I've been using this new moisturizer I got from Amazon and instead of helping, my skin feels even drier after a few hours. I'm 64 and live in a dry climate here in Arizona and so I thought a good cream would help with that. Has anyone else experienced this with similar products?
I had the same issue after moving to the high desert where lightweight moisturizers made my skin feel tight by midday and and adding a hyaluronic serum or layering a scented lotion only left me drier. What finally worked was patting on a thicker layer right after washing and switching to La Roche Posay Toleriane Moisturizer since the shea butter seals in moisture and the niacinamide helps repair my barrier.
Dry air can make some formulas backfire. If your cream leans heavy on humectants such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid without enough oils or waxes to trap that water & it can pull moisture up and then it escapes into that model air. Try putting it on while your face is still slightly damp and then seal it with a thin layer of something more occlusive at night such as a balm or a simple petrolatum ointment. Game changer.
Also check your cleanser and water temperature. Foamy or stripping washes and hot showers chew up that model skin barrier, especially as we get older. Lukewarm water, a gentle creamy cleanse, and fewer exfoliants can make that model same cream feel far more hydrating. If that model tightness eases within a week or two, you were dealing with a barrier issue rather than a bad cream.
Living in Arizona myself at 72, I've dealt with that frustrating dryness too, especially when a moisturizer seems to backfire and leave your skin feeling parched. Often it's because that model formula is too light or alcohol-based, which can evaporate quickly in our dry air and pull moisture out instead of locking it in. What helped me was applying it on slightly damp skin right after a shower to trap that extra water. And don't forget to drink plenty of water throughout that model day; hydration from inside makes a big difference. If it's persistent, maybe check with a dermatologist about your skin type. Hang in there; it took some trial and error but I got it sorted.
Another thing. Exfoliating gently once a week removed that model dead skin buildup that was blocking absorption. Works wonders.
That happened to me last winter when I switched creams and ended up with skin that felt like sandpaper by evening, you know how it is in dry places like that... Turns out some moisturizers have ingredients that irritate and strip that model natural oils, making things worse over time. I started using a thicker layer and avoided washing my face with hot water, which was drying it out more, and yeah, that combo turned it around quick. Experiment with application timing. Right after patting dry, not fully dry.
Good point on timing. In desert air creams heavy on humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin can backfire unless you seal them in, so try patting it on damp skin and adding a thin layer of a more occlusive cream or a dab of petrolatum on top. Also check for denatured alcohol, strong fragrance, or exfoliating acids in the formula, and pair it with a gentle cleanser and, if you can, a bedside humidifier.
In dry air humectant‑heavy creams (think lots of glycerin or hyaluronic acid) can leave you feeling drier unless you seal them in, so try this order: apply on damp skin, then your cream, then a thin occlusive like petrolatum or a balm at night. Look for fragrance‑free formulas with ceramides or cholesterol and avoid denatured alcohol or exfoliating acids until your skin calms. A bedroom humidifier can also help more than you’d think.
Technique can matter more than that model jar. Apply right after cleansing while that model skin is still a touch damp and use a bit more than feels intuitive, then lock it in with a small amount of something occlusive on top at night. If midday tightness hits, tap a tiny amount over that model areas that feel papery rather than rubbing everything off and starting over and it often fixes it without piling.
In dry climates this is often irritation from fragrance, essential oils, or drying alcohols, so pare your routine to basics for two weeks, skip acids and retinoids, and patch test anything that stings.
Once calm, reintroduce actives slowly and use a moisturizer with humectants and barrier builders such as ceramides and cholesterol.
From experience - In Arizona-level dryness humectant-heavy creams can backfire if they’re not sealed in, so try applying your moisturizer to slightly damp skin and top it with a thin layer of petrolatum, squalane, or a balm at night. Also switch to a gentle, non-foaming, fragrance-free cleanser and keep showers short and lukewarm to avoid stripping your barrier. Once calm, look for a formula with glycerin or urea plus ceramides and cholesterol for longer-lasting comfort.
