Why You Should Be Moisturizing Your Face
Updated: November 2022
Skincare can be very confusing if you are unfamiliar with the ingredients and steps needed to create a routine that works for you. But it doesn’t have to be. While a Google search may tell you it’s OK to embrace essential oils, your friends could simultaneously warn you that you’re doing it all wrong, leading you to be more uncertain than when you started. The first step is acknowledging that you need to moisturize, and the purpose of the moisturizer Next comes the products to use on your face, which can be a battle if you don’t know your skin type.
The fact is, everyone’s skin has a unique texture that typically falls into one of three categories: oily, dry, or combination. Moisturizing is essential for all of them, but certain creams work better for certain conditions. Let’s explore the benefits of moisturizing the skin, how to apply moisturizer, how often you should be doing it, and all the other details together so you can choose the right products to keep your visage soft and supple.
How to Apply Moisturizer
Coming in the form of a gel or cream, moisturizer application is a process. Ideally, you should commit time in your morning and evening routines to ensure it has time to absorb into the skin and begin to work its magic.
If you aren’t sure how much product to use, start by depositing a quarter-sized amount of product on the back of your hand. This ensures that you aren’t using too much or too little, especially if you are using a jar moisturizer where it is hard to determine how much you are taking out. Or, you can skip to dabbing a small amount on your forehead, cheeks, and chin before smoothing it into your skin in a circular motion. Run your fingers along all the contours of your face and invest extra massaging time in areas where you notice dryness. Take a small amount down your jawline onto your neck and rub it in. This will allow for the evenness of application, so the active ingredients work into all areas of your visage.
How Often Should You Apply Moisturizer?
For most skin types, applying moisturizer twice a day is sufficient for it to hydrate your skin. However, the frequency with which you apply it can depend on the type of product you are using, how your skin reacts to your moisturizer, and the overall look and feel of your face.
In the morning, moisturizer should be applied after you wash your face and before you put on makeup. You may want to choose something that is light and absorbs easily so other products can easily be applied overtop of it. In the evening, you can start by removing your makeup. A double cleanse is often a great way to get rid of any residue and have a clean base for your evening moisturization. It’s best to apply your cream or gel at least two hours before bed. That way it has time to work its way into your skin, and won’t rub off on your pillow.
If you don’t wear makeup throughout the day and notice dryness, you might be wondering “How many times should I moisturize my face a day?” Re-applying moisturizer more frequently can help. Be wary of areas on your skin where you have to deal with increased oiliness, as excess moisturizing here may lead to acne or clogged pores.
How Do You Apply Moisturizer?
Starting off with a clean face is paramount. Since moisturizer absorbs into your skin, you don’t want it to latch onto oils or dirt on your face. Maybe you’ve heard of other skin products, like serums, that you would like to incorporate into your routine too. These can enhance skin moisturizer benefits, and work together to smooth your appearance into one that is soft and glowing.
After cleansing, you can use a serum or cream if you like, something like vitamin C which has benefits to your skin by itself, but also when combined with other products. After those have time to sink in, apply any spot treatments to potential problem areas on your skin. This could be an acid or another cream that works specifically for acne. After that you can apply your eye cream.Once that product has been properly worked in, you can go ahead with your moisturizer. Gently massage throughout your forehead, eyes, under eyes, cheeks and cheekbones, along your jaw and around your mouth and chin. This will help seal the previous steps in place, giving them a soft barrier to allow them to work into your skin.
What to Look for in a Moisturizer
Depending on your unique skin type, there are a few different moisturizer ingredients and parameters that might work best for your skin. Doing research ahead of time can save you from purchasing products that won’t work for you or may have adverse effects. Here are some ingredients and labels to keep in mind when shopping for a new moisturizer:
- SPF. Sun protection should always be top of mind, especially for your visage. Without it, premature aging, including wrinkles and spots, could potentially cause you to look older than you really are. An SPF of 30 is a great place to start. Check the label to ensure it is oil and fragrance-free so it does not block pores, cause irritation, or potentially increase dryness.
- Hyaluronic acid. Naturally occurring in the body, this acid retains water and keeps skin hydrated. It will work with the other ingredients in your moisturizer to smooth your appearance and can help your cream or gel go the extra mile. You might purchase it as a separate product, but some moisturizers also have it mixed in.
- Hypoallergenic. Even if your skin isn’t particularly sensitive, hypoallergenic creams and gels tend to contain fewer ingredients that are equally as powerful as other moisturizers. They decrease the risk of sensitivity yet are still as effective.
- Non-comedogenic. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, this label is likely your best friend. It lets you know that this moisturizer won’t clog pores, which is especially great if you tend to overapply or break out easily.
- Antioxidants. Moisturizers with antioxidants not only hydrate but can also brighten and cleanse. They work to keep away free radicals (which break down cells), and some of the most common ones include vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol, niacinamide, and vitamin A.
While there are plenty of things to look for the next time you are in the skincare aisle, there are also certain things to avoid. You know your skin best, so with a bit of research and prior knowledge, you may be able to determine products you should shy away from in general, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Colours and perfumes as added ingredients can cause irritation, or result in dry skin.
- Body moisturizing and facial moisturizing are not the same. Ingredients that work for your arms and legs may not work for your face, potentially clogging pores and causing acne.
- Excessive use of acids may unnaturally dry out your skin, causing it to flake and tear, or maybe even aggravate it while you are trying to hydrate it.
What are the Benefits of Moisturizing the Skin?
So just what does moisturizer do? It helps repair your face. Pollution, poor diet, cold weather, dry air, and stressful lifestyles can all dehydrate the skin. That is why we need to give our skin a little added help. While these elements are draining moisture away, the best method to hydrate and provide nourishment is by applying a moisturizer every day (and maybe drinking a little extra water!)
One of the first mistakes people make when using products on their skin is using a product that doesn’t necessarily fit their skin type. If you’re unsure of your skin type, the best way to determine this is to examine how your skin feels at the end of the day. Look to see if your T-zone (forehead and between the brows) is dry, oily, or somewhat normal.
If you’re suffering from oily skin on your face, or perhaps a bit of a combination, you may not think you need a moisturizer, but think back, and I’m sure you can imagine times in the winter when you suffered from occasional dryness. Keep this in mind when choosing a cream or a gel-based product, as over time and throughout the seasons, these can make all the difference in improving the issues you may deal with.
If your skin is often dry, you may be quick to overdo it with moisturizing in hopes it works faster. While climate changes will impact the skin on your face, it’s important to be patient and allow your moisturizer time to restore your skin. You may have to invest in a product that is more hydrating throughout the colder months if you aren’t seeing the changes you want to see within four to six weeks.
If you feel your skin is extremely sensitive, either because of oil production or excessive dryness that will not go away, we recommend visiting a licensed dermatologist to diagnose any conditions and prescribe products specially formulated for extreme skin types.
Tips About Moisturizers
Even the most informed beauty experts might have difficulty deciding on a moisturizer with many brands and products to choose from. Our top moisturizer tip is to know what kind of skin type you have before making a shopping choice based on ingredients or reviews. If you purchase a cream for dry skin but are primarily oily, it won’t work the way you hoped.
Our next tip is to keep things simple with your routine. Cleansing before moisturizing is key. If you only complete these two steps, that is completely fine! Your face will still be getting the care it deserves to reflect the beautiful appearance you are looking for.
Finally, how often should you moisturize your face? Consistency is key. Waiting until you are dry or your face is tight can slow the progress of the ingredients working to hydrate your skin. Building up your moisture barrier ensures that you can avoid common issues like dry spots or cracks and reduces the stress your skin has to deal with, allowing it to heal.
How Dermaworks Can Help
Moisturizing is an important part of any beauty regimen. If you’re battling dryness and you think you might need a little extra help, our dry skin treatments might be ideal for you. Facial mesotherapy uses microinjections of hyaluronic acid to improve the amount of moisture in the skin. Our physician is happy to have a consultation with you to fully understand your concerns and your desired results. From there, you can make an informed decision regarding the next steps in your beauty journey with us.
To learn more about this procedure or any of our other services, contact us.
