How to Get the Most out of Your Moisturizer

Everyone needs four key skincare products as part of their home skincare routine: a cleanser, an exfoliant, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen. By following the tips below you can be sure you are getting the most out of your moisturizer so that your skin will look and feel great.

When to Apply Your Moisturizer

Moisturizer should always be applied to damp skin. For example, after getting out of the shower and toweling off do not wait more than 3 minutes before you apply moisturizer to your body. This locks moisture into your skin before it can evaporate. The same rule applies to your face as well.

Never apply your moisturizer to a bone-dry face. If you use toner than apply your moisturizer immediately after applying your toner. If you don't use toner, apply your moisturizer right after washing your face and gently drying it off.

How Much Moisturizer To Apply

Don't glob your moisturizer on your face or body. If you use too much product your skin will not be able to absorb it. Also if you use too much moisturizer then trying to apply other products on top, such as sunscreen and makeup, will be impossible. Your skin will also feel quite greasy if you overapply product.

Use about a quarter size scoop of moisturizer on your face. Of course, this amount can change depending on the consistency of the product you are using and how your skin is feeling. Sometimes you might find that your skin needs more moisturizer and other times less moisturizer. Your moisturizing needs will change with the seasons. In the winter you will need a thicker, creamier moisturizer and more of it while in the summer you will need a lighter weight moisturizer. 

Remember that there is no need to rub your moisturizer really hard into your skin. If you do this to your face you could end up hurting your skin instead of helping it. You can even tap or pat your moisturizer gently into your skin. Always be sure your fingers are clean before applying moisturizer to your face and don't forget to apply moisturizer to your neck and chest as well. Lastly, allow your moisturizer to really sink in before you move on with your skincare routine. 

Finding the Right Moisturizer For Your Skin

When it comes to skincare products a lot of people think that expensive is better. That certainly is not the case when it comes to finding a good moisturizer.

When buying a moisturizer, ingredients are what matter not price. It turns out that some of the cheapest moisturizer ingredients are also the most effective in helping the skin hold on to water. A good moisturizer has both humectants which draw moisture to the skin and occlusive ingredients which keep water from evaporating off of your skin.

Also, look for a moisturizer according to your skin type, and keep in mind that even if you have oily skin you should use a moisturizer. Someone with oily facial skin will want to look for a moisturizer that is a gel formulation instead of a cream. Someone with dry skin will want to use a cream or a lotion moisturizer.

Moisturizer Suggestions 

Facial Moisturizers:

• CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM (dry skin)
• Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion SPF 10 (oily skin)
• Simple Vital Vitamin Day Cream with SPF 15 (sensitive skin)

Body Moisturizers:

• Curel Continuous Comfort 24-Hour Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Dry Skin
• Eucerin Skin Calming Daily Moisturizing Creme
• Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion