Moisturizers 101: Why Every Skin Needs A Moisturizer

This post is brought to you by our Esthetics Experts Panel, composed of skin care professionals, educators + authorities with decades of experience in the industry.

Do you really know how to use a moisturizer the right way? While this skin care step seems simple, there are a few tips and tricks to getting the most out of your facial moisturizer. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about moisturization and why every skin type needs to use a moisturizer - and yes, that includes those with oily skin!

do I really need a moisturizer?

Yes, everyone needs a facial moisturizer. There is a common myth that people with oily or acne-prone skin shouldn't use moisturizers, but this is completely false. In certain cases, it can be even more important for those with oily skin or acne to moisturize, because mass produced products geared towards those skin types can be very harsh and actually strip the skin of much needed hydration. Plus, those skin types tend to over-cleanse instead of treating the problem at the source.

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, avoid stripping the skin in the first place – your skin does need a small amount of oil to protect itself. Stripping the skin by over-cleansing or using harsh cleanser can actually make the problem worse. Look for high quality oily skin and acne products that treat the problem at the source instead of assaulting the skin.

Another perpetuated myth is that you can become addicted to moisturizer and your skin can become too dependent on it. Again, this is completely false – your skin can't become dependent on moisturizer, but you do need to moisturize daily. Your skin needs that daily hydration whether or not you decide to actually moisturize.

what does a moisturizer do for your face?

At the most basic level, a moisturizer's purpose is to hydrate and soften the skin. However, your moisturizer serves several other important functions as well. Natural Moisturizing Factor, or NMF, is a naturally occurring human function that maintains, protects and enhances healthy skin function. "As we age, it becomes more and more difficult for the skin to hold onto its NMF and keep it in balance," explains Teresa Stenzel, licnsed esthetician and member of our Esthetics Experts Panel. "Without proper hydration through a daily moisturizer, the skin becomes more vulnerable to attack from environmental and other extrinsic attacks."

Facial moisturizers help hydrate the skin from the outside and also moisturize and protect the deeper layers of the skin transdermally, helping the skin maintain a healthy NMF.

Most moisturizer formulas are generally created to work with a particular skin type and solve the problems associated with that skin type, and the less oil (sebum) the skin produces naturally, the more vulnerable it is to trans epidermal water loss (TEWL). "Moisturizers usually contain ingredients that attract and retain moisture within the skin," adds Stenzel. "They act as an occlusive barrier to replenish moisture and then protect it once absorbed."

Some other benefits your moisturizer can provide:

• Relieves dryness
• Softens and smoothes skin
• Reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles
• Balances the skin's water-to-oil levels
• Prevents moisture loss
• Binds water to the skin
• Safeguards against visible irritation

how to use a moisturizer the right way

How to use a moisturizer is fairly straightforward. Twice a day after cleansing and toning, apply an amount of moisturizer roughly the size of a chickpea and spread it in a thin layer to your face and neck. If you are exfoliating, masking or using skin serums and treatment cremes, apply your moisturizer after those products for the best results.

Always follow your morning moisturizer with a broad spectrum sunscreen. If you prefer a simpler routine, Bioelements broad spectrum sunscreens double as moisturizers, so you can use them in place of your morning moisturizer.

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