Face Moisturizers for Happy & Healthy Looking Skin
April 20, 2023
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You’ve been told that a face moisturizer is an essential step of any skincare routine — but do you actually know what a moisturizer is and what it does? In this guide, we’re covering all the essential FAQs for face moisturizers, including why you need a moisturizer, what a moisturizer actually does, how to moisturize your face, and how often to moisturize.
Why Do We Need Face Moisturizer?
Everyone’s face produces a certain amount of oil (sebum) which helps to keep the skin lubricated. Some people produce too much oil, while others produce too much, and face moisturizers help to balance everything out. People with dry skin don’t produce enough oil and need a thick moisturizer to help supplement their natural sebum product. People with normal or oily skin still need to use a lightweight moisturizer to prevent their skin from becoming too dry, which will kickstart sebum production. In other words, if you have been told that you don’t need to wear moisturizer if you have oily or acne prone skin, that’s simply not true.
What Does Moisturizer Do?
Moisturizers are crucial for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and ensuring that Natural Moisturizing Factors stay balanced. Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF) are substances in your skin’s upper layers that help to keep it hydrated, smooth, and healthy. Applying a moisturizer topically helps to reinforce your existing NMF and supplement them if you’re not producing enough naturally.
Moisturizers also help to seal in your other skincare products and prevent them from rubbing off as easily. They form a protective layer on the top of your face, especially if you use a thicker cream or balm. This can be helpful for preventing windburn and other irritation caused by friction.
The occlusive barrier formed by a moisturizer can also stop transepidermal water loss that occurs when the dry air in your environment causes water to evaporate from your skin. Wearing a moisturizer slows down this water loss and helps to stop your skin from becoming dehydrated.
How To Moisturize Your Face
To moisturize your face, apply roughly a quarter size amount of product in your hand, then rub your palms together to spread the product around evenly. Then gently rub the moisturizer all over your face, starting with your forehead and working your way down. You should apply the moisturizer to your neck as well as your face, and you can even apply it to your chest as well (though you might need more product for that). Don’t forget to apply an overnight lip treatment to ensure that your lips are moisturized as well!
How Often to Moisturize Your Face
You should use a moisturizer every time you rinse or wash your face. For most people, this means using a moisturizer twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Your moisturizer should be the next to last step in your morning skincare routine, followed by sunscreen. It should be the last step in your evening skincare routine, unless you decide to use an optional facial oil afterwards as well.
Benefits of Moisturizing Your Face
Still not convinced that you need to use a face moisturizer every time you wash your face? Here are some benefits of moisturizing your face:
- Relieve and prevent dryness
- Soften and smooth skin
- Keep your skin’s water and oil levels balanced
- Slow down moisture loss
- Prevent and soothe irritation
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Looking for suggestions about what moisturizers and other skincare products that you should be using for your face? Take our skincare quiz for personalized recommendations to help you put together a routine!