Tips to optimize your facial moisturizer
Friday, 28 December 2007
Image credit: Kim Hee-Seon for DHC Korea Commercial
We all know that moisturizers are a key component of basic skin care and they ought to be applied to our face after each cleansing and toning as one of the crucial steps to keeping skin youthful and healthy. Moisturizers provide an immediate relief especially to dry skin and some are said to have anti-aging properties. But do we really know how moisturizers work and the best ways to optimize them?
If you look up information on moisturizers, you will find that moisturizers are used to restore the barrier function of the epidermis, cover tiny fissures in the skin, provide a soothing protective film, and increase the water-content of the epidermis.
The function of moisturizing compounds is to trap moisture in the superficial skin layer of dead keratinized cells. They work to keep water and necessary moisture from evaporating from the skin, thereby maintaining hydration and improving the appearance and tactile properties of dry and aging skin.
So what should we know about the application of moisturizers to make it work for our beauty regime? Here, I’m just going to touch on five dos and don’ts which I’ve come to learn over time.
1. Apply moisturizer to damp skin immediately after cleansing.
You may have read about this but you may not know why this is important. Applying moisturizer to a damp face helps to lock in the water from the upper layers of the skin, preventing evaporation. If you’re using a toner, always leave your toner damp before applying your moisturizer as the cream will help seal the hydrating benefits from the toner deep into the skin. Which is why it is always recommended to apply your moisturizer straight after cleansing your face. Don’t apply your moisturizer onto a dry face as it wouldn’t be able to trap in the excess moisture. But don’t apply to a wet face either because your cream will just slide off your skin.
2. Don’t apply moisturizer around your eye area.
I know some have said they do this all the time and it makes no difference. However, it should be noted that the skin around the eye area is different from the rest of the face. Moisturizers can be too rich and some can cause the growth of oil seeds if used on the eye area. In addition, the formulation of moisturizers can cause the delicate skin around the eye area to retain fluid and become puffy. So stick to a eye cream instead.
3. Don’t use a moisturizer with SPF at night.
While it is not really necessary to use a separate night cream to moisturize, one of the reasons why you would is because you might be using one with SPF protection. A moisturizer or lotion with SPF should only be used in the day for obvious reasons. Apply it in the night and you risk having your pores clogged in the long term.
4. Extend your moisturizer to your neck.
Remember to use your moisturizer on your neck as well, applying in an upward stroking motion. Most people tend to neglect their necks in their beauty regime but applying moisturizer is probably the most basic you can do.
5. Let your moisturizer dry before applying your foundation.
I always find that my foundation becomes streaky when I’m in a hurry. I realized that the trick is to always wait at least 5 to 10 minutes for the moisturizer to dry before putting on my foundation. Alternatively, I sweep a dry brush over my face before applying my foundation. The same applies when you apply sunscreen to your face.
I am aware that these tips aren’t rocket science but still, I know many women aren’t completely optimizing their moisturizers or using them the right way. Well, at least I know I didn’t at the beginning and I’m still learning along the way.
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Posted in Beauty | 25 Comments »
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December 29th, 2007 at 5:08 am
Thanks for the info. This is very useful. I cant believe that I have been using my face creme incorrectly.
Ive been using an eye creme and my eyes been puffing up even more, do you know why?
Thanks in advance
Linda: I’m not too sure. Eye creams shouldn’t cause that problem. Has there been changes in your diet too? Puffy eyes as I understand is mainly cause by fluid retention. How about trying to put that eye cream in the fridge and see if it helps with the puffy eyes upon application. Otherwise, you may want to change your eye cream.
December 29th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Thanks for the info. It sent me running for a new night cream. And I’d never thought about the SPF thing with night cream.
December 29th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Thanks for the useful information. I like your blog and will come and visit when I have time. Happy new year!
January 19th, 2008 at 1:45 am
Thanks for the tips!
When you are using treatment creams such as Retin A and other topical treatments, what is the order for using the creams and moisturizer? Is it moisturizer first and them cream, or cream first and then moisturizer?
Tiffany: Most topicals recommends that you apply the moisturizer before. But you need to make sure that the moisturizer is completely absorbed so you need to wait like 15 mins or more.
January 19th, 2008 at 2:39 am
What is an oil seed?
Red: Hi, it’s also known as milia seeds, which are embedded whiteheads and some are as hard as rice grains and have to be pricked out with a sterylized needle.
January 19th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
[...] makeup! Beauty Secrets Revealed shares a Relaxing And Soothing Foot Soak Recipe. Viva Woman offers 5 tips to get the most out of your facial moisturizer. Beauty and Fashion Tech reviews Laura Mercier Oil Free and Silk Creme Foundations. Makeup and [...]
January 19th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
[...] Viva Woman offers 5 tips to get the most out of your facial moisturizer. Beauty and Fashion Tech reviews Laura Mercier Oil Free and Silk Creme Foundations. Makeup and [...]
January 19th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
[...] Viva Woman offers 5 tips to get the most out of your facial moisturizer. Beauty and Fashion Tech reviews Laura Mercier Oil Free and Silk Creme Foundations. Makeup and [...]
January 20th, 2008 at 11:15 am
[...] Woman offers 5 tips to get the most out of your facial moisturizer.Beauty and Fashion Tech reviews Laura Mercier Oil Free and Silk Creme Foundations.Makeup and Beauty [...]
January 20th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
[...] Woman offers 5 tips to get the most out of your facial moisturizer. Beauty and Fashion Tech reviews Laura Mercier Oil Free and Silk Creme Foundations. Makeup and [...]
January 21st, 2008 at 12:26 am
[...] Viva Woman offers 5 tips to get the most out of your facial moisturizer. Beauty and Fashion Tech reviews Laura Mercier Oil Free and Silk Creme Foundations. Makeup and [...]
January 21st, 2008 at 5:36 am
Wonderful tips. Thank you.
January 21st, 2008 at 6:04 am
[...] Viva Woman offers 5 tips to get the most out of your facial moisturizer. Beauty and Fashion Tech reviews Laura Mercier Oil Free and Silk Creme Foundations. Makeup and [...]
January 21st, 2008 at 2:16 pm
thank you! this is very helpful =)
January 21st, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Some very useful tips presented nice and simple, thanks!
January 21st, 2008 at 8:17 pm
[...] Tips to optimize your facial moisturizer [...]
January 30th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Great tips. I’ve always waited for my toner to dry before applying moisteriser!
Are there any benefits to keeping toner/eye cream/moisteriser in thr fridge?
Lucy: Yes, keeping your skincare in the fridge keeps the products fresher, without having their ingredients degrade so quickly. However, take note that the fridge isn’t always the cleanest place due to bacteria surrounding the food items…so you need to ensure your hands are clean too, or keep the products in a bag or something…
February 7th, 2008 at 4:19 am
[...] my article on tips to optimize your facial moisturizer, I mentioned the importance of leaving your toner damp before applying your moisturizer as the [...]
March 19th, 2008 at 8:19 am
omg….i hav a spf moisturizer that i put on before mi foundation, but it wont moisturize mi face all the way…and during the schoolday….mi skin turns like crusty…i hate it….i lose confidence tthat happening to me….can u help me….i need a good moisturizer thats not super expensive..
Jinna: You didn’t mention your skin combo and it’s hard to recommend anything not knowing that.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:44 am
[...] time but since learning that moisturizer should be applied to damp skin in my earlier entry on tips to optimize your facial moisturizer, I’ve changed my routine and have been applying it straight after my bath. Does it [...]
October 27th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Hi,
I am a 23 yr old guy.Please tell me how can I remove the marks left by the pimples on my face?
Thanks in advance
Nouf: I know natural carrier oils like rosehip oil and vitamin E can help some people with these scars. You can also try using nutmeg powder mixed with water or yogurt and apply to your scars for 20 mins before washing off. But you need to persist and continue till the scars fade. I know there are medications out there that can help your problem too. I suggest you run through the search engine and find some of these information on the acne boards or forums.
December 27th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
i have oily T-zone area but the are near my neck is dry and flaky. do i need to use moisturizer? I am 25 years old by the way
Kathereen: Yes, you need a moisturizer but you don’t need to apply too much on your t-zone. Concentrate on your dry areas. In the day, if you use a sunscreen and it is moisturizing enough, then you can keep the moisturizer or just moisturize your dry areas. You may also like to read my entry on dual skin care strategy for combination skin to get some tips.
January 17th, 2009 at 9:05 am
[...] Viva Woman offers 5 tips to get the most out of your facial moisturizer. Beauty and Fashion Tech reviews Laura Mercier Oil Free and Silk Creme Foundations. Makeup and [...]
February 20th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Wow. i am so glad i stumbled onto this site.. really changes the way i apply moisturizer since i’ve been doing it wrong this entire time!
Jae: Hey, you’re not alone. I also did not do it correctly in the past. Better late than never.
February 20th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
thank you btw