Do you often find yourself struggling to find the right time to moisturise your face? Or maybe you are just looking for the right face moisturiser for oily skin that does not make your skin too greasy? Moisturising is essential for keeping your skin healthy and looking good, but knowing when to do it cannot be easy. This blog provides expert tips on when to moisturise your face and the best ways to moisturise your skin.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT MOISTURISER:
The outer layer of your skin needs to be protected. It is the most vulnerable part of your body and is susceptible to the elements. Using a good moisturiser will protect your skin from UV damage, dry weather and anything else.
But what makes a good moisturiser? First, it is important to ensure that your moisturiser is suitable for your skin type. Each skin type has its own needs, and those needs may vary from person to person. So choosing a random moisturiser off the market and considering it to be perfect may never be a wise choice. It would be best to consider your skin type and the severity of your dryness while selecting a moisturiser.
NORMAL SKIN:
Younger people with otherwise normal skin may only need a basic moisturiser to combat the seasonal dryness that comes with changing seasons. However, the skin’s ability to retain moisture decreases with age, needing additional support. According to dermatologists, everyone over the age of 50 should be using a cream-based moisturiser.
DRY SKIN:
If your skin is naturally dry and the dry air of winter is making it worse, you should skip the lotion and use a thicker, more effective cream instead. Creams will hydrate the skin and keep in more water than lotion, and ointments will hydrate and keep in even more water than that. Someone with dry skin should thus skip the lotion and go straight for the cream or ointment.
OILY SKIN:
Those with oily skin should avoid using a moisturiser that contains oil, as this can clog pores and lead to breakouts; those with black or dark skin should also avoid using a moisturiser that contains oil can lead to discolouration and hyperpigmentation as a result of acne. Since gels are far lighter than traditional moisturisers, we’re debating whether to forego them altogether.
COMBINATION SKIN:
With a combination skin type, you have dry patches in some areas and oily patches in other areas. This is most common in the T-zone, the region of the face including the forehead, nose, and chin. If you want to achieve the best results, your face should be treated as if it were two different faces: hydrate the dry parts and avoid the oily ones.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A MOISTURISER:
A moisturiser is only as good as its ingredients. Some ingredients, on the other hand, can irritate, make skin dry, or contribute to the development of acne. In contrast, others are incredibly helpful to the skin, locking in moisture and supporting the skin’s barrier function.
In addition to increasing the skin’s hydration levels, the best face moisturisers will leave your skin appearing smoother and younger. Here are a few things you need to look out for when choosing a moisturiser:
HUMECTANTS:
Humectants are substances used in moisturisers that draw water from the middle layer of skin, called the dermis, into the outer layer of skin, called the epidermis. Some of the most useful and skin-safe humectants include:
- Glycerol & glycerin
- Hyaluronic acid
- Sorbitol
- Propylene glycol
OCCLUSIVES:
Occlusives are a class of substances that help the skin retain more water by reducing its loss to the surrounding air. Many of these oily components work best when applied to moist skin.
CERAMIDES:
Ceramides are fatty acids found in your skin. They shield the epidermis from environmental aggressors, including dryness and bacteria. Ceramides are a common ingredient in skin care products. Ceramide moisturisers help replenish the skin’s natural ceramides, leading to healthier skin.
NON-COMEDOGENIC
If a product labels itself as “non-clogging” or “oil-free,” it means that it won’t clog up your system. This basically implies that your skin’s natural oils will be protected. At the same time, the lotion does its job of reducing oil production.
FRAGRANCE FREE VS UNSCENTED:
When a product claims to be “fragrance-free,” it usually indicates that no artificial perfumes have been put to it. However, not all items that claim to be fragrance-free actually are. Essential oil or other natural substance that acts as a scent may not be identified as such on the label.
Even unscented products can still contain some fragrance. Products may include additional synthetic substances to cover up the unpleasant chemical smell.
MOISTURISER – DOs & DON’Ts
✅ Choose a moisturiser based on your skin type
❌ Never forget to layer your moisturiser with sunscreen when heading out
✅ Use a different moisturiser for your face and body
✅ Apply the moisturiser evenly
❌ Don’t overuse moisturiser
❌ Never neglect your neck
❌ Avoid Moisturiser with Urea & Lactic acid
3 TIPS ON WHEN TO USE MOISTURISER:
AFTER SHOWERING:
The best time to use the moisturiser is when your skin is damp( Not wet). Smooth on your favourite moisturiser a few minutes after a bath or a shower
AT NIGHT:
Every day, when you wind down for the night, the skin permeability is at its highest, which means a moisturiser can penetrate deeper into the skin at night.
FLAKY/DRY SKIN:
Your skin might dry during the day or dry up when you wear make-up. It is essential that you keep your hydration levels up whenever you feel that the skin is too dry.
SUMMARY:
Using the best moisturiser for men & women is a very important step in their day-by-day skincare. It helps protect against skin dryness and from other environmental factors. But it is paramount that you choose the right moisturiser depending on your skin type and the severity of your dryness. Choose a moisturiser for your specific condition, or check with a dermatologist to personalise your skincare plan.