There is a particular kind of dry skin that drinks a light lotion and, twenty minutes later, asks what else you've got.

This is where richer moisturizers start to make sense.

Dry skin isn't just “not enough water”

The outer layer of your skin acts as a barrier.

Among its jobs is keeping too much water from evaporating into the environment.

When that barrier is struggling — or the environment is simply very dry — water escapes more readily.

Cold weather.

Low humidity.

Forced-air heating.

Long hot showers.

Harsh cleansers.

Frequent handwashing.

They can all change how dry your skin feels.

Where tallow comes in

Tallow is a fat.

Applied topically, it forms a lipid-rich layer over the skin that can help reduce moisture loss and soften rough, dry-feeling skin.

This is a fundamentally different experience from repeatedly adding a very watery lotion.

Sometimes your skin doesn't need you to keep adding water.

It needs help holding onto it.

Try applying it after water

After bathing or washing, gently pat rather than aggressively drying your skin.

Then apply your moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp.

You don't need water dripping off you.

You're simply giving the moisturizer some water to help keep in.

Winter changes the equation

I live in Alberta.

The moisturizer conversation changes dramatically when the outside air is cold and the inside air is heated for months.

Skin that needs almost nothing in summer can suddenly want a rich cream every day.

I don't view that as your skin “becoming dependent” on moisturizer.

The environment changed.

Respond accordingly.

Don't forget the rest of the variables

If you're applying moisturizer six times a day and your skin is still furious, I wouldn't automatically shop for a seventh cream.

Look at:

• water temperature
• soap and cleansing frequency
• indoor humidity
• exfoliation
• fragrance
• wind exposure
• how often you're washing
• what is physically contacting the skin

The jar matters.

It just isn't the only thing that matters.

And that is basically the entire FATSKN philosophy.

More on winter skin: Why Your Skin Suddenly Needs More Help in Winter. If you want to try tallow on dry skin, Purist Whipped Body Butter is our everyday jar.