Why apply your lotion to skin that is still damp
By Jeremy Fain, founder of Restelys. Updated 17 October 2026. 2 sources cited.
The best moment to moisturise is the three minutes after a shower. Dermatologists have a name for this gesture.
Coming out of the shower, the upper layer of the skin is full of water. Left to dry in the open air, that water evaporates and takes some of the skin’s natural hydration with it.
Applying a lotion at that moment, on skin simply patted dry, locks this water in. American dermatologists describe the technique as “soak and smear”.
It is the gesture we recommend for our body lotion: pat yourself dry without rubbing, then apply a small amount to each area.
Sources
- Gutman A.B., Kligman A.M., Sciacca J., James W.D. “Soak and smear: a standard technique revisited”. Archives of Dermatology, 2005.
- Lodén M. “Role of topical emollients and moisturizers in the treatment of dry skin barrier disorders”. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2003.
Related products
Read also
The skin barrier, simply explained
Everything our care products do revolves around a layer of skin thinner than a sheet of paper. Understanding it explains why skin feels tight, and how to prevent it.
Sulphates and gentle cleansers: what happens in the shower
A shower gel does more than lather: it also removes some of the skin’s lipids. It all depends on the cleansing agents it contains.
Skin pH, and why your soap matters
The surface of the skin is slightly acidic. An overly alkaline soap upsets this balance; a gentle one respects it.
Hands washed twenty times a day: how to protect them
At the hotel, at the office or at home, our hands are washed far more often than the rest of the body. They pay the price.