We all know keeping our skin hydrated helps us look and feel better; after all, our skin is the largest organ we have, so we need to treat it well. Sure, keeping a lotion handy at our desk or slathering it on during the winter months is a given, but is that all we need to do to keep our skin happy? When it comes to our face, are the moisturizing rules different? How often should you moisturize your face? What type of moisturizer is best for your skin type? We’re covering these questions and more below.
The world of beauty can be pretty overwhelming and confusing at times, right? Don’t worry, we’re here to help clear things up and answer some common questions about skincare.
How many times a day should you moisturize your face?
Typically 2x per day is the magic number: once in the morning and once before bed. A rule of thumb is to give your skin a hydration boost each time you wash your face. By applying moisturizers twice a day, you are ensuring a constant moisture content throughout a 24-hour period.
What skin type benefits from moisturizers?
Generally speaking, all skin types can benefit from some extra moisture oomph. It’s important to know what is the best type of moisturizer to use to help you achieve your skin’s highest potential.
Your skin type can affect how often you moisturize your face; each type has its unique needs. To get the best results from your skincare routine, you need to first determine what type of skin you have. Here is a basic breakdown of each skin type and what type of skincare products you should use:
Dry skin
Symptoms of dry skin are pretty self-explanatory: dry skin feels dry to the touch, can give a pulling sensation when you smile or move your face, and can cause fine lines to become more obvious. Dry skin is less efficient at maintaining a moisture balance thanks to its naturally low level of lipids. If you have dry skin, you want to use a face moisturizer that can help keep your skin safe from environmental irritants. Choose skincare products with ingredients like vitamin E, lanolin, ceramides, and glycerin.
Oily skin
Oily skin naturally has more oil on the skin, especially on the forehead and nose (AKA the T-Zone). This type of skin generally has a shiny appearance most of the time and is more prone to acne. When it comes to choosing a face moisturizer, make sure to use a lightweight formula to avoid clogging your pores.
Combination skin
Combination skin is exactly what the name implies: a combination of dry, oily, and normal skin. You might have some oily spots, and a few dry patches and part of your skin is normal. You can use oil, gels, or lotion with combination skin, but lightweight formulas are best if you have any oil overproduction.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin shows signs of inflammation that can affect any skin type, but it most commonly afflicts those with sensitive skin. Dry skin is naturally more prone to showing signs of inflammation because of the tiny cracks that can occur in dry skin. To help curb the signs of inflammation and irritation in dry skin, choose products that are made for sensitive skin to avoid further problems.
How should I incorporate a facial moisturizer into my daily skincare routine?
The healthiest, happiest skin is one that gets properly treated and cared for on a daily basis. The best way to ensure you’re taking great care of your skin is to start an easy-to-follow routine like this one:
- Start your day with a good quality cleanser that doesn't strip your skin's natural moisture levels. We love our Deep Pore Cleanser for this – it goes above and beyond to exfoliate, detox and nourish the skin.
- Incorporate a gentle exfoliator or toner to get rid of dead skin cells, get a deeper clean, and help get your glow on.
- Use a serum according to your skin needs, or use an antioxidant ultra-hydrating serum to help protect your skin from daily irritants. Your daytime serum should contain at least one of these key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol, and vitamin B3. These ingredients help protect the skin from daily aggressors and moisture loss.
- Apply a rich moisturizer in a circular motion all over your face and neck. Our skin loses its ability to retain natural moisture as we age, so applying a daily moisturizer at least twice a day is crucial to supple skin.
Choose a daytime facial moisturizer that has at least SPF 30. Moisturizers formulated for daytime use protect the skin against environmental stressors like pollution and ultraviolet radiation.
