Why Your Skin Still Feels Dry Even When You Moisturize
Have you ever put on your moisturizer and thought, "How is my skin still dry?"
So you switch moisturizers, maybe add a facial oil, and try drinking more water, but it doesn't help.
Dry, red, flakey skin is a common complaint I see in my clients who are in their 30s and 40s.
Here is the thing, dry and dehydrated aren’t the same thing.
Dry skin is skin that is lacking in oil
Dehydrated skin is lacking in water
You can have oily skin that is dehydrated and dehydrated skin that is dry. Your skin needs a balance of both to feel calm and hydrated. Confused? Let’s delve deeper.
As we get older, our skin naturally changes. Cell turnover slows down. Collagen production gradually declines. Changes in hormones can affect how much oil our skin produces and can make our skin less resilient, allowing more trans epidermal water loss (TEWL). The products that once worked no longer are as effective and we need to start introducing different ingredients, rather than just oil or water based products.
Your Skin Barrier is Key
Think of your skin barrier as a brick wall- the bricks are skin cells and the mortar is created of ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids. As we get older our brick wall isn’t as sturdy and our mortar my have some holes in it. This means we see an increase in TEWL and our skin’s function to hold on to hydration isn’t as effective.
What Can You Do?
Instead of focusing only on water-based products, look for ingredients that help support and strengthen your skin barrier.
Lipids help replenish what your skin naturally loses over time. Look for ingredients like ceramides and fatty acids such as jojoba oil.
Humectants help attract water to the skin. Ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid can help boost hydration levels.
Barrier-supporting ingredients such as niacinamide, centella, and peptides can help calm the skin and support overall skin function.
When skin feels dry all the time, I focus on a few things in my treatment room:
Supporting the skin barrier
Focusing on ingredients that help attract and help you skin hold hydration.
Reducing unnecessary inflammation
Helping the skin function better overall
This is also where professional treatments can make a difference. A good facial isn't just about applying products. It can help gently remove buildup, improve circulation, support hydration, and create an environment where the skin can actually use the products you're putting on it.
The Bottom Line
If your skin feels dry no matter what moisturizer you're using, it doesn't necessarily mean you're using the wrong one. Your skin may simply need a different approach and more support than it did in the past.
If this sounds familiar, it's something I see often in the treatment room. It’s something that I can help improve with the right combination of skincare, treatments, and consistency.
If you're not sure what's causing your dryness, I'd be happy to help you figure it out. Book a complimentary skin analysis or a facial here
Heather Roberts
Licensed Esthetician
Mode Beauty Skincare Studio I Flatiron NYC