Should I moisturize my face after cleansing every time?

Exposure to water actually dries the skin as it evaporates. When the skin becomes too dry, it loses the important protein and lipid brick and mortar building blocks that make the stratum corneum,, the protective outer skin barrier. Applying a moisturizer after cleansing seals in moisture and helps maintain a healthy skin barrier. Look for a product containing a potent humectant like glycerin or  hyaluronic acid to pull in moisture from the environment above and living skin layers below and an emollient like dimethicone or cyclomethicone to seal the spaces between skin cells and produce a silky feel. If your skin is very dry, make sure it also contains  an occlusive ingredient like petrolatum or an oil to keep moisture from evaporating.