Regular moisturizing is super important, says Craig Kraffert, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dermstore. However, right To actually heal extremely dry skin, you need a moisturizer, and Dr. Kraffart says that a thicker product, like a thick body cream instead of a thin body lotion, is the key to quelling extreme dryness.
According to experts, here are the ingredients you need to make a powerful body lotion that will actually hydrate dry skin:
✔️ EmollientsThese are humectants, essential in any lotion for dry skin, as they smooth, soften and prevent moisture loss, says Dr. Kraffart. They come in the form of oils (plant, mineral, or animal), butters (like shea or cocoa butter), or fatty acids.
✔️ MoisturizerMoisturizers draw moisture to the skin, helping it increase its hydration over time. Our experts like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1,000 times their weight in water and “create a barrier on the skin, locking in moisture and improving the feel and texture,” says Dr. Engelman.
✔️ Ceramide: As we age, our skin’s lipid layer, which locks in moisture and acts as a barrier against pollutants, bacteria, and signs of aging, diminishes. “Ceramides help restore the skin’s barrier by holding cells together,” says Dr. Engelman. “As a result, skin feels smoother, plumper, and more hydrated.” Look for skin-care products that contain ceramides or niacinamide, which boost the skin’s natural lipid production.
✔️ Occlusion agents: Whereas emollients and humectants hydrate, occlusives sit on top of the skin, creating a barrier that prevents further moisture loss and acts as a shield against moisture-striping elements like wind and cold. Occlusives come in the form of waxy or oily ingredients like petrolatum, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, beeswax and cocoa butter. Applying an additional layer of an occlusive like Aquaphor helps lock in moisture, and frequent application can help keep skin’s moisture levels balanced, says Dr. Kraffart.
