Still have dry skin after moisturising? Here's What you may be missing.
When most people think of skincare, they think moisturiser. A cream or lotion to soften dry skin, maybe with a nice scent or a few trendy ingredients. But the truth is: moisturiser alone is not enough, especially if you're serious about healing dryness, sensitivity, or eczema-prone skin.
At Wild & Rooted, we believe in going deeper. We don’t just soften the skin, we support your skin’s own wisdom to protect, repair, and glow. And that means understanding the layers of care your skin truly needs.
Let’s break it down and show you why your skin needs a moisture seal (a more accessible term for “occlusive”) like our Wild Roots Body Butter to stay healthy, hydrated, and strong.
💧 Hydration vs. Moisturisation: What’s the Difference?
We often hear the words hydration and moisturisation used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. Your skin needs both, but they serve different purposes.
🔹 Hydration = Water
Hydration refers to the water content in your skin. This can be:
- Intrinsic hydration – your skin’s internal water content (which can be affected by diet, hormones, stress, or hydration levels).
- Extrinsic hydration – moisture you add externally, like from facial mists, toners, or humectants (think: glycerine or aloe).
Dehydrated skin feels tight, rough, and dull. You can have oily skin that’s dehydrated it’s about water, not oil.
🔹 Moisturisation = Sealing It In
Moisturisation is about preventing water loss. This is where oils, butters, and balms come in. They don’t add water they trap it, forming a protective barrier on the skin. This slows down trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL)—which is especially important in dry climates, harsh weather, or if your skin barrier is compromised.
🧴 Why Moisturiser Alone Isn’t Enough
Most commercial moisturisers are water-based emulsions, often filled with silicones like dimethicone, cheap fillers, or synthetic preservatives. They can feel smooth and hydrating at first but here’s what many people don’t realise:
- They evaporate quickly
- They often contain very little in the way of real nourishment
- Some can clog pores or create a false sense of moisture without actually sealing it in
Even natural moisturisers that hydrate beautifully still need a final step to lock in the goodness especially for people with sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, or dryness due to sun exposure or seasonal shifts.
That’s where a moisture-sealing layer (what formulators call an “occlusive”) becomes essential.
🧈 What Is a Moisture Seal—and Why Does It Matter?
A moisture seal is the final, protective layer you apply to keep your skin hydrated for longer. Think of it like a gentle lid on a pot of simmering water: without it, everything evaporates. With it, the nourishment stays where it needs to be so your skin can repair, calm, and rebuild.
But this seal has to be the right kind one that supports your skin’s natural function without blocking it.
❌ The Problem With Synthetic Occlusives
Many mainstream skincare products use synthetic occlusives like:
- Dimethicone (a silicone that gives a silky texture but can trap dirt and dead skin)
- Petrolatum or mineral oil (derived from petroleum, often overused in barrier creams)
While these can be effective in creating a barrier, they don’t nourish the skin. Worse, over time, they may create dependence your skin stops producing its own healthy oils and becomes more reactive or dull.
✅ The Wild & Rooted Way: Natural Moisture Seals
At Wild & Rooted, we believe in supporting your skin’s natural intelligence—not replacing it or blocking it. That’s why our body butters are made with 100% natural butters and oils like:
- Shea Butter – rich in fatty acids and vitamins A & E
- Mango Butter – lightweight and soothing
- Grapeseed & Safflower Oil – easily absorbed, rich in linoleic acid for barrier repair
- Sea Buckthorn & Vitamin E – deeply regenerative, especially for inflamed or damaged skin
These ingredients don’t just sit on top of your skin—they melt in, nourish at a cellular level, and form a breathable, skin-loving seal that keeps hydration locked in.
🌿 Who Needs a Moisture Seal?
Everyone especially if you experience:
- Flaky, dry skin
- Eczema, hives, or sensitivity
- Windburn or sun exposure
- Seasonal shifts (dry winter or hot, dry summer)
- Over-cleansed or stripped skin
- Or if you want a natural alternative to conventional lotions
🛁 How to Use Our Body Butter for Maximum Benefits
- Start with hydration – Apply after a shower or mist your skin with a hydrosol or water-based product
- Warm a small amount of butter in your palms
- Press into damp skin, focusing on dry or stressed areas
- Use daily or as needed, especially before bed for overnight repair
🧪 What Makes Our Formula Different?
We never use dimethicone, petrolatum, parabens, or cheap fillers. Our butter is:
- Uncompromisingly natural
- Handcrafted in small batches
- Designed to support healing—not just cover symptoms
- Safe for the whole family, including sensitive skin types.
🔁 The Layering Method: Hydrate + Seal
If your skin feels dry even after moisturizing, chances are you’re missing the final step a moisture seal.
Here’s how to layer correctly:
| Step | Product Type | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleanser or shower | Prepares skin |
| 2 | Hydrator (mist, aloe, serum) | Adds water |
| 3 | Our Body Butter | Locks it all in |
This 3-step approach mimics your skin’s natural function - cleansing, hydrating, and sealing.
💡 Real-Life Uses for Our Body Butter
- After sun exposure to soothe and calm skin
- For kids with dry or eczema-prone skin (gentle and safe)
- On cracked heels or hands from handwashing
- As a barrier balm before swimming or cold weather
- On scars or stretch marks for nourishment and elasticity
🧠 Final Thoughts: Work With Your Skin—Not Against It
Your skin isn’t just a surface it’s your body’s largest organ, and a protective barrier all on its own. When you support it with real nourishment and smart sealing, it knows how to heal.
At Wild & Rooted, we don’t believe in quick fixes or forcing the skin to behave. We believe in partnering with nature, trusting in the body’s ability to repair, and providing tools not toxins to help it thrive.
If your current moisturiser isn’t cutting it, don’t just add more. Add the right layer.
🛒 Ready to Seal in the Goodness?
Try our Wild Roots Body Butter your new go-to for deeply nourished, soft, protected skin.
Use it as the final step in your routine and watch your skin return to balance, naturally.