From the Treatment Room: "Why does my skin feel dry even though I use a heavy moisturizer?"

Dry skin can have different causes, and each one requires a slightly different approach. Knowing the difference can help you build a skincare routine that gives your skin what it truly needs.

• Dry skin type: Some people are born with skin that produces less oil. If you have a naturally dry skin type, your skin will always need extra nourishment and support.

• Dry skin condition: Even if your skin isn't naturally dry, it can become dry temporarily. Weather, harsh cleansers, over-exfoliation, hot showers, and too much sun can all strip your skin and leave it feeling tight, rough, or flaky.

• Dehydrated skin: This is different from dry skin. Dehydrated skin lacks water, not oil, and it can happen to any skin type—even oily skin. That's why adding hydration is just as important as adding moisture.

• A damaged skin barrier: When your skin barrier isn't healthy, it can't hold onto moisture the way it should. Water escapes more easily, leaving your skin dry, tight, flaky, and sometimes sensitive. 

• Internal factors: Sometimes dry skin starts from within. Certain medical conditions or deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamins A, C, D, and E, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to dry skin. If your skin remains persistently dry despite using the following skincare steps, it's worth discussing it with your healthcare provider. I wrote a blog post about this if you want to check that out.

  
  

Once you understand why your skin is dry, you can build a routine that addresses the cause—not just the symptoms. If your skin feels dry, your first instinct may be to reach for a heavier moisturizer. But healthy, hydrated skin isn't created by one product—it's created by layering products that each have a specific job. The reason layering works so well is that different ingredients work at different levels of the skin. Larger molecules stay closer to the surface, providing immediate hydration and smoothing the skin, while smaller molecules penetrate deeper to deliver longer-lasting hydration. 

Your 5-step layering routine.  Rather than focusing on specific products, think about the purpose of each step.

1. Cleanse:  Healthy skin is clean skin. Start with a gentle cleanser that removes dirt, oil, makeup, and sunscreen without stripping your skin. Double cleanse at night.

2. Hydrate:  Apply a hydrating toner, essence, or serum containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or beta-glucan to replenish water in the skin.

3. Treat: Apply treatment products tailored to your skin's needs. This may include Vitamin C for antioxidant protection, niacinamide to strengthen the skin barrier, peptides to support repair, or retinol as part of your evening routine.

4. Moisturize:  Apply a moisturizer containing nourishing ingredients such as ceramides, squalane, or fatty acids to strengthen the skin barrier and help lock in hydration.

5. Protect (morning only):  Finish your morning routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage and preserve your skin barrier.

Layering tips

• Apply products from the thinnest consistency to the thickest for the best absorption.

• Give each layer about 30 to 60 seconds to absorb before applying the next.

• You don't need a complicated skincare routine. A few well-formulated products that hydrate, repair, moisturize, and protect your skin are far more effective than using lots of products that don't work together.

• Pay attention to your skin. Its needs change with the seasons, your environment, stress levels, hormones, and age. Adjust your routine accordingly.

  
  

Final Thoughts

Your skin is constantly changing. Weather, age, hormones, stress, travel, and even the products you use can affect how it looks and feels.  By understanding your skin's needs and choosing products that hydrate, strengthen the skin barrier, and lock in moisture, you'll create a routine that supports your skin for the long term. Healthy skin isn't built overnight, but with consistency and the right ingredients, you can achieve skin that feels comfortable, balanced, and resilient every day. I'm here to help.