3. You’re applying at the wrong time.
Make sure you’re applying in the morning, before you apply sunscreen and makeup, and before bed, “which is when skin loses more water and therefore needs moisturizer most,” says Wu. However, the derm stresses that it’s the timing you apply that matters more than the time of day. “I advise patients to apply moisturizer within a few minutes of cleansing, while skin is still slightly damp.”
4. Other products are stripping your skin.
A harsh cleanser or too many serums could be undoing the work your moisturizer is putting in. “If you’re using a foaming cleanser, acids, peel pads, and a nightly retinoid, all those products may be breaking the skin barrier and not allowing the moisturizer to work,” says Wu. Henry also adds that cleansing too aggressively can contribute to barrier disruption.
5. Your water is too hot.
Hot showers or baths can strip the skin of its natural moisture. “Make sure you avoid very hot, long showers,” advises Henry. “Pat dry and leave a bit of moisture on the skin before applying moisturizer to optimize hydration post-shower.”
6. You’re over-exfoliating.
Exfoliating is a good way to get rid of flaking or dead skin cells, but it’s easy to overdo it. “Flakes often mean the barrier is injured, not that more skin needs to be removed,” says Wu. “I advise my patients to pause the acids and scrubs and cut back on their retinoid until dryness subsides.” Wu says two to three times a week instead of nightly, works for many, but check with your dermatologist for their recommendation for your skin.
7. It could be your hormones.
The body says a lot through our skin, from thyroid changes to, yes, menopause. “One internal cause that many patients don’t think about is declining estrogen that happens in perimenopause, which makes skin drier, thinner, and suddenly more sensitive,” says Wu.
8. Or, it could be your environment.
Whether you live in an area with dry air or simply have an office that keeps the heat turned way up, those conditions can affect your skin. Henry recommends keeping a travel-size moisturizer or hydrating mist on hand if your work environment tends to be dry. Seasons changing affects our skin, too. “As we move into fall and winter, indoor air gets drier once heaters come on, so using a humidifier can help combat that.”
9. Or other lifestyle habits.
Not that you need another reminder, but: “Nicotine worsens dry skin, so cutting back on cigarette smoking can help,” says Wu. “The same goes for alcohol, which is a diuretic, so it makes your body lose water.” Instead, she says to focus on drinking plenty of water and eating foods that are high in water content, like fruits, veggies, and soup. Then there’s the other biggie: getting more sleep. “Poor sleep can also impair the skin barrier,” says the derm.
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