How to Moisturize Your Skin

Medically reviewed by Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD

Last Updated: April 4, 2024 Approved

Dry skin is a problem that affects a large portion of the population, either occasionally or chronically. A healthy moisturizing routine is the best defense against this affliction. The most effective moisturizing practices center on retaining the skin’s natural oils above all else. Since your skin is the largest organ on your body, make sure you practice good hygiene to keep it healthy.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing a Skin Moisturizer

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^{[1]
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Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist

Expert Interview. 8 October 2020.} You need to know this before you can choose the right moisturizer. To figure out your skin type, first wash and dry your face and wait an hour. Then, note how dry or oily your skin is. A more detailed guide can be found here.
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Find an appropriate moisturizer. Once you know your skin type, there are a few basic categories into which your skin will likely fall. Most skin will range from ‘oily’ to ‘dry,’ with ‘normal’ between the two. The other two main categories are ‘sensitive’ and ‘mature.’
- Moisturizers for dry skin are generally petroleum or oil-based.
- Oily skin calls for a water-based moisturizer. It should also be noncomedogenic to prevent your pores from clogging.^{[2]
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  Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD
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  Expert Interview. 8 October 2020.}
- Normal skin also needs a water-based moisturizer, but one which contains some oils, though much less than dry skin needs.
- Sensitive skin needs a moisturizer with medicinal or soothing properties. Look for moisturizers with chamomile or aloe, but stay away from those with fragrances, dyes, or acids.
- Try out body butter for a natural, oil-based option.
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It is quite common for a person's skin to be a combination of skin type categories. Your dermatologist will be able to prescribe a moisturizer tailored to your skin's needs. They will also be able to recommend additional skin care practices.

Quiz

wikiHow Quiz: What Skin Type Do I Have?

Oily, combination, dry, or sensitive—to take the very best care of your face, first you’ve got to know your skin type. Whether it’s acne, flakiness, redness, or oil that’s got you down, we’ll give you all the knowledge you need, and we’ll even recommend our favorite products for your skin type.

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Let’s talk about pores. How would you describe yours?

Honestly, they’re super noticeable, large, and all over my face.

They’re noticeable, but only really in my t-zone (AKA, my forehead, nose, & chin).

They’re pretty small. I can hardly see them!

I’m pretty sure my pores are average in size.

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Treating Dry Skin

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Does your skin feel especially tight, cracked, itchy or rough after a shower? For people with lighter skin, is your skin redder than usual? For people with darker skin, is your skin gray or ashy? If your skin is afflicted in these ways, you should pay extra attention to moisturizing to restore your natural oils.
Close the bathroom door to keep humidity in the room, and shower more quickly and at a lower temperature than usual. Since air-drying leaves your skin drier than before, use a towel - but make sure to blot rather than rub. Follow up the shower by applying your moisturizer.^{[3]
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Lip balms are an advisable part of a daily moisturizing routine, and especially important to use when treating dry skin. Avoid licking your lips, which can exacerbate the problem. Many lip balms also contain sun protective ingredients, which will protect your skin in their vulnerable state. If a new lip balm causes an adverse reaction, such as swelling, burning sensation, or redness, try a different product.^{[4]
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Some examples of harsh skin care products are aftershaves or colognes containing alcohol or alpha-hydroxy acid, and deodorant soaps. While your skin may normally be resilient enough to combat the negative side effects of these products, you should give yourself a chance to catch up. You may also look into buying special laundry detergent for gentle skin, at least during the treatment period for dry skin.
This is important in the winter, especially in windy and sub-zero temperatures. Wear gloves made of rubber or a similar material when washing dishes, since hot water and soap contribute to dry skin. Make sure you also apply a moisturizing lotion or cream to your hands regularly while treating dry skin, if that is an affected area.
Prolonged exposure to dry heat is the fastest way to dry out your skin. While a campfire may be fun in colder temperatures, make sure you are not too close to a dry heat sources like this because it will make your dry skin worse. When you are inside, make sure you use a humidifier or similar appliance to keep moisture in the air.^{[5]
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Maintaining Healthy Skin

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Good body wash products normally contain essential oils such as: coconut oil, olive oil and jojoba oils that help retain moisture. If you can, visit shops that specialize in natural products or consult a dermatologist for recommendations. Avoid cleansers with alcohol because they strip the skin of its natural oils.
Though it seems unlikely, showering can dry out your skin unless you take proper precautions. Methods for treating dry skin apply to regular maintenance in this area: towel-dry your skin, and make sure to blot rather than rub. Afterwards, apply moisturizer to areas prone to dry skin or exposed to open air, such as the hands and face.
For men, hydrate your face using a special pre-shave moisturizer or wet towel prior to shaving. Avoid using aftershave balms and lotions that contain alcohol, since this dries out your skin. For people who shave their legs, make sure to use moisturizing cleansers in the shower to prepare your skin.
Remember that those products are usually quite different from each other. Depending on where you are in the world, some moisturizers may need to have high SPF to protect your skin from sunlight and UV rays. Keeping moisturizer in your bag also reminds you to moisturize your hands after you have washed your hands.
Remember that the best cure for dry skin is prevention. Make sure you plan for healthy skin care practices even when you are traveling. Having a routine also allows you to practice good hygiene without having to devote unnecessary attention to your skin.^{[6]
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Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD
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Expert Interview. 8 October 2020.}
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Make lifestyle choices that benefit your skin.^{[7]
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Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist

Expert Interview. 8 October 2020.} There are several lifestyle choices you can make that will help your skin stay healthy and moisturized. Here are a few:
- Stay hydrated with water. Drink at least 2.2 liters of water every day (if you're a woman) and 3 liters (if you're a man).^{[8]
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- Don't smoke. Smoking makes your skin age faster, so you will develop wrinkles earlier than you would have. The only way to prevent skin damage from smoking is to quit smoking.^{[9]
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Expert Q&A

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What common household ingredients are good moisturizers?

Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist
Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil is a board certified Dermatologist, Dermatopathologist, and the Owner of Mudgil Dermatology, a state-of-the-art dermatology practice based in New York, New York. As one of the few dermatologists in the area to achieve board certification in both dermatology and dermatopathology, Dr. Mudgil specializes in all aspects of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. He received his Bachelor's degree with Phi Beta Kappa honors from Emory University and earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) with Alpha Omega Alpha honors from the Stony Brook University School of Medicine. In medical school, Dr. Mudgil was among a handful of students nationwide to receive a coveted Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship and Scholarship. He then completed his residency in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, where he served as chief resident. Additionally, Dr. Mudgil went on to complete a fellowship at the prestigious Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Society of Dermatopathology. Dr. Mudgil is also a member of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine teaching faculty.

Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist

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What is the most effective moisturizer for mature skin?

Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist
Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil is a board certified Dermatologist, Dermatopathologist, and the Owner of Mudgil Dermatology, a state-of-the-art dermatology practice based in New York, New York. As one of the few dermatologists in the area to achieve board certification in both dermatology and dermatopathology, Dr. Mudgil specializes in all aspects of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. He received his Bachelor's degree with Phi Beta Kappa honors from Emory University and earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) with Alpha Omega Alpha honors from the Stony Brook University School of Medicine. In medical school, Dr. Mudgil was among a handful of students nationwide to receive a coveted Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship and Scholarship. He then completed his residency in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, where he served as chief resident. Additionally, Dr. Mudgil went on to complete a fellowship at the prestigious Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Society of Dermatopathology. Dr. Mudgil is also a member of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine teaching faculty.

Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist

Expert Answer

For older mature skin, you should look for a petroleum-based moisturizer rich in oils.

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Question

How can I hydrate my skin naturally?

Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist
Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil is a board certified Dermatologist, Dermatopathologist, and the Owner of Mudgil Dermatology, a state-of-the-art dermatology practice based in New York, New York. As one of the few dermatologists in the area to achieve board certification in both dermatology and dermatopathology, Dr. Mudgil specializes in all aspects of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. He received his Bachelor's degree with Phi Beta Kappa honors from Emory University and earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) with Alpha Omega Alpha honors from the Stony Brook University School of Medicine. In medical school, Dr. Mudgil was among a handful of students nationwide to receive a coveted Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship and Scholarship. He then completed his residency in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, where he served as chief resident. Additionally, Dr. Mudgil went on to complete a fellowship at the prestigious Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Society of Dermatopathology. Dr. Mudgil is also a member of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine teaching faculty.

Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist

Expert Answer

Olive oil can be used to moisturize your skin. You have to be very careful when using something like olive oil, though, because some natural products can clog your pores. These products are called comedogenic, meaning they can be acne-forming.

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Tips

Try to pick a cream that possesses natural oils. This will make it easier for your skin to stay moisturized when inevitable and natural drying occurs in daily life.

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Even when your skin is healthy, do not shower with hot or scalding water. This is the fastest way to strip your skin of its natural oils as well as directly damage the epidermis.

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Changing seasons have a great impact on dryness as well as your skin’s oil production. The summer months should require somewhat less moisturizer, but make sure you continue its application to keep your skin healthy and keep your routine. In the winter, pay particular attention to your skin care practices.

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Warnings

Be cautious of skin care products you find on the internet, and make sure you know where the product is coming from.

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Those with severe or chronic dry skin should seek the help of a dermatologist or medical professional.

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Even after you have found an optimal skin moisturizer or other product, test it out. Apply it first to a small patch of skin on your upper arm and make sure that no negative side effects occur, such as rashes or drying.

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