Should I apply skin care to wet or dry skin?

Even the most seasoned skin care enthusiasts can make some missteps. daily activities - as if not knowing in what order to apply the products or mixing ingredients that don't go well together by chance. Another skincare fail is a habit we've all probably made: wiping our face before applying products. As it turns out, skin care products are actually best applied to damp or damp skin. We spoke with a board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Farber Schweiger Dermatology on why this is the case, what are the benefits of applying products to wet skin, and how to find out if this could be a life-saving step for you.

Does your skin care product absorb better on damp skin?

“The benefit of applying your products to damp skin is that it allows your skin to better absorb the main ingredients of those products,” says Dr. Farber. When your skin is moist and permeable, it is easier for most products to penetrate it. That being said, with the application of skin care products on wet skin comes a responsibility, she adds, such as "choosing the right products for your skin, make sure you don't overdo it with too many products and add appropriate moisturizers to help keep the regime balanced."

Can I apply moisturizer on a wet face?

“By far the best product to apply to damp skin is a moisturizer,” says Dr. Farber. “Applying moisturizer right after a shower is a great way to Keep your skin hydrated". If you need a recommendation, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream This is a rich moisturizer for face and body that we love for its non-greasy formula and ability to deeply hydrate the skin. 

Should serum be applied to damp skin?

However, when it comes to more potent skin care products like serums, you need to be careful about how much you apply. Because your skin absorbs more of the product while it's wet, this can often increase irritation (unless you're using a moisturizing formula like hyaluronic acid, in which case you want to apply the product to damp skin). As for skin care masks, you can apply them to freshly washed skin, but products like sunscreen should be applied (and again!) on dry skin.

How often should skin care products be applied to damp skin?

Dr. Farber advises to be mindful of how your skin reacts to certain products when absorbing more, because you may experience irritation. “Don’t start with a new product every day—especially on damp skin, as it will be more effective—but add gradually, a few days a week, and bring the skin back to normal,” she says. Of course, if you're not sure which products are safe for your skin, check with your dermatologist.