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How and When to Apply Moisturizer on Your Face

March 15, 2021

How and When to Apply Moisturizer on Your Face

Applying moisturizer is one of the most critical steps in any skincare routine.

Many people fail to acknowledge just how important it is to keep your skin hydrated, especially those with oily skin. However, moisturizer is essential for all skin types—it’s the secret to keeping your complexion healthy and glowing!

If you don’t currently use moisturizer or are unsure of how to use it correctly, this guide is for you. Keep reading to learn all about moisturizer—what it does, how to apply it, specific product recommendations and more.

Should You Moisturize Your Face?

The answer to this question is simple: Yes, you should absolutely moisturize your face!

Moisturizer is sometimes considered to be something used only for cosmetic reasons. However, in addition to making your skin look good, moisturizer is key to keeping skin healthy from the inside out.

Skin is the body’s largest organ, and it requires special treatment to keep it functioning at its best. Moisturizer should be applied regularly. Daily application is particularly important for the skin on your face, as it’s more sensitive and prone to damage caused by environmental factors.

When you apply a face moisturizer, this creates a barrier on your skin. It keeps the outer layer of your skin functioning properly, which protects it from inflammation and irritants.

In general, here are a few benefits of applying moisturizer:

  • Reduces skin problems
  • Keeps skin soft and supple
  • Fights signs of aging 
  • Prevents excess oil production and breakouts

What Does Moisturizer Do? 

Moisturizer is key to preventing and treating dry skin. Typically, they come in the form of water-based creams, lotions, gels, or serums. If you use a moisturizing serum, however, it’s best to follow up with a thicker moisturizer to ensure you’re providing your skin with enough hydration.

When applied, moisturizers work to hold water in the outer layer of the skin. They typically include ingredients that draw water to the skin (humectants) and keep it smooth (emollients). The combination of the two help to keep your skin soft and supple. Moisturizer also helps to maintain skin elasticity—which is key to keeping it firm and youthful. 

How to Apply Moisturizer on Face

At this point, you might be wondering how to moisturize face correctly. Applying moisturizer is simple, but there is a right and wrong way to do it. Doing it correctly can help to ensure your skin reaps the full benefits of the product you apply.

Simple step-by-step guide for moisturizing face:

  1. Wash your hands
  2. Apply your moisturizer to the palm of your hands
  3. Warm up the product in your hands (this will help to ensure even application)
  4. Start by applying the moisturizer to your cheeks, and then work your way to the forehead and rest of your face (don’t forget your neck!)
  5. As you blend in the product, be sure to use gentle, upward strokes (never tug on the skin and pull it downward—the goal is to lift the skin!)
  6. Allow the moisturizer to fully absorb into the skin before following up with another product or applying makeup

How Much Moisturizer Should I Use?

When it comes to the amount of product you apply to your face, you want to ensure you’re using enough, but not overdoing it.

If you don’t use enough product, your skin may become dry. This can lead to an imbalance in the skin and even increase the likelihood of wrinkles to form. Applying too much product, on the other hand, can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and greasy-looking skin. It can also cause your makeup to slip around during the day.

So how much moisturizer should you really be using? Many dermatologists recommend applying a nickel-sized amount of product to your face. However, everyone’s skin is different—so if you find that your skin needs a little bit more, you can adapt this to suit your needs.

When to Apply Moisturizer

Another important factor to consider with moisturizer is when you’re applying it. It’s always best to apply moisturizer to clean skin so it can sink in properly—so a good time to apply it is after you’ve cleansed and exfoliated.

Here’s an example of how moisturizer can fit into a skincare routine:

  1. Cleanse 
  2. Exfoliate 
  3. Tone 
  4. Serum
  5. Eye cream
  6. Moisturizer
  7. Face oil
  8. SPF (if during the day)

While your skincare routine may vary slightly, always remember that moisturizer is most effective when applied to clean skin. If you’re looking to take it to the next level, apply your moisturizer to damp skin—this will allow the skin to absorb the product more readily and really lock in hydration.

Tip: If your skin is dry, dampen it with a few spritzes of a facial mist before applying your moisturizer. 

How Often Should You Moisturize Your Face?

To keep your skin properly hydrated, it’s best to moisturize your skin twice a day: once in the morning and once at night. This will help to keep your skin’s moisture levels balanced at all times—both while you sleep and as you go about your day.

If you’re pressed for time in the morning, a great way to cut down on the number of steps in your skincare routine is to use a moisturizer with SPF. Just be sure your moisturizer has an SPF of 30 or higher for adequate protection.  

What Can I Use to Moisturize My Face?

There are thousands of different moisturizers on the market, all formulated with different ingredients. Choosing one comes down to your skin type and preference.

For example, if you have oily skin, you may enjoy using a lightweight gel-cream formula that sinks right into the skin. If you have dry skin, your skin may benefit from a thicker moisturizer and a facial oil for an added boost of hydration.

Some great ingredients to look for in moisturizers include:

  • Hyaluronic acid: A powerful humectant that holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water
  • Vitamin C: Decreases water loss and helps skin to retain its moisture
  • Vitamin E: Nourishes skin and protects it from free radical damage
  • Glycerin: Softens skin and helps it to retain its moisture 
  • Ceramides: Strengthens skin barrier to lock in moisture
  • Squalane: Hydrates, fights free radical damage, and boosts collagen production for younger-looking skin

Best Moisturizers to Try

With so many different options out there, choosing a moisturizer can be overwhelming. Here’s a round-up of some of the best moisturizers, categorized by skin type: 

Best for Normal Skin: A Lightweight Daily Moisturizer

If your skin doesn’t necessarily fall into the dry category, but isn’t oily either, you most likely have normal skin. While this skin type may seem to be fine on its own, it’s just as critical to use a good moisturizer.

Using a good moisturizer during the day is essential for keeping your skin protected and hydrated. The Herbal Dynamics Beauty Youth Refresh Prickly Pear Antioxidant Daily Moisturizer is specifically designed for everyday use, making it a great product to incorporate into your morning skincare routine.

This moisturizer contains skin-loving ingredients like vitamin C, prickly pear, hyaluronic acid, and watermelon extract, which work together to hydrate, brighten, and balance the skin. It also contains resurrection plant and oarweed extract, which improve skin’s elasticity—helping to maintain its youthful glow. 

Best for Oily Skin: Natural Aloe Vera Gel

When it comes to skincare, sometimes simple is best. This is especially the case for those with very oily or acne-prone skin.

The Herbal Dynamics Beauty Essentials Natural Aloe Vera Gel uses natural pure aloe vera gel to soothe, revitalize, and nourish the skin. Aloe helps to repair the skin while protecting its natural barrier, which is essential for maintaining hydration. It’s also an incredible ingredient to use when your skin is irritated, whether it be from blemishes or even sunburns.

Another great feature of this product is that its gel formula is incredibly lightweight and fast-absorbing, so you won’t be left with a heavy, greasy feeling on your skin. Depending on the amount of moisture your skin needs, this product can be used alone or layered underneath other moisturizers. This is a great staple to have in your skincare collection, especially if you have oily skin.

Best for Combination Skin: A Lightweight Oil Serum

Combination skin is dry in some areas, and oily in others. This can make it difficult to choose products, but luckily, certain ingredients can help to balance skin’s oil production—one of them being squalane.

Squalane is great for combination skin because it mimics your skin’s natural oils. It’s incredibly moisturizing, yet is lightweight, so it won’t clog pores or feel heavy on the skin.

If you’re looking for a skincare product that includes squalane, consider the Revitage Replenishing Squalane & Argan Oil Serum from Herbal Dynamics Beauty. This serum contains a blend of organic oils that nourish the skin with minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids, which are all essential for maintaining a supple, even complexion. Incorporating a product like this into your routine can help to keep dry areas moisturized while preventing excess oil production. 

Best for Dry Skin: Organic Rosehip Seed Oil

If you have dry skin, oils can be your best friend. Oils provide a deep boost of moisture and help to lock in the benefits of the products applied underneath.

For dry skin types, rosehip seed oil can be an excellent choice. The Herbal Dynamics Beauty Essentials Rosehip Seed Oil not only hydrates the skin, but protects it from oxidative stress, which can wreak havoc on the skin.

This is a virgin, cold-pressed oil that helps to support collagen production, boost radiance, improve texture and tone, and of course, keep skin hydrated. It can be used several ways, whether you want to mix it into your moisturizer, use it as a spot treatment in dry areas, or press a few drops directly into the skin after applying moisturizer. Regardless of your skin type, it’s good to have a product like this on hand to treat dryness when it occurs. 

Best for Ultra-Dry Skin: A Concentrated Face Balm

When you have extremely dry skin due to harsh conditions, dehydration or another issue, moisture becomes even more important. Typically, extremely dry skin means there is an imbalance in the skin’s barrier that needs to be remedied. Keeping the surface of your skin hydrated and protected from water, wind and irritants is the best way to start fixing the issue.

A product like the Herbal Dynamics Beauty Revitage Precious Rose Concentrated Face Balm is ideal for treating drier areas and for mature skin. Formulated with ingredients like rose extract, shea butter, and olive fruit oil, this lightweight balm deeply nourishes the skin while preventing signs of aging.

The great thing about this moisturizer is that it can be applied to the entire face, or just in specific areas that need extra hydration. Plus, its unique balm formula makes it easy to take on the go (such as when travelling), so your skin will never be without moisture. 

Best for Nighttime: A Revitalizing Night Cream

Your skin goes through the regeneration process overnight, so it’s important to give it some TLC before crawling into bed. One of the best vegan face moisturizers for nighttime is the Herbal Dynamics Beauty Revitage Antioxidant Transforming Night Cream.

This product is formulated with all-natural ingredients, including squalane, green tea, chamomile, and watermelon extract. It hydrates and deeply restores dry, tired skin while protecting it from environmental stressors. When you wake up in the morning, you’ll be left with radiant, refreshed skin that’s ready to take on the day.

Don’t Forget Your Body!

While the face is often the first place we start to notice signs of aging, it’s just as important to keep the skin on the rest of your body hydrated. There are a variety of natural body moisturizers out there that can keep skin hydrated, supple, and soft.

One is the Herbal Dynamics Beauty Shea & Squalane Rich Body Butter, which blends soft butters with pistachio and macadamia oils for fast-absorbing, lightweight moisture. Amino acids and squalane help to strengthen the skin’s barrier and fight signs of aging.

Applying moisturizer is a long-term investment in your skin. Taking a few minutes to moisturize every day will pay off in the long run! 

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