Moisturizer is one of the most widely used skincare items, but it’s amazing how often they use it wrong. In spite of its minimalism, the way in which you moisturize does count as correct application is crucial for your skin absorption of hydration and its overall wellbeing. So, why is it very common that people abuse moisturizer? The fact is that a lot of us unknowingly, through believing in or following false skincare habits, damage our skin.
Most people fail to dry their skin with a towel after cleansing before leaving it to air-dry, usually before moisturizing. On such social media platforms as TikTok, the trend of air-drying has gained widespread popularity among the followers who claim that it is promoting better breathing for the skin and reducing the possibility of irritations. Although ditching towels is wise, because they contain bacteria and add friction, opting to let your skin air for a complete cycle after washing may actually reduce hydration. “There is an extensive misunderstanding about the ideal method of letting your skin air-dry after washing, which is supposed to minimize irritation and allow for ‘breathing,’ Daniel Isaacs, the chief product officer and director of research of the skincare brand Medik8 points out. However, airing can dehydrate your skin and make it dry.
Why does the air-drying make one dry? At the root of this is trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) which is a normal process where water vaporizes out of your skin and into the air. Skincare expert Rhysa Phommachanh explains that water loss on the skin accelerates the drying-out process: this makes your face feel tight and papery. Later on, such process might affect the look of fine lines and wrinkles adversely. Although towel-free drying appears practical and trendy, it actually dries your skin from the needed moisture making it less firm and shining.
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It is a known mistake some skincare junkies make, applying moisturizer on parched skin. It is a common misconception that the drier the skin feels the more that it needs moisturizer. However, this approach actually doesn’t help to hydrate. When these skin parts are moderately dampened, lotion is applied onto them, enabling the skin to absorb hydrating elements better and making the product more effective. “When you hydrate damp skin, it retains moisture more efficiently” notes Isaacs. If your skin is only damp, it absorbs hydrating ingredients more easily, improving the product’s results. In fact, it allows moisturizer to create a protective barrier of moisture keeping them, thereby adding fuller, luminous look.
When you apply moisturizer after cleansing determines a lot. The late use of moisturizer after cleansing means you lose the best opportunity of binding and trapping hydration. The skin’s skin barrier is in its most permeable state immediately after the washing, which means that adding any delay to apply the moisturizer reduces the opportunity for maximum absorption hydrating. The significance of immediate moisturize after cleansing cannot be overemphasized – it gives your skin an opportunity to encapsulate the full potential of the water eluded on you from cleansing, hence enhancing hydration – ideally moisturize within 60 seconds after washing. It is widespread to think that manicured moisturizers will facilitate hydrated skin, but in reality, too much of it will clog pores, leading to shiny oily skin. Appropriate portion according to your skin type is decisive. People with oily complexions can benefit from a gel-based moisturizer that’s light and helps hydrate, but one that won’t clog pores. People with dry or mature skin will probably achieve better results from cream-based moisturizers that contain the hydrating ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
When you scramble the order of your products, you may lower the efficiency of your moisturizer. When you apply a heavy cream as the first step, it can prevent different creams, serums, or lighter treatments from spreading over to your skin. Dermatologist Shereene Idriss recommends that, “The prescription is to layer your skincare products from lightest to heaviest, as the lighter ones are more easily absorbed into the skin”. Therefore, your moisturizer has to be used after serums before heavier product such as sunscreen or face oils.
When it comes to dermatological cosmetics, how moisturizer is applied directly to the skin is also overlooked. Rubbing the moisturizer with much force may cause stretching of your skin and also making it ineffective. A better approach, according to skincare experts is the patting or pressing of the moisturizer decently onto the skin for even coverage and to reduce the skin being irritated.
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Finally, a lot of people make a mistake by making their moisturizing routine out of their routines, especially if they have oily or acne prone skin. It is common belief that moisturizing will make oily skin problems worse, however, in reality if you don’t use moisturizer it will result in dryness, which may prompt your skin to produce more oil. Those with oily skins have to choose a moisturizer that is light and gives out as well as light-feeling on the skin without causing more oiliness.
Your method of using moisturizer is an important factor in deciding how much moisture is locked in and how your skin is protected. If you avoid mistakes, such as air-drying, using too much moisturizer or layering improperly, you’ll maximize the benefits of your moisturizer. As a matter of fact, gorgeous, glowing, healthy skin does not come from merely the right products, but the manner in which you apply them.
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