How to apply moisturiser

 

My favorite part of my skincare routine- applying a moisturizer. Putting on moisturizer can seem like the no-brainer step in any skincare routine, but that’s the part so many of us get wrong.

From slapping it on your face to choosing the wrong formula, it can be the culprit to many of your bothersome skin problems.

I’ve got you girly.

I’ve covered everything you need to know including selecting the best kind of moisturizer for your skin, the best application technique, and all the little tips and tricks to get that gorgeous glowing skin.

So, if you wondering how you can improve sagging skin and breakouts to get to that youthful glow, follow these steps, your skin will thank you for it!

Here’s a tip- When applying facial moisturizer, don’t skip out on the spf, rain or shine wearing sun protector daily can do wonders for your skin including preventing premature aging.

 

How to apply face moisturizer

A little bit about moisturizers to start off and some of the benefits they offer:

Moisturizers are made up of three parts:

Retains moisture- with an ingredient called occlusives

Repair damaged skin- with emollients

Humectant properties- for example, glycerin to increase the water content.

Not only do these help to repair and maintain the skin barrier, but trapping water to keep your skin moisture levels can be a major way to decrease signs of aging and keeping your skin elasticity. The best formula will contain all three of these aspects.

1.Prep your face

When applying facial moisturizer, you need to first prep your face. It’s best to use it on clean, damp skin, so my recommendation is that you use your favorite cleanser, thoroughly wash your face to remove any dirt. After you rinse off your cleanser, pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

2.Apply on damp skin

The role of a moisturizer is to keep your skin’s moisture levels. For best results, your skin should be feeling slightly damp not fully dry. That means the cream can trap more water into your skin and it will help absorb it much better too.

Here’s a tip- opt for lukewarm water when washing your face so you don’t strip the skin of its natural oils.

3.Use the right amount of product

The thing with moisturizers is that no two products are the same. Some have a thicker or thinner consistency and that can make it tricky to nail down an exact amount your should be using.

As a general rule, use an almond-sized amount, with more needed if this is a thin cream that quickly absorbs, or less if it is a thick cream. Night creams tend to be thicker than day creams so you may not need as much at night.

Tip- if you like to wear makeup, a thinner day cream that quickly absorbs into the skin can be quickly applied before your makeup.

4.Application matters

This can be a crucial step that can make or break the effect of your moisturizer cream. Make sure you clean your hands so you don’t transfer any dirt and cause breakouts. Using your fingertips, not the palms of your hands, take a small amount and dab it around your face.

Now you can smooth it around your face gently, in circular motions. Don’t go up and down, it’s best to go upwards and outwards to help prevent skin sagging. Be gentle with your skin, especially when around the delicate eye area. Use your ring finger to dab in the moisturizer around this zone.

5.Don’t forget your neck!

Your neck is made up of a soft, thin layer of skin and is just as sensitive as your face. Make sure you include your neck and even your upper chest as part of your skin care routine, it could really make a difference in a few years’ time!

6.Wear Spf

This is the step so many people forget. Let me tell you, wear SPF daily! This can make a huge difference in your skin as the sun’s rays can be extremely harmful. Another great way for keeping your skin youthful-looking. Lastly, ensure your moisturizer is fully absorbed before applying your product to reap all the wonderful benefits.

Tip- if you have little time in the morning, go for a combination facial cream of moisturizer with spf in it, anywhere from 15 spf to 30 is a good amount for daily wear.

Applying moisturizer correctly can seem like second nature to you by now, but did you catch yourself making any of these mistakes?

Choosing the right moisturizer for you

Another huge factor in getting the most out of your moisturizer is the type of skin you have. No matter if you have oily or normal skin, you need to be moisturizing every day preferably once in the morning and once in the evening. You can even use a serum for even better results. Check the formula of what you are using to see if it contains the right stuff for you.

Scroll down to find out which facial moisturizer is best for you:

Normal skin- Congratulations, you have everybody desired skin type! Go for a water-based moisturizer to give your skin an extra boost and maintain its moisture balance. A lightweight, easily absorbed moisturizer is all you need.

Look for lightweight ouls or silicone ingredients. Day creams are your best friend as these absorb much quicker.

Oily skin– if your skin feels shiny and breakouts easily, you might feel tempted to skip out on greasy moisturizer on your already oily skin. Don’t! Instead, apply a lightweight water-based moisturizer that will not clog your pores. Look out for the word non-comedogenic which means won’t clog your pores and oil free. Avoid heavy creams with ingredients like vaseline on your skin, and shea butter or coconut oil as they will be too heavy for you.

Tip- if you have acne, look for ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide that are perfect for treating breakouts daily. Glycolic acid is another good one cleansing your pores.

Dry skin- Dry skin will need a moisturizer that is a bit heavier, such as oil-based or thick facial creams. Go for the ones with ceramides for better moisture absorption and hyaluronic acid. For very dry skin, you will need to go for a heavier nighttime cream or even Vaseline to keep your skin more hydrated.

Tip- try vaseline for more moisture.

Sensitive skin- For my sensitive skin gals out there, it can seem like every ingredient is an issue. The best moisturizers for you are the ones that are hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free or contain good stuff like aloe. You want to avoid any unnecessary or harmful ingredients and go for simpler, cleaner brands of skincare. Avoid acids in your products as they can irritate your skin. The sun can also be pretty damaging so wear spf too.

Mature skin- Moisturiser can be a lifesaver for maintaining a youthful glow, especially as your own natural skin barrier may not be as strong as it once was. To lock in moisture, apply an oil-based moisturizer with ingredients like antioxidants and alpha hydroxy acids that can lock in moisture. It would be useful to select night creams containing retinoids and peptides to give your skin an extra boost. Find one that contains Hyaluronic acid in the formula, it’s another great one for retaining moisture.

If you don’t know what your skin type is, there is an easy way to find out. First, cleanse your face and wash it, then pat it completely dry. Wait around 1 hour, if your face feels tight or even slightly painful, then you have dry skin. If it looks shiny around the t zone then you probably have oily skin. If you feel the same as before, it’s likely your skin is normal and can balance itself.

Keeping your skin hydrated should not be rocket science, but it can feel overwhelming when you don’t know your skin and are using the wrong product.

How to apply moisturiser for your body

Although they both do the same job, there are a few differences for moisturizing your body and face. First off, you shouldn’t be using the same moisturizer. Your face is much more sensitive and you need to have a better quality moisturizer that contains the right ingredients for your skin type. Rough elbows and feet? It might be a sign you’re not hydrated.

1.Prep your skin

Similar to your face, apply moisturizer to a clean body. The best time to do this is after your shower when you have washed. For even better hydration, exfoliate in the shower with a scrub to get rid of dead skin so you have a clean, fresh base. Avoid showering with extremely hot water as this can dry out your skin a lot.

Pat dry with a towel, remember to leave the skin damp not dry.

2.Apply the right amount

Apply your favorite body moisturizer that contains a hydrating formula free from harmful chemicals to keep your body healthy and happy. Of course, you will need a whole lot more moisturizer than your face. Start with a little quarter-sized amount and rub it between your hands. Start from your legs and work your way up as you prefer, adding more as you need it.

3.Apply with your hands

With clean hands, gently rub and apply moisturizer. Pay particular attention to drier areas such as elbows, knees, and feet. There are no hard and fast rules about this, but it may help to go in the direction of the hair follicle.

4.Don’t forget your hands!

It can be easy to forget to moisturize your hands, so I like to finish off with that once I’ve moisturized my body. The truth is, every time you wash your hands you need to be moisturizing. Sometimes hand cream is thicker and more hydrating for your hands than body cream.

My top tips

here are my best moisturizer tips so you get the best results every time:

Have a skin care routine– even if it’s just cleansing and moisturizing, doing this every day without fail is going to make the most difference. If you can, include a night cream to hydrate better. Consistency is key!

Use the right moisturizer for your skin type- This is another major thing that can seriously up your game when it comes to skin care. Find out your skin type and buy products accordingly! Every skin needs moisturizing, even oily or acne-prone skin!

Gentle application- It can be tempting when you’re in a rush to rub on some moisturizer and get going, but that is the worst thing for your skin! It could lead to increased fine lines and wrinkles too. Be gentle and smooth it upwards into the skin in circular motions for best results.

Don’t overapply- Once you’re a skin care addict like me, it can be easy to think more is better and slather on layer after layer. Don’t, your skin can start to depend on it for moisture and stop producing essential natural oils, not to mention clogging your pores and breaking out!

Use SPF- I keep saying this, when you moisturize, apply SPF! it will protect your skin so much from harmful UV rays from the sun, so go for a moisturizer that will contain SPF so you can protect your skin. If you are prone to sunburn, then getting your hands onto an SPF is even more important.

Learn how to massage!- one of the things I’ve noticed gives the best results is incorporating a facial massage as part of your nighttime routine. You can use a face oil or your moisturizer. Using oils in conjunction with a moisturizer can make it more hydrating. In as little as 2 minutes you can stimulate blood flow and the lymphatic drainage system to cleanse and smooth your face. I love this!

Use an oil- I personally love to use an oil after I shower to lock in hydration but to be the most effective, don’t use it exclusively. I use oils for facial massages too, but I will still wear moisturizer on a daily basis. Use them, but don’t replace your moisturizer with them!

Yes we know beauty comes from within, but trust me with these tips on how to moisturize properly it will come from without too!

 

That’s Everything!

Here in this article, I’ve covered everything you need to know about how to use moisturizer and how to apply sunscreen and moisturizer too. Follow my simple tips to get the most hydration to get a youthful glow all year round.

Our skin is amazing, but sometimes it needs a little extra TLC on our part. It doesn’t take hours a week to hydrate and keep you happy and healthy, a simple moisturizing routine is all it takes to take care of your face and body.

Easy right?

All you need is the right moisturizer for you whether that’s one with salicylic acid or an oil-based one, washing and applying it gently and top off with SPF. You will notice it makes a huge difference, you won’t be able to do it any other way!

It’s not just about beauty, it’s about looking after ourselves too. Now that you are armed and ready with my top tips on hydration, grab your favorite moisturizer and go and treat yourself to an at-home pamper day