Dry skin can make you appear old and wrinkled. One of the main aspects of a skincare routine is moisturizing the skin. Yet many people miss the vital role played by hydration in preserving healthy skin.
What makes it so essential to moisturize your skin? The solution lies at the outer layer of the skin (stratum corneum). If the outer layer works right, it allows the skin to fight the irritants and inflammation. Additionally, it helps to maintain hydration in the deeper layers of your skin.
The advantages of moisturizing the skin can not be overemphasized. This makes it important to consider the proper method of application of the moisturizer.
What Causes Dry Skin?
Your skin becomes dry when it cannot retain enough moisture. This could be as a result of using abrasive soaps, incessant bathing, or aging. The dry and icy winter air in cold climes is another primary influencing factor.
You don’t have to settle for flaking and rough skin because of the climate or aging. You have several options to relieve dry skin, and chief among them is moisturizing. Moisturizing is an excellent way to treat the unpleasant effects of dry skin.
Moisturizers are your skin’s protection from dry air. Just using moisturizers is not enough, you must adopt the right application techniques. Many people make common mistakes when moisturizing their skin. These mistakes can undermine the efficiency of the moisturizer. Let’s explore the proven tips for the best moisturizing results.
1. Moisturize at the Right Time
Many of us try to moisturize after showering to trap the moisture. The moisturizer slides off if your skin is too wet to hold it.
It’s advisable to apply your moisturizer after towel-drying your skin. The moisturizer works better when your skin is moist rather than dripping wet.
2. Don’t Wait Until Your Skin is Dry
It might seem reasonable to moisturize only when your skin is dry. At this stage, however, tons of dead skin cells undermine the moisturizer’s efficiency. You will build up sebum as your skin tries to lubricate itself.
Try to moisturize no less than twice daily. Apply your moisturizer in the morning after showering. This is arguably the most crucial one. The moisturizer protects you from sun exposure, and pollution during the day.
Moisturize 20-30 minutes before climbing into bed. Climbing into bed any sooner will wipe off the moisturizer as you toss and turn.
3. Use the Right Moisturizer
Opt for a water-based moisturizer if you don’t have dry skin. Your skin must be able to manage a natural moisture balance. If you don’t have dry skin, you don’t have to battle greasy or flaky skin.
A heavy oil-based moisturizer works best for people with dry skin. Dry skin can be rough, itchy and flaky. In extreme conditions, it can even crack. If your skin is oily, use a mild, water-based moisturizer. Oily patches of skin (common to the face) are dominant indicators of oily skin.
4. Check the ingredients Before Buying
Moisturizers hydrate your skin’s outer layer and remain among the best ways to treat dry skin.
Reliable moisturizers such as Okana’s natural day-moisturizer contain three key ingredients:
• Humectant – It helps attract moisture to your skin. It contains glycerin, lecithin, sorbitol, hyaluronic acid, and ceramide.
• Occlusive – Occlusive helps your skin trap moisture. The ingredients include petroleum jelly, lanolin and silicone.
• Emollient – It contains oil and water, and keeps both together with an emulsifier. It is easier and lighter to use compared to oils or petroleum jelly.
5. Do a Sample Test with New Moisturizers
Sample moisturizers the same way you’ll do an eyeshadow or lipstick. You should sample your skincare products before buying them.
It helps you determine your skin’s compatibility with a product. This is crucial in preventing allergic reactions, breakouts, or clogged pores.
6. Don’t Over-exfoliate
Exfoliating has several benefits for your skin. It helps eliminate dirt, dead skin cells, and excess oil. Despite its benefits, over-indulging can prompt serious skin health consequences. Using multiple products can cause flaking, burning, dryness, redness, and irritation. It’s advisable to use one exfoliating agent in your skincare routine.
7. Use a Mild Moisturizer
Always use a mild moisturizer in your daily skincare routine. Save rich moisturizers for winter months to combat the dry air and cold temperatures.
Go easy when applying your moisturizer. If you’re rough when rubbing, you produce friction which makes the moisture evaporate before it replenishes.
8. Don’t Overcompensate
Applying moisturizer with a heavy hand makes your skin rely on it for moisture. This can reduce your skin’s sebum levels. The result is rough skin lacking natural oil to maintain its supple texture.
Don’t fool yourself into applying excess moisturizer for noticeable results. The build-up clogs your pores in thick layers and can trigger breakouts.
9. Follow the Right Sequence
To moisturize your forehead, dab the moisturizer at the center and massage outwards.
Follow the same pattern for the lower half of your face. Use a reasonable quantity to prevent greasy skin, don’t splatter; dab. Massage gently and evenly to reach the corners of your face. Rubbing moisturizer unevenly makes it accumulate in your hairline’s pores.
Work the cream into the fine lines on your face. Swirl it around in small circular motions to plump them up. Using your ring finger makes application easy without unduly stretching or tearing soft skin.
Conclusion
Applying moisturizers might look straightforward, but don’t fool yourself. Despite what you think, it’s not as simple as rubbing it on your skin after bathing. If you get the application wrong, you might as well not even try at all. The moisturizer is only as effective as your application is correct.
Proper application improves your skin’s ability to retain moisture. It reduces flaking and creates a shielding layer of moisture, improving your skin’s appearance. In addition, it can support the anti-aging ingredients in your face cream. This gives you firmer skin for a more youthful appearance. Also, pay keen attention to your diet and take natural products that benefit the skin!
