Why & How to Moisturize Skin When it’s Wet

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I’m sure you can tell that I’m really excited for fall to officially start, since I can’t stop talking about transitioning into cooler days. With that said, there’s one thing I’m not looking forward to: dry skin.

Does anyone else get scaly skin during fall and winter? I do, especially on my legs, which are easy to neglect when the weather gives you an excuse not to show them off. Plus, straight out of the shower, I want to jump into a sweater and flowy pants, not stand there chilly as I apply lotion. Totally logical.

A little over a year ago, I discovered that if you moisturize skin when it’s wet, it stays hydrated and softer longer. It’s a pretty simple concept, really: you’re trapping the moisture that’s on the surface of your skin and getting it to sink in rather than letting it evaporate. With the right product, you can get better hydration and cut time off your post-shower regimen, since it can be done before you even step out of the tub.

You can totally just go about your normal shower routine and tack this on at the end, but here’s how I get the most out of moisturizing wet skin to make the effects last.

First off, I like to start out by applying my body wash with a mesh shower pouf for gentle exfoliation.

If my skin is looking particularly scaly, or I have noticeable dry patches, I’ll work in a scrub to get rid of dead skin. This will help the skin absorb your moisturizer more easily later, as well. You can make your own DIY body scrub with equal parts brown sugar and honey and a splash of olive oil. Keep it in an airtight jar and use it when your skin needs a little extra TLC. Rinse off the scrub and we’re ready for our final step!

Finally, apply your moisturizer while your skin is still wet! I’ve tried several moisturizers that are targeted for this purpose, but the easiest has to be the Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer. Not only does it absorb instantly into wet skin, but you don’t need to rinse it off! Just pat your skin dry after application and you’re done. That’s such a time saver. Plus, the creamy consistency doesn’t leave a slippery residue on your skin (or the bottom of your tub), which is a huge plus. It keeps dryness away longer, so my skin needs less attention and maintenance– and I can just hop into a comfy outfit straight out of the shower!

I usually pick up a bottle for around $7 at Target in the “Every Day” section of the bath and body aisle. Heads up: there’s going to be a 5% off coupon in the circular starting on 9/13, so look out for that!