If you’ve ever struggled with eczema or chronic skin dryness, you’ve likely tried every moisturizer on the shelf. But what if the key to healing was to actually stop moisturizing?

It sounds counterintuitive, especially because I created Everbella to help our skin conditions through moisturizing to protect our skin barrier, but that’s the foundation of No Moisture Therapy (NMT) — a method that challenges everything we’ve been taught about skincare. And yet, for many people, including myself, it’s helping the skin reset, rebalance, and truly heal.

 

My Experience with NMT

After redeveloping our natural self-care rituals and seeing significant progress, I still felt like my skin needed a deeper level of healing. So over the last few weeks, I decided to experiment with NMT.

The idea of withholding moisture felt intimidating at first, especially after years of nurturing my skin barrier with hydrating products. But what I found was surprising — as my body adjusted, my skin began to feel stronger, calmer, and less dependent on constant external moisture.

NMT helped me tune into my body’s natural healing rhythms (the four stages of skin healing) — teaching me that sometimes, less intervention allows the skin to do what it’s designed to do.

 

 

What Is No Moisture Therapy (NMT)?

No Moisture Therapy is a healing approach developed by Dr. Sato, often used to support recovery from Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) and chronic eczema. The concept is simple:
🌿 Withhold external moisture (lotions, oils, creams).
💧 Limit internal fluid intake (moderate water consumption).
☀️ Allow the skin to regulate its own oil and hydration production, through its natural recovery process.

By reducing moisture, the skin is encouraged to retrain itself — restoring balance, strengthening its natural barrier, and reducing dependence on constant hydration.

 

How NMT Works on a Biological Level

When we constantly apply moisture to the skin, it can weaken the skin’s natural feedback system. NMT aims to reactivate the sebaceous glands and sweat glands, allowing your skin to naturally regulate oil and hydration levels.

It also helps the nervous system recalibrate. When the body senses dryness, it triggers internal repair signals — stimulating circulation, rebuilding barrier lipids, and supporting the skin’s ability to retain moisture on its own.

 

What to Expect During NMT

Healing through NMT can feel uncomfortable at first. The skin might appear dry, tight, or flaky as it adjusts — but that’s part of the process. Over time, you may notice:
✨ Stronger, more resilient skin
✨ Reduced oozing and inflammation
✨ Improved barrier function
✨ Less itching and irritation
✨ Greater awareness of your body’s natural rhythms

Patience and consistency are key. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s restoration.

 

 

Combining NMT with Gentle Support

While NMT involves avoiding external moisturizers, you can still support healing holistically:
🌿 Focus on mineral balance and electrolytes to keep the body hydrated internally.
🥗 Nourish from within — healthy fats, omega-3s, and zinc-rich foods.
🧘🏽♀️ Keep the nervous system calm through rest, mindfulness, and breathwork.
🌤 Let your skin breathe — light clothing, sunlight, and gentle cleansing.

When you do choose to reintroduce moisture, do so mindfully — like with the Evergentle Bar Soap for cleansing and Eversoothe or Everhydrate Butters for protection once your skin barrier is ready.

 

Healing doesn’t always mean adding more — sometimes it means doing less.
NMT reminds us that the body is capable of extraordinary regeneration when given space to reset.

If you’re exploring this path, listen closely to your skin and body. With patience and balance, true healing unfolds in its own time.

 

As Always,

Your beauty starts with self-care

Mekisha