Even if you’re downing your daily 64 ounces, your skin can still feel dry, tight, or dull. Why? Because hydration isn’t just about what goes in—it’s about how well it stays in.

The smart-sounding term for this is TEWL (transepidermal water loss). Think of your skin like a pool float: you can pump it full, but if there’s a tiny leak, it never stays bouncy for long. TEWL is that leak—the invisible escape of water from your skin into the air. It happens naturally, but things like dry climates, hot showers, or over-exfoliating make it worse.

The result? More common than you’d think: flaky, tight, irritated skin, and that “why won’t anything work?” moment with your moisturizer.

So how do you patch the float?

• Add water magnets (humectants): hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera—ingredients that pull hydration into your skin.
• Seal the surface (occlusives): oils, butters, and waxes that lock it in.
• Strengthen your barrier: ceramides, squalane, fatty acids—your skin’s natural defenses.
• Hydrate inside-out: electrolyte-rich water and water-packed foods (like cucumber + watermelon) make a noticeable difference, especially if plain water isn’t your thing 🙋🏼♀️.

The SparkNotes version: TEWL is why your skin might be losing water faster than you can sip it. With the right skincare and lifestyle steps, you can patch the leak—and keep your glow from fading. 😉