TikTok’s Post-Shower Lotion Debate Has ELLE Editors Divided

Never in my life did I think I’d see the day when people are arguing online about whether they should lotion after a shower. Growing up, for me, moisturizing was a must and a nonnegotiable final step before leaving the house. I can still vividly remember my dad rubbing a huge glob of Vaseline on my sister’s and my faces and knees before heading to school. Now, that same greasy look has much better marketing, as it’s commonly referred to as glazed and glowy skin. But on TikTok, not everyone seems to be convinced.

In fact, hundreds of people have been sharing their post-shower moisturizing routines or lack thereof. One side argues that slathering on a body lotion after a shower is simply too much work. Their opponents turn their noses up at that claim, arguing that lotion is an absolute necessity.

We reached out to some experts to confirm a few simple facts. “When you shower, especially when it’s with hot water, your skin’s natural oils get stripped away,” says Sheila Farhang, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Tucson, Arizona. “While not everyone will have issues skipping post-shower moisturization, those that have dry or sensitive skin, live in a dry climate, or even mature skin types will get a compromised skin barrier. For the body specifically, I’d say most people are under moisturizing. I recommend applying your moisturizer within a few minutes of taking a shower because it absorbs into the skin much more.” Other dermatologists agree. “From a dermatologic perspective, the post-shower window is an ideal time to moisturize because skin is still slightly damp, which helps enhance absorption and lock in hydration,” says Mona Gohara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine Department of Dermatology. Beauty founder Tracee Ellis Ross even took me through her holy grail bodycare routine last year shared that the key to supple skin was going in with a body oil while your skin is still wet from the shower, then patting dry with a towel (Gohara confirmed that the toweling method is best to reduce friction) and following up with a lotion or body cream on top.

I used to simply apply a body cream immediately after showering, but have adopted Ross’s practice over the last few months. For the scent, I sandwich an extra layer of a gourmand body oil on top of a cream, and my skin has never been smoother. For that reason, I firmly plant my flag on the pro-lotion side of the TikTok debate. But the rest of the ELLE team had their own thoughts on the online lotion discourse. Read their thoughts below.

Claire Stern Milch, senior digital director

“If I’m being honest, I’m a sporadic lotion user at best. I wouldn’t say I’m disciplined enough to do it after every shower (which, given my OCD, is often), but I try to make a point of it after shaving and in the winter. I usually go for something fragrance-free, like Eucerin.”

Kathleen Hou, beauty director

“I don’t want to blame everything on my parents, but we can add one more thing: They never told me to moisturize my body. I recall there being one dusty jar of drugstore body lotion in my mother’s bathroom, next to an assortment of often-used glass moisturizers from luxury skin care brands. The first time I saw someone full-body moisturizing was my freshman year roommate. She emerged from a shower, and lotioned from shoulders-to-toes. I then went into the bathroom, came out, and moisturized everything from shoulders-to-face. Priorities, I guess. I fully moisturize everywhere now because skin is skin and the sight of a scaly, pale ankle (my own) haunts me, but I would skip it if I could. I use a moisturizing body wash or oil to help.”

Katie Berohn, beauty editor

“If I didn’t put lotion on after showering, I think my skin would fall off. I keep mine in the shower so it feels like an extension of my shower routine. I’m so meticulous about it that I will bring body lotion with me to workout classes, and especially if I’m staying the night at someone’s house (I know from experience that other people cannot be trusted to have a supply of lotion available). Maybe it’s just because I have exceptionally dry skin, but forgoing lotion makes me feel like I’m breaking out in hives—my skin feels tight and uncomfortable, like I’m wearing an itchy sweater I can’t take off. I do know and love many people who do not use lotion after every shower, and I wish them the best, but I hope they know that a better (more moisturized) world is possible.”

Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor

“I’ve always lived by a few trusted ‘golden’ sayings: ‘Treat others the way you want to be treated,’ ‘You reap what you sow,’ and maybe the one that rang loudest while I was growing up, ‘Black don’t crack.’ My mother lathered us in thick shea butter, cocoa butter, and Vaseline, making my skin slippery-smooth and leaving my sheets oil- and butter-stained. Still, a simple act of love and concern for her children’s dry skin has led to an adult aversion to—gasp—lotioning before bed. I’m sorry, I just can’t. That’s not to say my ‘Black’ is cracking—quite the opposite, actually. This aversion has fostered a rigorous in-shower routine that prioritizes moisture that lasts well into the morning. No scaly, ashy skin in sight, as far as I can tell!”

Dale Chong, senior fashion commerce editor

“When it comes to body care, I don’t skimp on moisturizing on any level if I can help it. I love a body oil post-shower, pre-towel—and then on top of that, I’ll lotion myself up to lock it all in. And if I find myself strapped for time, the body oil will keep me hydrated on its own when I skip the lotion; it’s the best of both worlds. As for where I stand on the spectrum of the debate, I really don’t see how there’s even it’s a question; don’t we always want to be soft and touchable all the time?! And honestly, I’ve always known the best practice to be applying lotion once you’ve toweled off. When else would you use a moisturizer?”

Meg Donohue, associate fashion commerce editor

“I, for one, don’t lotion after every shower but that’s just because I’m LAZY. However, lotioning is, in fact, perfectly normal to do so, and actually, I’d encourage it. Don’t you want to look young forever? Hydration is key.”

Laura Tarafa, commerce writer

“When I first heard about this debate, I was honestly a bit surprised. Applying lotion after showering has been part of my routine for so long that I can’t imagine skipping it—I’d almost forgotten that not everyone does it. I’m a little jealous of those who don’t feel the need to moisturize every time! Personally, I stick to a gentle lotion that absorbs well and leaves my skin feeling hydrated without any stickiness or greasiness. For drier areas, I’ll layer on a richer body butter or cream, especially on my legs if I’m planning to wear something that shows them.”

Emma Aerin Becker, associate e-commerce beauty writer

“I didn’t realize how frequently people apply lotion until this debate broke out online (and in our office). As for myself, I always apply lotion to my legs after I shave them. Aside from that, I’ll occasionally apply a basic, fragrance-free lotion from the drugstore to my body if it’s the peak of winter and I’m feeling a little dry. That’s about it!”

Leah Romero, senior digital designer

“I lotion after every shower without fail, and I’m firmly on the side that not doing so is a bit controversial. It’s a habit I picked up in middle school from my mom, who always told me to ‘never look dry,’ and honestly, she was right. As someone who tans easily, dryness shows immediately. My routine starts with warming a dry oil in my hands and applying it all over, then going in with a thicker castor oil on areas that need extra attention like elbows, shoulders, knees. If I’m heading out, I’ll layer a fragranced lotion on top. And with summer around the corner, I’ll be reaching for a shimmer SPF oil—because glowing skin is the goal!”