Why Your Moisturizer Is Not Working for Dry Skin (And What to Do Instead)

When you buy a moisturizer, you apply it twice daily on your face. For a short period, they can make your skin feel soft and luxurious, but soon after, they may leave your skin feeling tight, flaky, and dull – not much fun at all.

If this has happened to you, don't be too hard on yourself; rather, try to identify anything going wrong in your current beauty regime – there may well be something you need to change.

In India, there can be particular challenges when you're dealing with dry skin. Hard water, dry winters in Northern states, air conditioning all year round, and face washes that remove too many natural oils from the surface of the skin all contribute to the issue of dry skin.

So although, indeed, your moisturiser isn't performing to spec for your dry skin, it may not necessarily be because it is a bad product – in fact, the reason why your moisturizer is not working for dry skin could be because your skin's barrier is not yet ready to receive the moisturiser.

Now let's see how we can fix this. 

Why Your Skin Stays Dry Even After Moisturising

Understanding why skin is still dry after moisturizer requires knowing how skin hydration actually works.

Skin contains an outer protective layer referred to as the skin barrier (think of a brick wall; when it's intact, it holds onto its moisture), and when it's damaged or weakened will not hold onto its moisture and will allow moisture to continuously escape, regardless of the moisturiser you apply on top. This is what is referred to as Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) and is the primary reason your moisturizer is not working for dry skin.

Some of the main factors that contribute to a damaged skin barrier among many of their clients include:

1. The use of harsh cleansers that contain sulfates strips not only dirt but also the natural oils on your skin.

2. Taking hot showers and using hot water when washing your face can cause you to lose the lipid layer of your skin.

3. Hard water (common in most Indian cities) contains higher levels of calcium and magnesium, which create buildup on the skin and prevent it from healing.

4. Using a moisturizer on completely dry skin gives you minimal absorption.

5. If you have truly dry skin, a gel-based, lightweight moisturizer will not provide adequate moisture.

6. Alcohol-based toners or other products typically seen in Indian skincare regimens will also dry your skin out from the inside out.

This is the honest answer to why skin is still dry after moisturizer - the barrier itself needs fixing first.

The Right Way to Fix Dry Skin - Step by Step

Dry skin hydration tips India need to account for local conditions. Here is what actually works:

Step 1 - Start with a gentle, hydrating face wash

The type of facial cleanser will determine how well you can apply your other skin care products. If an ultimate facial cleanser strips away the natural oils from your skin, you’ll not be able to compensate for that with a moisturizer. Look for an equivalent facial cleanser that doesn’t contain sulfates and helps protect the moisture network of your skin with added botanicals (e.g., Aquaxyl).

PrakritPurity has developed a specially formulated Aquaxyl Face Wash for Dry Skin. This facial wash is non-sulfate-based, gentle, and effective in cleansing your skin but not stripping it of its natural oils, thus allowing you to retain your skin’s natural barrier.

You’ll experience the biggest improvement for dry skin if you apply moisturizer while your face is still wet. After washing your face with water, use a towel to blot your face. The face should be wet - all the water should be off of it, and it still should feel slightly damp rather than mostly dry.

Step 2 - Apply moisturizer on damp skin, not dry 

You should apply your moisturizer within 60 seconds of washing your face to allow your skin to absorb and seal in the moisture it needs to be fully hydrated. The majority of Indian moisturisers are made with only emollient ingredients that will help to keep your skin soft on the surface of your skin; however, without the additional moisture-creating ingredients (Humectants) in conjunction with your Emollient moisturisers, you won't have enough moisture drawn into your skin.

Step 3 - Choose a moisturizer with humectants AND emollients

To successfully treat dry and/or dehydrated skin, you need a combination of:

• Humectants (such as Glycerin & Hyaluronic Acid) – They attract moisture and pull it into your skin, as well as your skin's internal tissues, from the air around you.

• Emollients (such as Shea Butter, Almond Oil & Grape Seed Oil) – They fill in the gaps in your skin's moisture barrier so that your skin feels softer/pliable by providing a smooth texture.

• Occlusives (such as Vitamin E) – They create a very thin seal over the surface of the skin to keep in moisture.

Step 4 - Add a nourishing serum before your moisturizer 

Before applying moisturizer, add a nourishing serum to your ingredient-based foundation to ensure maximum hydration levels are reached. This way your skin gets the extra benefit of moisture from the product you apply after it (moisturizer) and from your serum. In addition to adding moisture to dry skin, serums can penetrate deeper than just applying the serum by itself. Try to find serums that are formulated with Sea Buckthorn, Evening Primrose Oil, or Rosehip Oil - all known for skin barrier repair and intense nourishment.

Step 5 - Stop washing your face with hot water 

You should also stop washing your face with hot water; this simple change can produce visible results in as little as 14 days. Hot water removes your skin's natural "lipid layer" and makes the skin barrier weak, porous, and unable to hold moisture. Lukewarm or cool water is the standard for how to fix dry skin naturally and is especially important in India, where tap water already tends to be hard.

What PrakritPurity Has Built for Dry Skin

This is the reason that PrakritPurity created the Hydrating Moisturizer so that its components produce synergistic effects and work below the skin’s surface as well as above it.

This formula contains the following list of ingredients:

1. Shea Butter - A thick emollient that has a moisturizing effect by softening and deeply nourishing, especially when used in traditional body lotion formulations.

2. Glycerin - is a proven "humectant" that attracts water and keeps it there (like most moisturizers), which provides your body with superior hydration.

3. Silk Protein - Increases elasticity and provides a soft, smooth finish without leaving a greasy residue on the surface of the skin.

4. Vitamin E Oil - Acts as an antioxidant to protect cells from oxidation and acts to repair cell membranes.

5. Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil and Almond Oil - Cold-pressed oils that nourish and replace lipids of the epidermis (the outer layer of skin), restoring moisture to the cells and making them look healthy and younger than before.

This is not a moisturizer not working for dry skin situations; it is an extremely effective moisturizer that was designed specifically to address the root cause of dry skin.

Paraben-free, fragrance-free, and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive dry skin (this is particularly relevant for Indian women because their skin seems to react negatively to many synthetic additives). 

The addition of the PrakritPurity Nourishing Face Serum from their Dry Skin collection will deliver concentrated hyaluronic acid and other ultra-hydrating actives that work to both nourish the skin barrier and to prepare it for the protection provided by your moisturizer. This is a great option if you're looking to add an extra layer of nourishment and hydration to your skin before applying your moisturizing cream. 

Bottom Line

A moisturizer not working for dry skin is almost always a routine problem, rather than the product itself. Some major issues that often can be resolved with just a change in the application of your face products are washing with hot water, using a face wash that strips the natural oils off your face, applying moisturizer to a totally dry face, and skipping hydrating serums altogether. By resolving these issues first, use the best moisturizer for dry skin India and stick with it for two or three weeks; you'll see a drastic improvement in your skin.

Don't know what it is that your dry skin actually needs? Take PrakritPurity's free AI Skin Test, where you can discover the best products and techniques for your specific skin type! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my skin feel dry even after applying moisturizer every day?

If you are using a moisturizer for dry skin every day but still find your skin feels dry, your skin’s barrier may be damaged, allowing moisture to escape from your skin more rapidly than it can be replaced by your moisturizer. You should try using a mild facial cleanser; applying moisturizer on damp skin; and using a moisture serum to help strengthen your skin's barrier.

What is the correct order to apply skincare for dry skin? 

The best way to apply your moisturizers, serums, and/or toners is: a very gentle, non-irritating facial cleanser (If you use a toner, use it between the steps of cleansing and applying your serum), serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen (if it is AM). The reason this application order is effective is that the active ingredients from your serums are allowed to penetrate your skin first, and then the moisturizer acts to seal in all of those active ingredients. This order will help to resolve the issue of the moisturizer not working effectively for dry skin conditions.

Is hard water making my skin dry? 

Yes, hard water is one of the leading causes of dry skin in India that many people do not realize. Hard water contains high amounts of calcium and magnesium, both of which will react with facial cleansers, forming a film on the skin and damaging the skin barrier, leading to dry and tight-looking skin. One of the most effective dry skin hydration tips that are often overlooked in India is the use of a shower filter, or rinsing off (after washing your hair and/or body) with mineral water. 

How do I know if my skin barrier is damaged? 

Signs that your skin barrier is compromised include: persistent dryness despite your use of moisturizing lotions, feeling tight after washing your face, redness or peeling, sensitivity to products that were previously tolerated well, and dull or rough-textured appearance. All of the above signs indicate that the barrier of your skin needs to be repaired before the moisturizer can provide you with optimal results.

Can I fix dry skin naturally without expensive products? 

Certainly! Many of the most effective natural ways of repairing dry skin require little or no monetary cost. Examples of these include: Using a moisturizing lotion immediately after your skin has been washed; avoiding taking long, hot showers; switching to a more mild facial cleanser; consuming plenty of fluids daily; and switching to a non-acidic face wash. Although simply changing these habits will produce noticeable improvements to your skin over time, the right moisturizing lotion will increase your rate of success.