When you’re deep in the journey of topical steroid withdrawal (TSW), you’ll come across a lot of different healing approaches — and one of the most debated ones is No Moisture Treatment (NMT).
This method involves completely avoiding moisturizers, showers, baths and sometimes even limiting water intake, with the goal of helping the skin rebuild its natural ability to produce and retain moisture. For some people, it’s a breakthrough approach that speeds up healing. For others, it can be extremely difficult — both physically and mentally — without the desired results.
In this post, I want to share my personal experience, why I chose not to do NMT, and how I supported my skin barrier naturally instead.
What is “No Moisture Treatment”?
The NMT method, developed by Dr. Sato, is based on the idea that moisturizing can prolong the TSW process by preventing the skin from re-learning how to retain hydration. Those who practice it typically avoid:
- Moisturizers and oils
- Baths or long showers
- Excess water intake
The goal is to “train” the skin to produce its own oils again.
While this method has helped some people, it’s not for everyone — and it’s important to approach it with awareness of your own body’s needs.
Why I chose to keep moisturizing
At the peak of my TSW, my skin was already extremely dry, tight, and painful. The idea of removing all moisture felt overwhelming — and honestly, unbearable.
I knew my body needed comfort and nourishment, not more restriction. Furthermore, since NMT doesn’t work for everyone, it wasn’t a risk I was willing to take. So I chose a different path: supporting my skin with gentle hydration and internal healing at the root cause.
Throughout my recovery, I continued to:
- Moisturize daily using natural, non-toxic butters and oils
- Cleanse gently with mild, fragrance-free products
- Stay hydrated by drinking filtered water throughout the day
These simple choices made a huge difference in keeping my skin calm enough to continue healing — without triggering more stress or inflammation.
Healing from the inside out
The biggest turning point in my TSW recovery came when I began working on my internal health. I partnered with a holistic practitioner who helped me uncover and support my root causes — from gut health and drainage pathways to liver and thyroid support.
As my internal systems began to function better, my skin naturally followed. Over time, my skin barrier restored itself — without needing to do NMT.
My thoughts on NMT today
I respect everyone’s journey. Some people swear by NMT, while others find it too harsh. Healing from TSW is deeply personal, and there’s no single “right” way.
What matters most is listening to your body, finding a pace that feels sustainable, and getting professional guidance when needed.
My advice? Don’t let fear or pressure push you into any one method. Healing takes time, and there are many ways to reach restored, resilient skin.
Final thoughts
If you’re going through TSW right now, please know you’re not alone. Whether you choose to try NMT or not, your healing is valid.
For me, focusing on nourishment — inside and out — was the most compassionate path forward. Moisturizing didn’t delay my healing; it supported it.
With patience, the right support, and consistent care, your skin can find its balance again.
Past TSW, I’m still working on my health — one step at a time.
