Do You Really Need to Moisturize After Showering?

Perhaps you enter your shower cubicle with the best intensions, but by the time you exit, that motivation to moisturize seems to have washed away with the rest of your face and body grime.

The truth is, moisturizing is a very important step in a skincare routine - and even more so in the winter months when your skin becomes even drier. 

If you forget to use body lotion after a hot shower, it's likely you'll end up with dry skin as a result. According to dermatologists, moisturizing after showering is essential for keeping the skin soft, supple, and healthy. Plus, it will drive out issues like dryness, itching, and flaking.

Here's everything you need to know about post-shower moisturizing, and why it matters so much.

WHY YOU NEED TO MOISTURIZE AFTER SHOWERING

According to dermatologist Dendy Engelan, MD, moisturizing after a shower keeps the skin barrier strong and dry skin diminished. It's a fundamental step everyone should be taking to maintain healthy skin. 

"In biology class, we were taught that water moves from higher concentration to a lower concentration, and that's exactly what happens post-shower," explains Engelman. "When you emerge from the shower, you have a higher concentration of moisture compared to the air — especially in the drier months with heaters. So water evaporates off the skin quickly, leaving the skin dry."

That means, there's really no better time to hydrate your skin that now -- right after stepping out the shower. 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T APPLY LOTION AFTER SHOWERING

When you don't slather on the lotion after showering or bathing, you're not locking in any moisture. In turn, you may experience dryness, flaking, itching, redness, or irritation. Some people even experience breakouts from showering in too hot water without following up immediately with lotion.

If your skin feels tight, dry, and itchy after showering, that's a sign you're spending too long in the shower, using too hot water, and that you need to start moisturizing asap. 

HOW TO OPTIMIZE POST-SHOWER HYDRATION

There are some ways to make your moisturizer work harder post-shower so you can maximize the effects. And usually these ways start in the shower.

Exfoliate 

For starters, the experts recommend exfoliating beforehand to allow your moisturiser to penetrate deeply into the skin, seal in natural oils, and keep skin smooth and nourished. Exfoliation buffs away dead skin cells, enabling other skincare products to absorb more effectively into the skin. 

Try our exfoliating GLOW MASK to dissolve dead skin and prep the body for ultimate hydration. It's made with glycolic acid + bakuchiol to shed skin of dull, dead cells to reveal a fresh, brighter layer of skin underneath. Simply apply and leave on for 10-15 minutes before showering for best results.

Use a Hydrating Body Cleanser

You can also significantly reduce shower-related dryness just by adopting a few good habits. For instance, swap your soap for a hydrating body cleanser infused with ceramides or glycerin. Good skin begins with the products you are using, and if your soap or body wash is dehydrating your skin, you won't be getting the most out of your moisturizer.

Crank Down Your Water Temperature 

Another tip: turn down your water temperature. Start showering in lukewarm water, which is much gentler on the skin and will prevent it from drying out.

Choose the Right Ingredients

The best moisturizers contain the best hydrating ingredients. They also typically contain either humectants or emollients, or both! Humectants pull water from the air into skin, while emollients lock everything in and replenish damage. Some of the best humectants include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and honey. And the most well-known emollients include shea butter, coconut oil, vitamin E, and jojoba oil. 

Every skin type can benefit from these skincare ingredients. If you have oily skin or acne-prone skin, however, stick to jojoba oil over other emollients as this is non-comedogenic, which means it won't clog your pores and cause breakouts.

Do it When It's Damp

And finally, always apply your moisturizer to damp skin, which absorbs product better than bone dry skin. Applying cream to damp, but not wet skin, locks in moisture for long-lasting hydration. 

SHOP BODY MOISTURIZERS AND SERUMS

Looking for the best body moisturizers and serums to keep your skin smooth and soft post-shower? When you choose a moisturizer you love, it's easy to keep up the habit of moisturizing after showering. So pick wisely! Here are our favorites!

Hydrate Body Butter

A fluffy, buttery body moisturizer made with coconut and vanilla to diminish dryness, discoloration, and irritation. This body butter will leave you feeling, looking & smelling smoother, softer, and sweeter than ever.

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Hydrate Jelly Serum

A juicy serum designed for the face and body. Hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 work in tandem in this formula to hydrate, repair, plump, and soothe the skin for a perky post-shower glow. It's perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Plus, it absorbs in a flash! 

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Anti-Cellulite Serum

While it's designed to target cellulite, this watermelon-infused formula also intensely hydrates, smooths, and nourishes skin for optimum hydration. It also contains vegan collagen to strengthen and condition the skin to visibly improve texture and firmness.

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WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO KEEP SKIN HYDRATED?

If you're dealing with chronic dryness, you may want to try a few other things to get your skin back to full health.

First, drink plenty of water. It's one you hear all the time, but it's extremely important for keeping your organs working optimally and your skin cells nourished and healthy. Second, load up on omega-3 and omega-6 oils, which help enhance your skin’s hydrating functions. You'll find these oils in fish, seeds, nuts, and avocados. 

We also urge you to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin from UV radiation and the effects that accompany, such as dryness, discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles.

It turns out, yes, you really do need to moisturize after showering if you want to avoid dryness and itching, and enjoy a smooth, silky-soft bod. So grab your lotion or serum, and get moisturizing!