Along with regular cleansing and wearing sunscreen, figuring out how to moisturizing shaving cream for sensitive skin for your face is one of the essential steps of any skin-care routine. But skin experts say far too many people skip this vital piece of the aftershave lotion for sensitive skin.
“So many people are not conscious of the significance of skin hydration,” Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, M.D., director of cosmetic dermatology at South Shore Medical Center, tells SELF.
Why is it so crucial for hyaluronic acid moisture and skin-plumping for your skin? It comes down to the stratum corneum, the outer layer of skin. When this layer is functioning correctly, it protects your skin from irritants and inflammation, and it also helps keep the deeper layers of skin hydrated. The stratum corneum is made up of a few different components, including fatty acids and ceramides, so buy natural skin moisturizer for elderly skin containing those ingredients can ensure that everything is working as it should—and that your skin will be at its happiest and healthiest.
And, yes, everyone can benefit from moisturizing—even those of you with oily skin. “Those with oily or acne-prone skin fear that moisturizing will only make [their skin issues] worse, so instead they use harsh products and cleansers to dry their skin out,” Dr. Imahiyerobo-Ip says. But this can be counterproductive because overwashing your skin can cause it to produce even more oil. Probably not the goal you’re hoping to achieve.
If you haven’t been able to find a moisturizing routine that works for you, know that you’re not alone. It’s just about choosing the right product, pairing it with your other steps in the right way, and applying it correctly.
So, are you ready to learn how to moisturize your face? Check out these easy ways to make sure you’re moisturizing your face to get the best results for your skin.
Before Using Any Moisturizer Do a Patch Test
Almost as you would swatch a lipstick or eye shadow before buying or applying on your face, you should do the same for skin-care products as much as possible. In addition to making sure you like the way the product smells and feels, this helps ensure that it doesn’t lead to clogged pores, allergic reactions, or breakouts, Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon in NYC, tells SELF.
But, with skin-care products, the process is a little bit different: Rather than testing the product on the back of your hand, apply a small amount on your inner arm where your skin is thinner and wait a day or two to see if you react badly to it, SELF-explained previously. If you’re worried about a new product clogging your pores, apply it to a small area along your jawline to see if you develop any new pimples before putting it all over your face.
Use Moisturizer that is Suitable
“Just because your best friend likes the feel of a particular product does not mean it will work well for you,” Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, tells SELF. “With so many products on the market, you can select the ideal formulation for your preference—gel, creams, lotions, ointments, and foams can all be effective.” The key is to know which ingredients will best address your skin concerns.
Any good moisturizer should contain a combination of hydrating (humectant) ingredients that will draw water into the skin and more occlusive ingredients to seal that hydration in. But, depending on your skin type and concerns, you may need to look for a specific formula or ratio of those ingredients.
If you have dry skin, for example, you may want to use a thicker moisturizer with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which is a powerful humectant, along with ceramides.
Apply the Moisturizer
As the back of the bottle says, you should always apply moisturizer to clean skin—and for maximum results, shortly after cleansing, before your skin is dehydrated.
Moisturizers are most effective if you use them while your skin is still damp because damp skin absorbs the product more readily. That also gives the moisturizer the chance to lock in that hydration.
While waiting a few minutes or hours after washing your face before moisturizing isn’t the worst habit, it does your product and your skin a disservice. If you find that your routine takes too long for that to work (or you use other products between cleansing and moisturizing that need time to absorb), you can try spritzing on a bit of face mist before moisturizing.
Consider Using a Facial Oil
While facial oils can be high at soothing dry and irritated skin, they’re usually not enough to replace a standard moisturizer. “Moisturizers contain humectant ingredients that draw water molecules into the skin, while oil-based products contain emollient ingredients that merely treat the skin on a surface level,” Lily Talakoub, M.D., a dermatologist at McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center, tells SELF.
Additionally, aftershave lotion for sensitive skin can be great occlusives, SELF-explained previously. So, although they don’t draw water into the skin as an ideal moisturizer should, they can help keep it in your skin.
That’s why, if you’re interested in using a facial oil, Dr. Talakoub recommends applying the oil on top of your regular moisturizer. For instance, Dr. Talakoub likes Eve Lom Radiance Face Oil ($80, Ulta) layered over the brand’s Radiance Lift Cream ($95, Bloomingdale’s).
However, those with oily or acne-prone skin should be wary when using facial oils because many of them can clog pores. Again, be sure to patch test before using these all over your face!
