I’m not sure if it was the cute Leslie Mann commercial or if it’s because it’s the type of product that makes you stop and wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?” but when I heard about Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer ($8) I knew I wanted to try it. The brand claims that because it’s applied to wet skin, the lotion is instantly absorbed and locks in twice the amount of moisture compared to regular lotion—in half the time.
I’m not usually swayed by ads, but because it is true that skin care products work better when applied to damp skin, I figured once my usual lotion ran out I’d give it a go.
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The instructions are simple enough. Shower, but before you dry off, apply the lotion to wet skin. No need to rinse it off, just towel dry as usual and voilà—soft, moisturized skin that lasts for 24 hours, no after-shower step necessary.
True to their word, once my skin dried, it did feel super soft (maybe even more so than when I apply my regular lotion to dry skin). My favorite part was that it absorbed quickly—there was absolutely none of that slimy, greasy or sticky feel you’d expect when applying lotion to wet skin.
Because I have dry, sensitive skin, I’ve learned to be careful about the skin care products (and makeup) I use. Normally I’ll steer away from heavy fragrances, alcohol and other ingredients that can cause irritation. This time around, I didn’t apply that same rigorous criteria. The fragrance was a bit strong (I used the Nourishing Monoi Oil; Calming Green Tea and Refreshing Coconut Oil are also available), and while that should have been my first sign to stop and just use the shea butter I have in the house, I put the lotion on my arms and legs anyway. Unfortunately for my sensitive skin, that led to a not-so-pleasant reaction.
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After about 10 minutes, the irritation subsided (but the fragrance lingered) and I realized that just because this product is an in-shower skin care innovation, doesn’t mean my usual sensitive skin standards shouldn’t apply. I still love the idea of a wet skin moisturizer (and Leslie Mann), but I’ll wait to try the Calming Green Tea formula until my tub of shea butter runs out.
