Why is My Skin Dry Even When I Moisturize? 

Many of us persistently face the dry skin issue which can be quite uncomfortable and frustrating. The first step that everyone with dry skin takes is to moisturize their skin well and frequently. However, this does not solve the problem in every case.

Are you also wondering why is my skin dry even when I moisturize? It can be due to many reasons like age, race, genetics, or environmental factors. Understanding the possible reasons can help you identify the main cause and treat your skin accordingly. Let’s discuss further!

Part 1: Dry vs Dehydrated Skin

Before discussing the common reasons for dry skin, you must understand the difference between dry and dehydrated skin. Knowing this difference can help you identify and treat the underlying cause accordingly.

As you can tell from the name, your skin becomes dehydrated when your body’s water requirements are not being fulfilled. It can also occur due to excessive sweating, heatstroke, fever, or loss of fluids from the body due to diarrhea. Regardless of the skin type, anyone can have dehydrated skin. These are the common signs and symptoms of dehydrated skin:

• Itchiness
• Dull appearance
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Dark circles 
• Poor skin elasticity
• Dry and cracked lips

On the other hand, dry skin is a type of oily or combination skin type in which oils and sebum have less production. Then the skin becomes flaky in appearance. Aging, nutritional deficiency, or the use of the wrong products can be the possible reasons behind dry skin. Here is how to know that your skin is dry:

• Scaly skin appearance
• Redness
• Associated conditions like atopic dermatitis or psoriasis
• Cracked, flaky skin
• Rough skin texture 

Part 2: Why is My Dry Even When I Moisturize?

Wrong Products

The most common reason behind dry skin type even when you are following the right routine is using the wrong product. There are different moisturizers for different skin types. It is possible that you are not using the one that suits your skin type.

Moreover, if your moisturizer is too light, it might be not effective for your dry skin. It is because these moisturizers have high water content while dry skin responds better to creams and lotions with high lipid content. 

No Exfoliating

Just following a proper skincare routine is never enough to get the glowy and smooth skin. You also need to regularly exfoliate it. Otherwise, dead cells build up on the skin’s surface. This not only makes the skin dry but also, the accumulated dead cells, become a hindrance in the absorption of the product.

As a result, the moisturizer will lose its effectiveness regardless of the times you are using it. 

Nutritional Deficiency

As dehydrated skin is associated with reduced fluids in your body, dry skin can occur if you have any nutritional deficiency. 

Your body may have reduced amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Zinc, Iron, or Niacin. It can be best sorted out by a professional. These vitamins can be taken in the form of supplements or through diet to make your skin look supple and healthy. 

Medications Or Medical Conditions

Both medications and medical conditions can make your skin dry by affecting the normal metabolism of the body. The most common medications that make your skin dry and flaky include diuretics, beta-blockers, chemotherapy drugs, topical steroids, and retinoids.

Furthermore, conditions like diabetes, HIV, thyroid disorders, or renal failure can also lead to skin dryness. 

Moisturizing at Wrong Time

When you are using a product at the wrong time, it loses its effectiveness. Even though a moisturizer can be applied at any time, to increase its effectiveness, you must apply it twice a day.

As your skin cells repair and regenerate during the night, you should apply the moisturizer before sleeping. Similarly, apply it in the morning after washing your face, Make sure that your face is slightly damp before applying the product. 

Aging

Dry skin can also be a sign of aging. During the aging process, your sweat and oil glands reduce naturally. As a result, the skin texture becomes rough and dry. In addition, older adults are more prone to dry skin because they have more risk factors like diabetes, impaired skin barrier, or menopause.

This can be sorted by using thicker creams and taking care of your health even at older age, especially above the 40s.

Using Wrong Cleanser

Cleansing the face thoroughly before applying the moisturizer can increase the effectiveness of the product and give your skin a healthy glow,

However, if you are using a cleanser that does not go well with the moisturizer or it is very harsh, then it can also make your skin dry. Cealnsers with sulfates, isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, or fragrance lead to flaky skin. 

Overwashing the Face

Washing your face and taking care of your cleanliness is a good and healthy activity for you, your skin, and your surroundings. However, excess of everything is bad.

Overwashing the face removes oils and the natural moisturizing factors of the skin, Without these, the skin’s moisture barrier is disrupted and the skin becomes dry. 

Skin Conditions

Certain skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis make the skin look flaky, dry, and rough, They damage your skin barrier and cause skin peeling. This also makes your skin itchy and irritated,

These conditions are associated with allergies, smoking, alcohol consumption, skin infections, asthma, or the use of topical medications. 

Climate or Weather Conditions

Your environmental conditions can be a big contributor to why you have dry skin. Frequent exposure to cold and dry air takes away the moisture from your skin and makes it dry.

In addition, cold air in winter also has less moisture as compared to warm air therefore if you are living in a cold, dry place then moisturizer frequently to protect your skin. 

Frequent Hot Water Showers

Hot water showers are good for your skin but if the water is excessively hot or you are taking these hot showers frequently, they can also dry out your skin.

It is because the hot water damages the outermost protective layer of your skin and reduces the natural oils in your skin. This gives your skin a rough, flaky, and dry appearance.

Genetics and Race

Your genetics determine your skin type but this can be affected by other factors as mentioned above. Similarly, some races are naturally more prone to skin dryness as compared to others.

For instance, black people and Asians are more prone to skin dryness as their skin easily loses moisture.

Conclusion

Your skin can become dry and flaky even after using a moisturizer. It may be because you are using the wrong moisturizer or using it the wrong way. Your age, genetics, race, and environmental conditions can also play an important role in making your skin dry,

To find out the underlying cause, start by ruling out these factors and observe the changes in your skin appearance. Keep your body hydrated and take nutrients in your diet to let your moisture barrier be strong and your skin be healthy.