Moisturizing 101

As the experts of the skincare world, board-certified dermatologists are trained to understand your skin better than anyone else. They can help identify skin issues, treat various skin concerns, and provide advice on skincare routines and products—including body moisturizers for all types of skin. In this guide, we’re sharing some of the best practices for body moisturizing that dermatologists often recommend to their patients. Ahead, learn how to choose the right body moisturizer for your skin’s needs and support smooth, soft, and hydrated skin that looks and feels its best.

• Use a moisturizer with ceramides
• Choose the right texture for your skin type and concerns
• Moisturize every day
• Apply moisturizer to clean, damp skin
• Moisturize your face and body

BODY MOISTURIZING TIPS

1. USE A MOISTURIZER WITH CERAMIDES

”Ceramides, which are essential lipids found naturally in skin, play a crucial role in [maintaining] a healthy skin barrier,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu. “When ceramide levels are reduced, it can lead to dry and irritated skin.” According to Dr. Liu, using hydrating moisturizers containing ceramides “ can help to [hydrate] dry and irritated skin and support moisture barrier function.” When you hydrate and reduce further water loss, you give a damaged skin barrier time to heal. Learn more about ceramide’s important role in maintaining your protective skin barrier in our ceramides skincare guide.

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TEXTURE FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE AND CONCERNS

Moisturizers are not a one-size-fits-all skincare product. They come in many different forms—such as creams, lotions, and ointments—that can vary greatly in their textures, ingredients, and intended uses. In order to find the right type of moisturizer for your skin, you’ll need to consider your current routine, environment, and skincare goals.

Next, you’ll also want to look for moisturizers that are formulated with active ingredients that can help target your main skin concerns. If you’re concerned about rough and bumpy skin, for example, you could choose a moisturizer option like CeraVe Salicylic Acid Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin. With salicylic acid and lactic acid, this lightweight lotion formula helps gently exfoliate dead skin cells and smooth skin’s texture. Another option that can help soften very dry, rough skin is CeraVe Salicylic Acid Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin. Or, for those looking for a moisturizer option that helps with skin itching, scaling, redness, flaking, and irritation associated with psoriasis, we recommend CeraVe Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream.

Next, to help you choose the right texture for your skin’s needs, here are some of the key differences between lotions, creams, and ointments:

• Lotions: Lotions have a slightly creamy texture but contain more water than creams. They are generally described as lightweight and easy for your skin to absorb. Since body lotions are formulated with more water content than creams, they can be an effective moisturizer option for many types of skin.

• Creams: These moisturizers usually have a richer consistency than lotion formulas. Because they often feature emolients as a key ingredient, creams tend to have a thicker texture that is well-suited for dry skin types, mature skin, and seasonal dryness during the winter.

• Ointments: When comparing ointment vs cream vs lotion, ointments have the thickest texture. Ointments, such as CeraVe Healing Ointment, are typically considered a therapeutic moisturizer option for temporarily protecting and relieving very dry, chafed, chapped, or cracked skin. They often feature ingredients like petrolatum, which has a rich, jelly-like texture, and function primarily as occlusives. This means that, rather than being absorbed, ointments form a protective barrier on top of your skin that seals in moisture.

3. MOISTURIZE EVERY DAY

All skincare products require consistency in order to reap their full benefits—including moisturizer. “It’s huge to make moisturizing a routine, just like brushing your teeth—morning and night,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Daniel Sugai. Moisturizing your body twice per day can help keep your skin properly hydrated and nourished and help prevent dryness. Daily moisturizing is just as important when you’re on-the-go or traveling, according to Dr. Sugai. He recommends bringing your preferred moisturizer with you when you travel, “so you can stick with something you’re used to, to respect the skin barrier.”

4. MOISTURIZE ON CLEAN, DAMP SKIN

To help prevent water loss, dermatologists often recommend applying moisturizer to clean, slightly damp skin immediately after bathing. “Moisturizing after showering? It’s all about locking in that moisture,” says Dr. Daniel Sugai. When your skin is slightly damp, it can help moisturizers work more effectively at hydrating your skin and sealing in moisture. To get the most out of your moisturizing regimen, you’ll also want to avoid bathing habits that can potentially dry out or irritate your skin. “Make sure that showers are not long and hot,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Adeline Kikam, “because that can actually strip the skin of moisture.”

5. MOISTURIZE YOUR FACE AND BODY

As Dr. Adeline Kikam puts it: “You take care of your face, but what about the skin all over your body?” In other words, your moisturizing routine should provide just as much TLC and nourishment to the skin below your neck as it does the skin above it. “Moisturizing all over keeps skin [looking] healthy—even the less visible bits,” says Dr. Kikam. Remember to pay careful attention to the areas of your body that may be more prone to dryness, like your hands, feet, knees, and elbows.