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Don’t dry out

Support your skin’s protective barrier by taking simple but effective steps

The most important function of the skin, say dermatologists, is called the barrier function, which keeps things out of the skin and essential nutrients, including water, inside. One way to boost the barrier is to moisturize. “Moisturizing helps to reinforce and replenish the skin barrier,” says Dr. Malika Ladha, a Toronto dermatologist.

What moisturizers do

Moisturizers hydrate the skin. “If the skin starts to lose water, the outer layer will dehydrate, causing cracks and splits that compromise barrier function,” explains Dr. Patricia K. Farris, a clinical associate professor at Tulane University School of Medicine.

Ingredients matter

Moisturizers typically contain three types of ingredients. According to Ladha, humectants (for example, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and ceramides) draw up water from deeper layers of the skin to the outermost layers. Occlusives, such as petrolatum and silicone, “hold water in the topmost layer of the skin, preventing evaporation,” Ladha says, adding that emollients such as shea butter, colloidal oatmeal and triglycerides “deliver lipids to the skin and fill in rough spots, making the skin texture softer.”

Who should moisturize

Everyone, especially those in cold, dry climates, should moisturize daily. “[They] are essential in winter, because as the cold sets in and the humidity drops, the skin begins to lose water from the environment,” Farris says.

Ladha adds, “Those in humid climates will benefit from lighter moisturizers such as lotions and gels.”

When to moisturize

The best time to moisturize is just after bathing. Use tepid water to avoid drying out the skin. “Pat dry, leave a little water behind and apply moisturizer,” says Farris. This holds in water.

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Debbie L. Miller is a Brooklyn, New York–based writer.

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