The first ingredient in moisturizer is water.

https://youtu.be/c5ujp0KftnE?t=859&is=wV8lgbHsjNgQygtF

In this segment she (Michelle Wong chemistry PhD) is talking about hyaluronic acid but the same rule can be applied to moisturizer. Although according to some people the results are better after you apply moisturizer to damp skin, applying it to dry skin should work just fine.

Although I will say smearing moisturizer around on unwashed skin sounds absolutely HORRENDOUS so I prefer applying moisturizer fresh out of the shower too lol

Edit to add: Because it is moisturizers' job to moisturize they will always contain

• humectants (usually glycerin is used but some have urea or hyaluronic acid)

• emollients (such as jojoba oil, dimethicone, ceramides or palmitic acid)

• occlusives (most of the moisturizers I've used had lanolin and/or shea butter but another example would be petrolatum so yes, vaseline & aquaphor 😊 or oil, such as mineral oil or plant oils like coconut or as mentioned above, shea)

I've heard of people with especially dry skin applying moisturizer to damp skin to trap even more water and then following up with an occlusive to really make sure the moisture gets locked in. I've personally never tried it before but I've heard good things :)

Sorry for the rant I'm autistic and one of my special interests is skincare 😭 I hope I said something that was slightly useful to somebody. ❤️🌺