pores. Plus, you get a skin refining facial serum to leave skin plumped, hydrated, and gleaming. Both products are super delicate and fragrance-free so you won’t have to worry about any irritation.
Truly’s Golden Glaze Luxury Body Oil Bundle
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Get silky skin and a sun-drenched glow with this ultra-luxe, limited edition set. It comes with our new Luxury Body Oil + the iconic Glazed Donut After Shave Glow Cream + a FREE Glazed Donut Whipped Shave Butter. Packed with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, argan oil, and niacinamide to drench you in day-long moisture.
Truly’s Deluxe Unicorn Set
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Treat your skin to something truly delicious. We’ve bundled our bestselling, cult-fave Unicorn Fruit products to give you the ultimate glow-up and self-care experience. It features a body polish, body butter, after shave moisturizer, lip balm, and deodorant plus a FREE Fuzzy Pink Bag. And it smells delicious—like sweet raspberries swept in a cotton candy cloud. Yum!
Truly’s Birthday Sex Luxury Body Oil Bundle
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Buff, shave, and hydrate your way to luminous, satin-smooth skin. This limited edition bundle features our brand new Birthday Sex Luxury Body Oil + an acne-fighting body scrub and a FREE soothing whipped shave butter. Your skin will feel irresistibly smooth after just one use.
Truly’s Ultimate Glazed Donut Skin Set
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Get ready for an unreal glow you have to see to believe. This trio of glazed donut goodies drenches you in a head to toe dewy glow that lasts for hours. Skin feels instantly softer, smoother, and intensely hydrated.
Why is my skin so dry even when I moisturize? As you can see, there could be multiple reasons why your moisturizer just isn’t cutting it. Switch those bad habits to skin-friendly ones, and you’re sure to see a significant improvement in the appearance and texture of your skin.
Still need help? Take the Truly Quiz and let us match you with your signature skincare routine.
