Journal · Face & skincare

How to moisturise very dry skin naturally

Does your skin feel tight after a shower or flake on your shins? It mainly lacks lipids, the fats that hold water at its surface.

Mains réchauffant un baume entre les doigts, près d'un bol de flocons d'avoine, de beurre de karité et de cire d'abeille
By Updated on 3 November 20265 min read

Discover the habits that restore skin hydration, the natural ingredients that have been studied and the signs that call for medical advice.

The essentials in 30 seconds · TL;DR

  • Dry skin lacks lipids; dehydrated skin lacks water.
  • The key step: a rich product on still-damp skin, after a short, lukewarm shower.
  • On the face as on the body, a balm or rich cream protects better than a lotion.
  • In one study, sunflower oil respected the skin barrier better than olive oil.
  • Itching at night, red patches or cracks: see a doctor.

Dry or dehydrated skin: what is the difference?

In short: dry skin lacks lipids, long term; dehydrated skin lacks water, temporarily, whatever your skin type.

Dry skin Dehydrated skin
What is missing lipids water
Duration long-lasting temporary
Signs roughness, flaking, itching tightness, fine lines, dull complexion
What it needs a rich product every day water, then a product that holds it in

These lipids bind the surface cells together: this is the skin barrier, covered by the hydrolipidic film. Without them, water evaporates, which is why skin is often both dry and dehydrated.

Why does skin become very dry?

In short: age, cold weather, hot water and harsh soaps are the most common causes.

  • Age: dryness becomes more common, especially in dry mature skin.
  • Winter: cold, dry air and central heating weaken the skin barrier.
  • Washing: long, hot showers, alkaline soaps, frequent hand washing.
  • Health: eczema, psoriasis, diabetes, thyroid disorders, or some medicines such as diuretics.

How to moisturise very dry skin naturally: 5 steps

1. Shorten your shower

Five to ten minutes in lukewarm water, with gentle or superfatted cleansers. Pat your skin dry.

Expected result: fewer lipids washed away, less tightness.

2. Apply your skincare to damp skin

Apply your product right after showering: the rich texture holds in the water still present.

Expected result: skin that regains its suppleness from the first applications.

3. Attract water, then hold it in

Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera or honey attract water but are not enough on their own: cover them with an oil or a balm, which forms a protective film.

Expected result: hydration that lasts.

4. Choose a rich texture

On dry areas (shins, elbows, hands, feet), a rich moisturising cream or a balm works better than a lotion, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Expected result: less visible flaking within a few weeks.

5. Humidify the air and protect your hands

A humidifier in winter, gloves for washing up and for the cold.

Expected result: fewer flare-ups in winter.

The three families of skincare ingredients: humectants, emollients, occlusivesHumectants such as glycerin, honey or aloe vera attract water into the outer layer of the skin. Emollients such as plant oils, shea butter or tallow fill the gaps between cells and soften the skin. Occlusives such as beeswax, lanolin or petrolatum form a protective film that limits water evaporation.Attract water, soften, seal inThe three families of skincare ingredients and what they do in the outer layer of the skin.Humectantsattract waterglycerin, honey, aloe verawater binds in the outer layerEmollientsfill gaps and softenplant oils, shea, tallowlipids bind the cells togetherOcclusiveslimit evaporationbeeswax, lanolin, petrolatumless water evaporatesprotective filmOn very dry skin: attract water, then seal it in under a rich layer.Simplified diagram, not to scale. Oils and butters also partly limit evaporation.
Diagram — Attract water, soften, seal in: the three families of skincare ingredients. Based on Purnamawati et al., 2017.

Which natural ingredients should you choose?

In short: the best studied are sunflower oil, coconut oil, aloe vera and oats.

Ingredient What we know
Sunflower oil preserved the skin barrier in adults (2013)
Virgin coconut oil as effective as mineral oil on dry legs (2004)
Argan oil more water in the epidermis of postmenopausal women (2014)
Sweet almond oil emollient, used on the face and body, little studied
Shea butter rich emollient, handy for elbows and heels
Aloe vera known for its soothing and moisturising properties; hydration measured in a cream (2006)
Oat bath protects the skin and holds in water

And olive oil? In a 2013 study, it impaired the skin barrier of 19 adults within a few weeks. It is not the first choice.

Choose virgin oils, organic if possible, stored away from light. Homemade recipes that contain water keep poorly: make them in small amounts.

Can beef tallow help very dry skin?

In short: it is an emollient fat used for centuries, but no controlled trial has yet tested it on human skin.

Tallow is beef fat, rendered and then purified. Its fatty acids (oleic, palmitic, stearic) are also found in skin lipids, although it is not identical to sebum. In fact, the Latin word sebum means "tallow".

A 2024 review identified 19 studies and concluded that there are major gaps. Its value lies in its nature as a fat, close to shea butter.

What about the ADEPSIA Balm?

No clinical study has been carried out on the balm itself. Reactive or acne-prone skin: test it on a small area first. To learn more: our beef tallow guide.

When should you see a doctor?

In short: when dryness does not respond to care or comes with other signs.

Seek medical advice if:

  • itching wakes you up at night;
  • red patches or bleeding cracks appear;
  • dryness persists despite regular care;
  • it appeared suddenly, with tiredness, thirst or a change in weight.

Frequently asked questions

Which natural ingredients work best for very dry skin?

An ingredient that attracts water, such as glycerin or honey, combined with a fat: sunflower oil, shea butter, beeswax or tallow.

How should you apply your skincare for the best results?

On damp skin, in a small amount warmed between your fingers. See the right technique.

How can you prevent dryness day to day?

Short, lukewarm showers, a gentle cleanser, skincare morning and evening, air that is not too dry, gloves against the cold.

Dry or dehydrated skin: how can you tell?

Dry skin is rough and flaky; dehydrated skin feels tight, even when it is oily.

Which home remedies help very dry skin?

An oat bath, a honey mask rinsed off after fifteen minutes and shea butter. Avoid irritating products such as lemon or bicarbonate of soda. See also honey on the skin.

Key points to remember

To moisturise very dry skin, the routine matters more than the ingredient: little hot water and a rich product on damp skin, every day. This simple beauty ritual is often enough; if not, talk to a doctor.

At ADEPSIA, we favour ingredients whose function is clearly identified, without attributing clinical effects to a product that have not been demonstrated.

Scientific and medical references

Bibliographic references without active external links. Sources checked on 3 November 2026.

1. Purnamawati S. et al. (2017)
The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review. Clinical Medicine & Research. PMID 29229630. DOI 10.3121/cmr.2017.1363.
The three families of skincare ingredients: humectants, emollients, occlusives.

2. Engebretsen K. A. et al. (2016)
The effect of environmental humidity and temperature on skin barrier function and dermatitis. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. PMID 26449379. DOI 10.1111/jdv.13301.
Effect of cold and dry air on the skin barrier.

3. Danby S. G. et al. (2013)
Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: implications for neonatal skin care. Pediatric Dermatology. PMID 22995032. DOI 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01865.x.
Olive oil and sunflower oil in 19 adults.

4. Agero A. L., Verallo-Rowell V. M. (2004)
A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis. Dermatitis. PMID 15724344. DOI 10.2310/6620.2004.04006.
Trial in 34 patients over two weeks.

5. Boucetta K. Q. et al. (2014)
Skin hydration in postmenopausal women: argan oil benefit with oral and/or topical use. Przegląd Menopauzalny. PMID 26327867. DOI 10.5114/pm.2014.46470.
Study in 60 postmenopausal women, not blinded.

6. Dal’Belo S. E. et al. (2006)
Moisturizing effect of cosmetic formulations containing Aloe vera extract in different concentrations assessed by skin bioengineering techniques. Skin Research and Technology. PMID 17026654.
Study in 20 women, creams with aloe extract.

7. Kurtz E. S., Wallo W. (2007)
Colloidal oatmeal: history, chemistry and clinical properties. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. PMID 17373175.
Review of colloidal oatmeal; authors employed by a skincare manufacturer.

8. Russell M. F. et al. (2024)
Tallow, Rendered Animal Fat, and Its Biocompatibility With Skin: A Scoping Review. Cureus. PMID 38910727. DOI 10.7759/cureus.60981.
Review of tallow research; gaps in evidence for human skin.

9. American Academy of Dermatology
Dermatologists’ top tips for relieving dry skin ; Dry skin: Who gets and causes.
Shower length, rich textures, causes and medicines.

10. sante.fr (2024)
Sécheresse de la peau et des ongles. Service public d’information en santé.
Hygiene advice and warning signs (French public health information service).

This article is for information only and does not replace medical advice. The studies cited are not evidence of the clinical efficacy of the ADEPSIA Balm.