Should I let skin dry before putting on a ceramide cream?

How should I apply a ceramide cream?

1. 1Wash your hands before handling the cream. For a bath or shower, use warm rather than hot water and keep it to 5 to 10 minutes.
2. 2Gently pat your skin with a towel. Remove excess water without drying your skin completely or scrubbing it.
3. 3Dispense the cream onto clean hands. If the cream comes in a tub, use a clean spoon or spatula rather than putting your fingers inside.
4. 4Smooth the cream onto your still damp skin immediately after bathing. For dry body areas, use enough to leave a thin, shiny layer and smooth in the direction of hair growth rather than rubbing vigorously.

Why is damp skin better?

Moisturizers coat the outer layer of skin, support its barrier and reduce water loss. A moisturizer helps keep water in your skin, which is a more useful job description than most cream packaging manages. Applying moisturizer immediately after a bath or shower is especially useful when managing eczema, where keeping skin hydrated helps reduce flare ups.345

What if my skin is already dry?

You can still apply the cream. Moisturizing whenever your skin feels dry is part of dry skin and eczema care, not just something to do after bathing. Damp skin is the best opportunity to lock in moisture after washing; it is not a requirement that prevents you from moisturizing later.4

How often should I use it?

For dry skin, apply moisturizer 2 to 3 times a day, or as often as needed. Include an application after washing or bathing and reapply when your skin feels dry. The useful cue is dryness and washing, rather than saving the cream exclusively for bedtime. Long, hot showers and harsh soaps can dry out skin, so changing how you wash matters alongside the cream.16

What if I have sensitive skin or eczema?

For dry skin, creams and ointments moisturize better than lotions, so the lightest texture does not automatically win the job interview. Applying moisturizer to damp skin can also make it feel less greasy as it traps existing moisture.26

If you have eczema, choose a fragrance free cream or ointment. "Unscented" is not the same as fragrance free: a product can contain fragrance that has been masked. Other ingredients can also trigger a flare. Before using a new product widely, apply a quarter sized amount to the inside of your arm daily for 7 to 10 days. Use it more widely only if that area remains clear. If the cream causes irritation, seek advice from your medical team.34

What if I also use a prescription steroid cream?

Do not apply an emollient, meaning a moisturizer, at the same time as a topical corticosteroid. Leave 30 minutes between them, in either order, to avoid diluting the steroid treatment. Keep the moisturizer step separate from the medicine step rather than mixing the two together.3

When does dryness need medical attention?

Contact a clinician if dryness and itching disturb your sleep, scratching leaves open cuts or sores, or regular skin care does not help. Severe, widespread or recurring itching also needs assessment. If itching develops during pregnancy, contact your GP or midwife rather than treating it only with moisturizer.167