Sometimes the simplest questions have the hardest answers. Are you supposed to moisturize your face? Is it really necessary? And if it is, how do you do it?
The answer is yes. Moisturizing is essential for maintaining the natural glow on your face. It can help retain your skin’s natural moisture levels, which can keep the skin looking young and prevent dryness.
This article will take you through the answers to these questions to make sure you don’t make the wrong decisions with your facial routine.
Should You Moisturize Your Face?
Moisturizing your face is the most important part of your skincare routine. It helps to keep out harmful elements and allows for better absorption of other beauty products, all while keeping you looking young and fresh.
According to Dr. Alan Durkin, a board-certified dermatologist, moisturizing is important because it keeps your skin healthy by providing essential nutrients, which help to combat free radicals that cause damage to skin cells.
Moisturizing your face also promotes collagen production, which will increase elasticity under the surface of your skin so you don’t develop deep wrinkles or sagging skin.
Benefits of Moisturizing Your Face
1. No More Dry Skin
Moisturizers help restore moisture and balance your skin’s natural pH levels. By restoring and balancing these levels, you can prevent issues like dryness and irritation.
Moisturizers also work in different ways to bind with water molecules in the air for long-lasting hydration. This helps to make you feel more comfortable and helps your skin stay hydrated.
2. Fewer Wrinkles
By preventing moisture from escaping from the skin, moisturizing helps prevent signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines from forming. It also protects against UV damage which slows down the formation of wrinkles.
3. Brighter Complexion
Skin tone is determined by the amount of melanin in it. The production of melanin occurs in skin cells—the more melanin produced, the darker your face becomes.
Some moisturizers contain ingredients like vitamins and retinol which can help reduce the production of melanin or inhibit its activity; thereby making your complexion brighter.
4. Increased Cell Turnover
Your skin is made up of two primary layers- the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis is the top layer that’s responsible for producing new cells to replace older ones. This process of replacing old cells with newer ones is known as cell turnover.
As you age, your skin slows down its cell turnover rate, which leads to dull-looking skin and wrinkles. One way to increase this cell turnover rate is by moisturizing your face daily.
5. No More Blemishes
Do you have blemishes? All of us do. Most people use their favorite face wash and keep it moving, but what if I told you that moisturizing your face can help you get rid of them?
Moisturizing your face daily helps keep the outer layer of skin smooth and supple, which prevents dead cells from building up and causing dry patches or blemishes.
6. Sun Protection
You want to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, but exposing yourself to too much ultraviolet (UV) light can damage your face and cause wrinkles, age spots, and more.
Moisturizer not only plumps up your skin by adding water but also acts as a shield against UV rays when used correctly. Most moisturizers are made with chemical ingredients that also act as sunscreen when applied to your face.
7. Decreased Sensitivity
Applying a moisturizer to your face helps create a barrier between your skin and the environment, helping to protect it from things like bacteria, UV rays, and pollution. It also helps soothe your skin, which is especially important for those with dry or sensitive skin.
8. Reduced Acne
When you moisturize your face, you create a barrier between the outside world and the internal layer of your skin. This helps to lock in moisture and prevent acne-causing bacteria and other impurities from penetrating your pores.
When to Moisturize Your Face
“It is important to moisturize your face daily, no matter the weather,” explains Dr. Alan Durkin. “A general rule of thumb is to moisturize in the morning and at night to keep your skin healthy and hydrated all through.”
Moisturizing your face provides the necessary hydration that may be lost throughout the day. At night, it helps keep your skin plump and firm while you sleep, which reduces wrinkles over time.
However, there are specific times when it’s better to do so. For example, after cleansing, restoring moisture levels, and reducing muscle tightness and puffiness after exercising.
How to Apply Moisturizer on the Face
- Use a clean towel or washcloth to dry your face after cleansing.
- Take your moisturizer and then squeeze some of it onto your hand.
- Rub your palms together to warm up the product, then apply it to your face, starting from the center and moving toward other areas on your face.
- If you live in a hot climate like me, then apply extra lotion to places that are most vulnerable to sunburn.
- Don’t forget about the neck area. Apply lotion over there too.
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen if you plan on being outdoors.
Ingredients to Look For in a Moisturizer
The problem with moisturizers is that there are so many brands and products to choose from. Target has an entire aisle dedicated to moisturizers, and every brand seems to offer something different for your skin. It’s hard to know which one is best for you.
Here are some ingredients to check for to choose the perfect moisturizer for you:
Occlusives
Occlusives are substances with a greasy consistency that can prevent water loss. They work by forming an oily layer on the skin, which prevents water loss through evaporation.
Some common occlusive ingredients include petrolatum, mineral oil, and lanolin. There are other kinds of emollients, but these three are considered the most potent.
Humectants
Humectants are ingredients that help to retain moisture in the skin. They work by attracting water from the air and holding it in your skin. Once they have attracted water, humectants hold on to it until your body naturally releases it.
When choosing a moisturizer, look for humectants like propylene glycol, aloe vera gel, honey, and egg yolk. These ingredients can hold on to large amounts of water without breaking down or having any negative side effects on your skin.
Ceramides
Ceramides help to improve the skin’s barrier function. This is because they keep the skin smooth and flexible. They also help in retaining moisture in the skin, thereby reducing water loss out of the epidermis.
In other words, they’re essential for keeping skin smooth and plump. Some of the most common types include phytosphingosine, caproyl sphingosine, and hexadecanamide.
How to Moisturize Your Face Naturally
Use aloe vera
Aloe vera is a natural skin healer that contains enzymes, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and other nutrients that help soothe, moisturize and heal skin from the inside out.
How to use it:
- Cleanse your face with a non-drying cleanser to get rid of any impurities on your face.
- Cut a fresh aloe vera leaf from its plant and then peel off the skin.
- Using a tablespoon, scoop out the gel into a small container.
- Use the spoon to mash the gel until you’ve gotten rid of all chunks.
- Take the aloe vera gel with your fingertips and then apply a thin layer to your face.
- Leave it on for the rest of the day.
Try honey
Using honey as a natural moisturizer is an old remedy that has been used for centuries. Honey is one of the best natural moisturizers and it is also very affordable.
Besides being all-natural and organic, it is also suitable for any skin type and you won’t have to worry about any side effects or allergic reactions.
How to use it:
- Buy 100% raw honey then pour a small amount into a small container.
- Wash your face thoroughly with a cleanser best suited for your skin type.
- Apply a thin layer of honey on your face then let it sit for 20 minutes.
- Rinse the honey off with lukewarm water before patting dry your skin with a towel.
Moisturize with shea butter
Shea butter is an excellent ingredient for moisturizing your face because of its unique ability to restore moisture levels in your skin while providing nourishment.
It’s also great for treating several skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, dryness, and sunburn. Shea butter helps repair damaged skin cells by feeding them with fats and vitamins contained in it.
How to use it:
- Cleanse your face then pat it dry with a clean towel or washcloth.
- Using your clean fingertips, apply a thin layer of shea butter to your face.
- Avoid rubbing hard on the skin, just use gentle patting motions.
- Apply more shea butter if necessary.
- Leave it on your face as you’d normally leave your moisturizer.
FAQs
How often should you moisturize your face?
Two times a day. The first time is immediately after you get out of the shower in the morning. The second time is right before bedtime, around 10 pm or so.
This will make your skin look beautiful and healthy, even during those dry months when it seems like nothing will help your skin stay hydrated. You may also want to invest in a good quality night cream so that your skin gets the moisture it needs at night.
What happens if you don’t moisturize your face?
Your face gets dry. When the skin on your face becomes too dry, it can cause fine lines and wrinkles. You would then have to deal with premature aging, which is difficult to do if you are in your 20s or 30s.
Failing to moisturize your face is a terrible mistake that can cause lasting damage to your skin. You also start to see unwanted skin infections like eczema, acne, and rosacea.
Can moisturizing your face prevent acne?
Yes, it can. Moisturizing your face effectively prevents acne because your pores are less likely to clog up if they are well-moisturized.
If you don’t moisturize your skin, your pores will have a hard time getting rid of the excess oils that remain on your skin all day. This will result in clogged pores and can lead to acne.
Conclusion
Moisturizing your face is a great way to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy. If you have been on the fence about using a moisturizer on your face, now you know that it can have some great benefits for your skin.
A good moisturizer can help keep your skin from losing the moisture it needs as well as keep it from becoming too dry. Moisturizers also work to reduce the signs of aging and keep your face looking younger and healthy.
Moreover, you can add natural ingredients like honey, shea butter, and aloe vera into your daily routine so you can enjoy the benefits of moisturized, healthy skin for years to come.
Thanks for reading.
Visit Serum101 for more tips on moisturizers and other ways to keep your face looking great and youthful.
