Why is my skin still dry after using a moisturiser?

Why Is Your Skin Still Dry Even After Using a Moisturizer?

If your skin remains dry despite using a moisturizer, the problem isn’t just about hydration—it’s likely due to barrier dysfunction, improper product absorption, or an underlying skin imbalance. Here’s what might be happening and how to fix it.

🔍 1️⃣ Your Moisturizer is Not Locking in Water Properly

Moisturizers don’t actually “add” water to the skin—they work by trapping moisture and preventing water loss. If your skin is already dehydrated and lacking water, a moisturizer won’t be enough to rehydrate it.

✅ Solution:

• Apply your moisturizer on damp skin (right after washing) to lock in hydration.

• Use a multi-layer approach: Combine humectants (like hyaluronic acid), emollients (like squalane), and occlusives (like ceramides or shea butter) for full hydration.

Best NO FACE Product:
🔥 ACTIVITA Vital Cream (with Ceramides + Squalane)
→ Strengthens your skin’s moisture barrier to prevent water loss and restore deep hydration.

🔍 2️⃣ Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) is Too High

Your skin naturally loses water throughout the day, but if the barrier is weak, water escapes too quickly, leading to persistent dryness—even after moisturizing.

✅ Solution:

• Strengthen the skin barrier by using Ceramides, Squalane, and Vitamin B5 (Panthenol). (Vital Cream + BE Active Masque)

• Avoid harsh cleansers and alcohol-based products that strip the barrier.

• Use ACTIVITA Peptide Divide Age Toner to support barrier repair with peptides and hydration-boosting ingredients.

🔍 3️⃣ Your Moisturizer is Missing the Right Ingredients

Many moisturizers only feel hydrating but don’t actually repair the barrier or retain moisture properly.

🛑 If your moisturizer only has humectants (like hyaluronic acid) without occlusives, water will evaporate from the skin.

✅ Solution:

• Look for moisturizers with ceramides, fatty acids, and occlusives like shea butter.

• Use a hydrating serum (like Molecular Hydrator Serum) before applying your moisturizer to boost hydration.

🔍 4️⃣ Dead Skin Buildup is Blocking Absorption

If your skin has too many dead skin cells, your moisturizer can’t penetrate properly, leaving your skin feeling dry even after application.

✅ Solution:

• Exfoliate regularly with a gentle AHA/BHA formula like ACTIVITA Pore Prep Pads (Glycolic + Lactic + Salicylic Acid) to remove dead skin and allow better absorption.

• Use enzymatic exfoliants (like Clarifier ENZY Treatment) if you have sensitive skin.

🔍 5️⃣ Dehydration from Within (Internal Causes)

Dry skin isn’t just external—your internal hydration levels and diet also matter.

✅ Solution:

• Drink enough water (but remember: water alone won’t hydrate your skin without the right skincare).

• Eat healthy fats (avocado, nuts, omega-3s) to support the lipid barrier.

• Limit caffeine and alcohol, which can cause dehydration.

🔍 6️⃣ Hidden Causes: Retinoids, Overwashing, or Wrong Products

• If you’re using retinoids (like A1000 Retinaldehyde), your skin may go through a dry phase before adjusting.

• Washing with hot water strips moisture from the skin.

• If your cleanser is too harsh, it can strip away the natural oils, worsening dryness.

✅ Solution:

• Use H4O Resolve HD Face Wash (gentle amino acid-based, non-stripping).

• Switch to lukewarm water when washing your face.

• If using retinoids, balance it with a ceramide-rich moisturizer (like ACTIVITA Vital Cream).

🚀 The Best Routine to Fix Dry Skin:

✔ Step 1: Hydrating Cleanser → H4O Resolve HD Face Wash
✔ Step 2: Exfoliate (2-3x/week) → ACTIVITA Pore Prep Pads (removes dead skin)
✔ Step 3: Hydration Serum → Molecular Hydrator Serum (Hyaluronic Acid + Betaine)
✔ Step 4: Barrier Strengthening Moisturizer → ACTIVITA Vital Cream (Ceramides + Squalane)
✔ Step 5: Use Sunscreen (Daytime) → Prevents further moisture loss

🔥 Want to finally fix your dry skin? Try our lab tested proper hydration routine.

This routine is designed to maximize hydration absorption, strengthen the skin barrier, and deeply nourish the skin while ensuring that all products penetrate effectively. The key steps include pore-opening exfoliation, hydration layering, and barrier sealing for long-lasting moisture retention.

🌊 Step-by-Step Hydration Maximization Routine

1️⃣ Deep Cleanse & Pore Prep (Foundation for Hydration)

✔ H4O Resolve HD Face Wash (+ Facepal Pores)
🔹 Removes surface impurities & excess oil without stripping the skin barrier.
🔹 Facepal Pores deeply lifts impurities to allow better penetration of hydrating ingredients.

✔ ACTIVITA Pore Prep Pads (Glycolic + Salicylic + Lactic Acid)
🔹 Opens up the pores by dissolving dead skin cells & clearing pathways for deep hydration.
🔹 Ensures all hydrating ingredients absorb fully instead of sitting on the skin.

🛑 Skipping this step = Hydration ingredients won’t penetrate efficiently, leading to surface dryness.
✅ With Pore Prep Pads = Maximized hydration absorption into deeper skin layers.

2️⃣ AHA Hydration Booster (Prepares Skin for Maximum Hydration Absorption)

✔ ACTIVITA AHA Plus Radiance Toner (Glycolic + Lactic Acid + Vitamin C)
🔹 Refines the skin texture & boosts moisture retention by increasing cellular turnover.
🔹 Removes any residual dead skin cells for enhanced absorption of Molecular Hydrator.
🔹 Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection & brightening benefits.

🛑 If the skin is not exfoliated properly, hydrating ingredients will not absorb.
✅ With AHA Toner, skin is primed for deep hydration penetration.

3️⃣ Deep Hydration Layer (Flooding Skin with Moisture)

✔ Dermatology Science Formula Molecular Hydrator Serum (Hyaluronic Acid + Betaine + Cross-Polymer HA)
🔹 Provides multi-layered hydration at different skin depths for long-lasting moisture.
🔹 Hyaluronic Acid draws water into the skin, preventing dehydration.
🔹 Betaine reinforces moisture retention for a plump, smooth texture.

🛑 If applied on dry skin, Hyaluronic Acid may pull moisture out instead of locking it in.
✅ Apply on damp skin (after AHA Toner) for maximum moisture-binding effects.

4️⃣ Lock in Hydration & Strengthen Barrier

✔ ACTIVITA Vital Cream (Ceramides + Squalane + Panthenol)
🔹 Prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by sealing in hydration.
🔹 Ceramides strengthen the skin barrier, preventing moisture depletion.
🔹 Squalane nourishes the skin and enhances long-term hydration.

🛑 Without a moisture barrier seal, hydration will evaporate.
✅ With Vital Cream, hydration stays locked in for long-lasting moisture balance.

5️⃣ Intensive Hydration Boost (As Needed)

✔ ACTIVITA Be Active Conditioning Masque (Vitamin B5 + Vitamin E + Chamomile Extract)
🔹 Use whenever skin feels extra dry or dehydrated.
🔹 Vitamin B5 deeply hydrates and repairs the skin barrier.
🔹 Chamomile Extract soothes irritation and enhances skin comfort.
🔹 Vitamin E provides antioxidant protection while reinforcing moisture retention.

🕘 Recommended Use:

• 1-2 times per week for a deep moisture recovery treatment.

• Can be left on overnight for intensive hydration replenishment.

🚀 Optimized Routine Summary:

✅ Step 1: Cleanse & Pore Prep

• H4O Resolve HD Face Wash + Facepal Pores

• ACTIVITA Pore Prep Pads (to open up pores for better absorption)

✅ Step 2: Resurface & Boost Hydration Absorption

• ACTIVITA AHA Plus Radiance Toner (removes dead skin for maximum hydration intake)

✅ Step 3: Deep Hydration Infusion

• Molecular Hydrator Serum (floods the skin with moisture at multiple layers)

✅ Step 4: Seal & Strengthen Moisture Barrier

• ACTIVITA Vital Cream (locks in hydration and reinforces skin protection)

✅ Step 5: Intensive Hydration Boost (Whenever Needed)

• ACTIVITA Be Active Conditioning Masque (for deep moisture replenishment & barrier repair)

🔥 Final Thoughts:

✔ This is the most optimized routine for hydration absorption, maximizing moisture retention, and enhancing skin resilience.
✔ Combining pore-opening exfoliation (Pore Prep Pads + AHA Toner) with deep hydration layers (Molecular Hydrator + Vital Cream) ensures long-lasting skin hydration.
✔ Whenever extra hydration is needed, the Vitamin B & E Conditioning Masque provides an intensive moisture boost.