DRY OR TIGHT SKIN: WHAT A MOISTURIZER ACTUALLY DOES

When skin feels tight after washing, the first thing almost all of us do is put on more cream. Sometimes that works. But if it happens every time, with different products, I want to explain why the problem is rarely the amount.

Moisturizing isn't one single thing

A cream can work in three different ways, and good formulas combine more than one:

• Attracting water. Ingredients that hold water and keep it available in the outer layers.
• Replacing what's missing. Fats and lipids similar to the ones skin produces, filling in where the barrier is weakened.
• Keeping it from escaping. A layer that reduces water loss to the environment.

This explains something I'm often asked: why skin can be oily and dehydrated at the same time. Producing sebum and holding water are different things. You can have the first and lack the second.

When to apply it

On slightly damp skin, not completely dry. After cleansing, pat dry gently without rubbing and apply. It's a small detail that changes how it feels quite a bit.

Hydra Cream

It's the one I recommend most when skin is dry or mature: a day and night cream with a richer texture. These are its actives and what each one brings:

• Hyaluronic acid. Holds water in the skin, giving a sense of plumpness and softening the look of expression lines.
• Panthenol. A vitamin B5 derivative with moisturizing and emollient properties. It supports the skin barrier when it's compromised.
• Shea butter. Provides fatty acids and phytosterols, with emollient properties.
• Prebiotic fractions. Help rebalance the skin's microbiome and support the skin barrier.

The formula was developed in an authorized laboratory, with biochemists who specialize in natural cosmetics, and it contains no artificial fragrances. You can find Hydra Cream on its product page.

How I use it

• Dry or mature skin: morning and night, after cleansing.
• Normal skin: as a night treatment, once or twice a week. Because of its richer consistency, daily use can be too much.
• Combination or oily skin under treatment: only at night and only on dry areas, not the whole face.
• Eye contour: I also recommend it there, because the skin is thinner and appreciates the extra hydration.

What a moisturizer doesn't do

It doesn't erase wrinkles. Well-hydrated skin looks smoother and fine lines are less noticeable, but that's different from eliminating them, and I'd rather say so before you expect it.

It also doesn't replace sunscreen, or treat a skin condition. If you have dermatitis, rosacea or a persistent issue, that's for a professional to see.

And it doesn't make up for what happens on the inside. The water you drink and what you eat also show in how your skin feels: the cream helps from the outside, but it doesn't do that work for you.

— Daniela, cosmetologist at D'SKIN

This article is for information only and does not replace a medical or dermatological consultation. Every skin responds differently: if you have a diagnosed condition or are under treatment, check with a professional before adding a new product.