How to Moisturize Your Skin and When to Do It

There are a lot of contributing factors to dry skin, such as medical and genetic conditions, weather conditions, and aging, and as much as we want to avoid them, there are things in life that are just beyond our control.

However, we don’t have to accept having dry skin as an inevitable effect of these factors. The best thing we can do for our skin is to moisturize. You can think of moisturizers as a barrier between your skin and cold air.

Dry skin, when not cared for, can cause a lot of skin problems such as itchiness, dry patches, and skin infections due to skin cracking, allowing bacteria to enter. That is why, it’s important to moisturize your skin daily if you want to steer away from these skin problems.

But how much is too much when it comes to moisturizing? Visit Cleverly Beauty to find out!

How about people with oily skin?

People with oily skin can use moisturizers too. They fear moisturizing will only make them oilier and break out. However, this is not really the case. Even dermatologists recommend using moisturizers to counter the effects of overwashing your skin, which can result in your skin producing even more oil.

What are the active ingredients in moisturizers?

Moisturizers work by rehydrating and quenching your skin, locking in the moisture. An active ingredient in a moisturizer is specifically formulated to address skin concerns.

Humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid are active ingredients in moisturizers, which hydrate the skin.

Occlusives such as silicones and lanolin are active ingredients in moisturizers that help your skin lock in moisture.

Other active ingredients are the emollients that keep the humectants and occlusives from separating.

So, how do you moisturize your skin? When is the right time to do it?

We will answer these important questions for you.

#1. Do a patch test before using a new moisturizer.

Do you swatch foundation, blush, and lipstick before you buy them? Well, you should do the same for skin-care products. Dermatologists recommend doing a patch test first before applying your new moisturizer. This is to ensure that it doesn’t cause any allergic reactions and breakouts.

Here’s the right way to do it: Apply a pea-sized amount on your inner arm where the skin is thinner rather than on the back of your hand. Wait for a day or two to see how you react to the new product. Make sure your moisturizer is non-comedogenic; otherwise, apply a pea-sized amount along your jawline and wait for a day or two to see if you break out.

However, it is always a good habit to check the label of any new moisturizer for ingredients that are potential irritants, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, retinol, and fragrance. These chemicals can be irritating to anyone, especially to sensitive skin.

#2. Use the right moisturizer for your skin type.

The key to choosing the right moisturizer is determining which ingredients will work best for you, specifically your skin concerns. Just because your sister, best friend, or significant other likes the effect of a particular moisturizer on their skin doesn’t mean it will also work well for you.

Keep in mind that a good moisturizer should contain a combination of these ingredients: humectants to attract water into your skin and more occlusives to lock in that hydration.

But there’s always an exception when it comes to skin type and concerns. There might be a need to look for a particular formula or ratio of the said ingredients. Dry skin may need a thicker moisturizer loaded with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, while oily skin may need moisturizers that are non-comedogenic or ‘oil-free’ and gel cream formulas.

#3. Apply moisturizer to clean and slightly damp skin.

While we all know that moisturizers should be applied to clean skin, for maximum results, apply them shortly after cleaning when your skin is still slightly damp. This is because damp skin will absorb the moisturizer much more quickly.

The best time to moisturize

You should apply moisturizer after bathing, exfoliating, and shaving. It’s important to moisturize after a nice warm bath because water and soap can strip all the goodness—including oil—leaving your skin parched and dry. You get the best results when you moisturize twice a day.

#4: Consider using a different moisturizer for your nighttime skin-care routine.

While you may choose to use your daytime moisturizer with SPF at night, there are some good reasons why there are night creams and why you may want to consider using them at night.

The process of cell mitosis, in which the cells repair and renew our skin, occurs at night between 11 pm to midnight. Night creams can actually help boost that process because of their special formulation. The level of our skin hydration declines at night, making night creams worth considering.

#5: Use an overnight mask every now and then.

Overnight masks are designed to penetrate the hydrating ingredients more deeply into your skin as you sleep. They work as a barrier and sealant, preventing dirt and dust from entering your pores. It lets all the good stuff work more effectively on your skin.

Conclusion

It is recommended to apply moisturizers twice a day—morning and night. Moisturizers should be applied on a clean face, preferably on damp skin, right after washing. So, regardless of what other skin products you use on a daily basis—make-up, sunscreen, serums—make sure your moisturizer is on the list!

Iskra Banović

Associate Editor at Blufashion | Website

Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at BlueFashion. She has been steering the website's content and editorial direction since 2013. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra's expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.