Ever feel like you’ve been applying moisturizer on and on but it just doesn’t seem to do the trick? You’ve got the most viral moisturizer at your disposal, yet it’s still not working. I’ve been there. That tight, flaky feeling on your arms, legs, or even your face sometimes that just won’t budge.
You apply more cream, you even switch to something else, hoping it’ll solve the issue, and then you start to wonder if maybe it’s just this one moisturizer that isn’t for you. But then, you end up back at square one.
There could be a lot of reasons for this, but for me, the main culprit was wrong application. Plus, I wasn’t consistent with it, especially on my arms and legs.
It’s not about slathering on more at one time or applying it constantly for a few days and expecting immediate results.
Hydrator vs moisturizer
Moisturizing your skin is totally different from hydrating it. Hydrating is all about increasing the water content in your skin, and that’s where humectants come in handy.
Once your skin is hydrated, then you apply a moisturizer to seal in that hydration and stop moisture from evaporating. That’s something I wasn’t doing for my body, aside from my face.
We tend to neglect the rest of our body sometimes! The key is applying both a humectant and a moisturizer. This is especially important if you’ve got super dry skin like mine.
You can also go for something like Vaseline to act as an occlusive to lock in moisture, but personally, I’m not a fan of that greasy feeling Vaseline leaves behind on my skin.
Common reasons your skin still feels dry
As I mentioned earlier, applying lotion or moisturizer on dry skin honestly feels like a waste. That’s why this little step can make a huge difference. If you’ve been doing that, then it’s probably the reason your skin still feels dry even after moisturizing.
Another factor could be using the wrong type of moisturizer. If your skin is flaky and dry to the point of patches, you need something rich and emollient-based to really nourish and hydrate your skin. A light gel-based moisturizer isn’t going to cut it for thirsty skin like that.
And let’s not forget about over-exfoliating, maybe you’re using your exfoliating lotion or body wash too often. If you’re not doing any of those things, then it might be an underlying condition like eczema. For that, I’d highly recommend Vanicream moisturizer. It’s a total lifesaver.
Over-exfoliation and under-exfoliation can both leave your skin feeling dry. If you’re not exfoliating enough, dead skin cells can build up and prevent moisture from doing its job. So, make sure you’re exfoliating about twice a week.
A good AHA/BHA-based body wash or lotion can really help slough off those dead skin cells and keep your skin smoother and more receptive to the moisture you apply.
Sometimes, your skin barrier can get compromised, and when that happens, it can lead to even more moisture loss. Your skin just can’t hold onto moisture the way it should. In those cases, I highly recommend a ceramide-based moisturizer or something with shea butter.
Both of these ingredients work wonders on dry, compromised skin—they help restore and strengthen the barrier, locking in moisture so your skin can stay hydrated longer.
Sometimes, though, your skin can still feel dehydrated and that could be due to the environment you’re in. Extreme weather or low humidity can strip moisture from your skin, which means the moisture you apply gets absorbed right away.
In those situations, it’s important to customize your routine to give your skin the hydration and moisture it needs.
My routine
My favorite routine is pretty simple, but it works wonders for my dry dehydrated skin. I start by dampening my skin with a hydrator, then follow it up with a layer of a thick moisturizer.
For my arms and legs, I use a thicker moisturizer—right now, I’m loving the one from Sol de Janeiro. It’s been amazing for me. But, again, it’s all about the right application and the right order.
My favorite moisturizers are many, trust me, but here I’ll mention two. One is the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Brazilian Cream, you might have heard about this one already as this one is a cult favorite. Even though it’s not as rich, it’s been working really well for my dry skin.
It does a great job, and I’m absolutely in love with the smell of this. However, this one doesn’t contain any ceramides, so I alternate between the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream and my ceramide-based moisturizer.
I make sure to have a ceramide-based cream in my self care routine because, over time, our bodies lose ceramides just like collagen, and it’s super important for me to include one in my routine. Ceramides are actually good for your skin barrier as well.
If you don’t want to invest in an occlusive, the best alternative is definitely Vaseline. It’s dermatologist-approved and loved by many for its effectiveness. Personally, I’m not a fan of the greasy feeling from a Vaseline, and the way it kind of sits on top of the skin isn’t my vibe.
But if that works for you, Vaseline is definitely one of the best out there for dry, scaly skin. Just remember, you’ll want to dampen your skin first with a hydrator before applying it, so it locks in the moisture better.
If you’re wondering what to apply before your moisturizer, personally, I use a hydrating body toner or a glycerin-based lotion. Both of these are excellent humectants that draw moisture from the environment into your skin. I let it absorb for about a minute before applying my moisturizer.
This combo of a hydrating cream and moisturizer gives a layered effect, sealing the moisture in. And trust me, the results have been amazing! I no longer deal with patchy, dry, flaky skin. I’m consistent with this routine, and the results speak for themselves.
