A Dermal Therapist Reveals the Moisturising Mistakes You Might Be Making
Let’s be honest—moisturising seems easy. Just grab a cream, rub it in, and call it a day, right? But the second you stand in front of a shelf of moisturisers, the confusion hits.
From gels to creams, ointments to lotions, the options feel endless. And if you have sensitive or reactive skin? The stakes suddenly get much higher.
As a Dermal Therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how often people unknowingly misuse their moisturiser—or worse, skip it entirely. Let’s walk through the most common mistakes,
and how to find the right routine for your unique skin.
Why Moisturiser Matters—For Everyone
Moisturising isn’t optional. It’s not just about making your skin feel soft or smooth. A good moisturiser helps prevent water loss and strengthens your skin’s protective barrier.
Even oily or acne-prone skin needs moisturiser. Skipping it can send your sebaceous glands into overdrive, producing more oil to compensate for the lack of hydration.
In other words, every skin type needs moisture—you just have to choose the right formulation.
What Is a Moisturiser, Exactly?
The term “moisturiser” can refer to a range of products—gels, creams, balms, ointments, and even facial oils. Each type works differently based on your skin’s needs and concerns.
What they all share is one key purpose: to hydrate and protect your skin. But they do this in slightly different ways depending on the ingredients and texture.
Understanding how each type functions helps you avoid choosing the wrong one for your skin type.
Different Moisturisers, Different Benefits
Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common moisturiser types and who they’re best for:
1. Gels
Light, water-based, fast-absorbing
Great for oily or acne-prone skin
Often non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
2. Creams
Thicker than gels, with a blend of oil and water
Suitable for normal to dry skin
Provide a balance of hydration and barrier support
3. Ointments
Heavy, occlusive, and deeply moisturising
Ideal for very dry, flaky, or compromised skin
May feel greasy but excellent for intense hydration
What to Look for in a Moisturiser
Choosing the right moisturiser means knowing your skin’s current state and concerns. Here’s a guide to the ingredients that can help different skin types:
For Dry or Dehydrated Skin
Look for humectants like:
Hyaluronic acid
Glycerin
These draw water into the skin.
Pair them with occlusives like:
Petrolatum
Lanolin
These help seal moisture in.
For Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
Choose light, non-comedogenic ingredients like:
Clover flower extract (balances oil)
Salicylic acid (mild exfoliation)
Water-based formulas
Avoid heavy oils or waxes that can clog pores.
For Sensitive Skin
Stick with:
Fragrance-free products
Calming agents like green tea, niacinamide, or licorice root
Watch out for alcohols, synthetic dyes, and harsh exfoliants.
For Aging Skin
Look for age-supporting ingredients like:
Antioxidants (vitamin C, E, coenzyme Q10)
Ceramides (support the skin barrier)
Peptides (support collagen production)
Morning vs. Night Moisturiser: Do You Need Both?
Some people swear by using two different moisturisers—one for morning, one for night. Others just stick to one trusty formula. So, what’s actually necessary?
Here’s the truth: it depends on your skin and your lifestyle.
Night creams are usually richer and more hydrating. But unless they contain active ingredients like retinol or peptides, the “night cream” label is often just marketing.
If your skin benefits from extra hydration overnight, go for it. But it’s not essential unless you notice a difference or it fits your routine.
In the morning, moisturisers with SPF 30+ can save you time. They hydrate and protect—ideal if you’re in a rush or want a minimal routine.
The Moisturising Mistakes You Might Be Making
You may already own a decent moisturiser, but if your skin still feels off, these common errors could be the reason:
1. Over-Moisturising
Yes, too much of a good thing can be bad. Applying too many layers or using overly rich products can:
Clog pores, Cause blackheads, Trigger breakouts, Lead to excess oil production
This is especially true for oily or combination skin. Stick with a lightweight option and listen to your skin.
2. Using the Wrong Texture
If you’re breaking out or getting milia (small white bumps), your moisturiser may be too heavy. Milia is often caused by thick creams that don’t absorb properly.
Solution? Switch to a gel or lighter cream. Avoid trying to pop milia—they usually resolve on their own, or can be safely extracted in a clinic.
3. Layering Products Incorrectly
You might be following a 10-step routine, but if you’re not applying things in the right order, your moisturiser won’t work effectively.
General rule: apply from thinnest to thickest texture. Serums go on first, then moisturiser, then SPF (in the morning).
4. Relying on Humectants or Occlusives Alone
Most skin types need both. Hydrating with humectants (which draw water in) without an occlusive (which locks it in) can leave your skin feeling dry again quickly.
Use both if your skin feels tight or dehydrated despite moisturising.
5. Damaging Your Skin Barrier
Overuse of harsh actives—like AHAs, BHAs, or retinoids—can leave your skin vulnerable. If your barrier is damaged, even the best moisturiser won’t help much.
Focus on repair first:
Use barrier creams, Minimize actives, Avoid over-exfoliating
Don’t Forget Lifestyle Plays a Role
Skincare isn’t just about what you put on your face. Diet, hydration, stress, and sleep also affect how your skin retains moisture.
Make sure you’re:
Drinking enough water, Eating skin-friendly foods (like omega-3s and antioxidants), Getting quality sleep, Managing stress
If you’re doing everything “right” but still struggling, it’s worth consulting a dermal therapist or skin specialist.
Quick Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Moisturiser
Apply to damp skin. This helps lock in more moisture.
Use clean hands. Always apply with clean fingers to avoid introducing bacteria.
Don’t skip it. Even oily skin needs daily moisture.
Adjust with the seasons. You might need a richer product in winter and a lighter one in summer.
The Bottom Line
Moisturising might sound simple, but there’s more to it than just slapping on any old cream. Finding the right texture and ingredients for your skin type can make a massive difference.
Still unsure where to start? Talk to a professional. Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all, and a little expert advice goes a long way.
Your skin works hard for you every day. It deserves the right kind of care—and a well-chosen moisturiser can help keep it soft, balanced, and glowing.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
