system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: why does skin become dry after repeatedly washing it? why does it not get hydrated?

I work in a restaraunt and wash my hands often. Due to that, my hands are very dry and crack easily

Why does washing your hands dehydrate skin rather than hydrating it?
gpt
Your skin has natural oils on it to protect it from drying, like a sheet of wax paper. The moisture stays in your body, but washing repeatedly with soap gets rid of the oils and essentially opens your pores to the air, allowing them to lose the moisture. This is why it's a good idea to use lotion when possible (I work FOH and use an unscented brand) because it recreates that barrier on your skin.