Like cleansers and sunscreens, facial moisturizers are daily essentials for all skin types, not just dry skin. While moisturizers hydrate, the right cream can repair the skin’s barrier function, restore firmness, soften texture, smooth fine lines, and more.
With so many formulas to choose from (light gel, face oil, skin cream?), it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is right for your skin. Below we explain the different types of moisturizers and how to use them.
Applying Moisturizer. Let’s start with the basics. Everyone can benefit from moisturizing twice a day: once in your morning skincare routine and once before bed.
Depending on your preference, you can use the same formula twice or opt for a thicker formula in the evening, as skin loses moisture overnight.
Moisturizer should be one of the last steps in your skincare routine, after serums and treatments and before sunscreen and facial oils (if desired). Warm a peanut-sized amount of the formula in your hands and gently massage into your skin in circular motions to allow the product to absorb.
Be careful not to pull or strain your skin. If you want to apply sunscreen or makeup afterward, let the formula sit for a few minutes first.
The Best Moisturizer for Your Skin Type. Not all moisturizers are created equal, and some may work better for you than others depending on your skin type, concerns, and goals. Find the right solution for your skin below.
Oily Skin. Oily skin is genetically predisposed to produce too much sebum (a waxy substance that keeps moisture in the skin), so adding more moisture can seem counterintuitive, especially if you’re prone to oiliness and shine. While oily skin
is never dry (lacking fat), it can be dehydrated (lacking moisture).
This is more common than you think, especially since oily skin tends to prefer formulas that absorb excess sebum, like the clay in our cleansing masks. (That’s why we always recommend moisturizing your skin after applying a mask or face scrub.)
When skin is dehydrated, it signals the body to produce more sebum to compensate for the loss of moisture, which can clog pores and cause acne. To find the perfect balance, nourish your skin with a hydrating, lightweight gel formula like our Dewy Moisturizing Gel Cream.
It contains sodium hyaluronate (which has similar properties to hyaluronic acid and can bind 1,000 times its weight in water) and aloe leaf juice to hydrate the skin without weighing it down.
Dry skin. Dry skin naturally produces less sebum, which means dry skin is always searching for moisture, moisture, moisture. If your skin is dry, follow up with a moisturizer that’s naturally thick and rich in skin-nourishing oils, like jojoba oil, squalane (found in our Rich Moisturizer), and black currant seed oil. If it’s very dry, apply a facial oil afterward.
Remember: Skin can become dry and dehydrated. If you find moisturizer isn’t enough, add a drop or two of Hyaluronic Acid Serum Booster to your moisturizer before applying. Do you have dry elbows or knees? Hydrate the skin under your chin with Keep It Suple Body Oil.
Combination skin. Dry in some places, oily in others…combination skin can be a challenge when it comes to moisturizers. One way to go is to use a lighter formula on oily areas and a richer lotion or balm on dry areas to keep the skin hydrated.
If that’s a little too complicated for you, opt for a hybrid like our Antioxidant Oil Serum. It’s both moisturizing and hydrating, offering the best of both worlds in one bottle.
Acne-prone skin. Acne-prone skin can also be dry, oily, or a combination of both. Choose the type that best suits your moisturizing and hydrating needs, and be aware of the term “non-comedogenic.” This means the formula
is proven not to clog pores, which is something people with acne-prone skin should definitely avoid.
Dewy spots are non-comedogenic. The non-comedogenic ingredients in our Hydrating Plumping Mask, including tea tree oil, squalane, and rosehip oil, also provide moisture.
Aging Skin As we age, our skin produces less oil
Dryness worsens, and fine lines and wrinkles become more noticeable. Lack of moisture also weakens the skin barrier, allowing external invaders like pollution and UV rays to cause oxidative stress (aka damage).
To support aging skin, add a night cream to your routine. Our skin goes into repair mode overnight, releasing growth hormones, stimulating collagen production, and shedding old skin cells. A Night Cream Like Recovery Mode
Advanced night creams support these functions while preventing moisture loss, reducing fine lines, and smoothing wrinkle structure.
Don’t forget the rest of your body. Retinol moisturizers relieve dryness, firm skin, and repair age spots. Dull Skin + Uneven Skin Tone Worth a note: Dull skin is a common byproduct of dehydration.
If quenching your skin’s thirst isn’t exactly refreshing (or maybe you’re also suffering from hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone), opt for a vitamin C moisturizer that brightens and hydrates at the same time. For a rounded glow
and moisture barrier support, try our Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Moisturizers. With 2.5% vitamin C, you’ll see visible results without the irritation (a common side effect of traditional vitamin C). For more radiant skin
You can also use luminous glow drops; their polyglutamic acid is also four times more hydrating than hyaluronic acid.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
