The Science of Skin Hydration: More Than Just Moisturiser

“I use moisturiser every day, but my skin still feels dry.”
If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. Many of my patients do everything right — gentle cleansers, serums, even layered moisturisers — and yet their skin still feels tight, flaky, or dull. It’s frustrating, because it feels like your effort isn’t working.

But here’s the truth: when it comes to hydration, moisturiser is only one piece of the puzzle.

What’s really happening when your skin feels dry

Your skin’s ability to stay hydrated depends on more than how much cream you apply.
It’s about how well your skin barrier is holding water — and how healthy the deeper layers beneath are.

As we age, the skin produces fewer natural moisturising factors and lipids. Add in air-conditioning, stress, and sometimes a little too much exfoliation — and the barrier starts to leak water faster than you can replace it. That’s when no amount of cream feels like enough.

Why surface hydration has limits

Topical moisturisers work on the surface — and they’re important. But when the skin barrier is damaged or the dermis (your deeper layer) is dehydrated, surface products can only do so much.

That’s when we look at restoring hydration from within — rebuilding the skin’s ability to hold and circulate water naturally.

When you need a deeper approach

There are gentle, non-surgical ways to help your skin regain balance and moisture from within:

• Skinboosters - tiny microinjections of hyaluronic acid that act like water reservoirs in the skin. They don’t change your face shape — they simply restore that soft, luminous bounce.
• Polynucleotides - regenerative injectables that encourage your skin to heal and function better over time, improving texture and hydration in a more lasting way.
• Combination plans - pairing skinboosters or polynucleotides with light device treatments can enhance results beautifully.

Non-injectable ways to strengthen your skin barrier

If you prefer to avoid needles, there are other ways to help your skin retain moisture and feel more comfortable again:

• Corage 2.0 - a gentle QMR based recovery treatment that encourages healthy collagen regeneration, strengthening barrier function over time.
• LDM (Local Dynamic Micro-massage) - a soothing ultrasound therapy that supports lymphatic flow and cell health, often used to calm and hydrate stressed skin.
• Topical repair programmes - using ceramide-rich formulations, niacinamide, and gentle resurfacing to rebalance the skin’s lipid layer.

These aren’t quick fixes — they’re quiet ways to rebuild your skin’s resilience.

How to care for your skin at home

Daily habits still make the biggest difference.
Choose a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser rich in ceramides and humectants, and always protect your skin from UV. Avoid over-exfoliating, and don’t underestimate the power of healthy lifestyle or a balanced diet with healthy fats.

These small, consistent choices help everything else you do — injectables or not — work better.

Final thoughts

If you’ve been diligent with moisturiser but your skin still feels dry, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It simply means your skin is asking for a different kind of care — one that goes beyond the surface.

At the clinic, we take time to understand what your skin really needs, whether that’s barrier repair, hydration boosters, or regenerative therapy. The goal isn’t just to make your skin look better — it’s to help it behave like healthy skin again.

With care,
Dr. Chia Min Shan