There are loads of moisturizers on the market. They differ from face creams to lotions to serums. But how do you choose the right product that suits your unique skin type, needs and concerns? There are so many varieties that are formulated to work with oily to dry or combination skin, or for skincare concerns like acne, sensitive skin and more.
With the vast range of options out there, it’s understandably difficult to find the right moisturizer for your skin. First, it’s important to learn the fundamentals of moisturizing the skin: how moisturizers work, why you need one in your routine and how to find your skin match.
What is a Moisturizer?
With moisturizers being such a familiar product, this question doesn’t always get asked. We know how it works, right? Maybe not. Moisturizers are formulated with oil-based ingredients that create a seal on the surface of the skin to prevent water (moisture) from escaping. Because of the occlusive agents, such as petrolatum or mineral or plant-derived oils, they help the skin appear smoother and less dry.
Why and When Does Your Skin Need Moisturizing?
There are a multitude of opinions and theories on why we need to moisturize skin, including the ideal timing of application. However, not many understand why it is so essential to implement into a skincare routine. What happens when the proper moisturizing process isn’t used or if it doesn’t properly work?
A face moisturizer works by securing moisture onto the skin’s surface and keeping in hydrated throughout the day. While ingredients like Dimethicone help to seal the moisture, Glycerin helps attract and keep water onto the skin’s surface.
Moisturizing helps to reduce skin concerns like dryness and dullness, which can lead to premature visible signs of aging. Using the right moisturizer for your skin can help maintain balance, allowing the products used in your routine to properly work and provide visible results. Keeping skin moisturized also helps skin stay younger-looking by helping skin appear plumper, minimizing the appearance of existing fine lines and wrinkles.
Skin is the body’s largest organ. It constantly renews itself, especially in the most sensitive areas like your face, ears, neck and chest. Moisturizing your skin to help the cell renewal process is an important step in maintaining youthful-looking skin.
How Do You Know If Your Moisturizer Is Working for your skin type?
There are signs that help identify if a product is not working well for your specific skin type or skin concern.For example, if you start to notice skin flakiness or patches of dryness, the moisturizer may not be rich enough for your skin’s needs. Try adding in a moisturizing cream to lock in moisture in all areas of your face.
If you are more in the middle and don’t experience dryness or oiliness, try using a moisturizing lotion that is less dense. Apply to your neck and face thoroughly to ensure an even application across skin. Lotions are also best for those with oily skin. They are the lightest type of moisturizer, as the formula mostly consists of water.
Keep in mind that your skin needs may fluctuate seasonally. This may lead you to adjust your skincare routine and select different moisturizers based on the time of year. In the summer, you may only need a light moisturizing lotion. To combat the often-drier winter months, you may need a thicker cream.
Worried about moisturizes clogging pores? Consider choosing products labeled as “non-comedogenic”, which means the product’s formula is specifically designed to not block pores and is designed for people with oilier skin. Lightweight, fast-absorbing Rodan + Fields RECHARGE Ultra Boost Moisturizing Treatment is a non-comedogenic, gel cream that instantly moisturizes and softens skin and defends against visible signs of stress to deliver a lasting, healthy-looking glow and complexion. This moisture works well for those with skin concerns, such as uneven tone, dullness and dryness or those with dehydrated skin.
How Will Applying A Moisturizer Help Prevent Against theVisible Signs of Aging?
Moisturizers act like a drink of water for your skin, as they work to nourish and hydrate skin. The moisturization step is especially critical in an anti-aging skincare routine. As we age, skin naturally becomes less hydrated and drier, making wrinkles and fine lines more likely to appear. By keeping skin moisturized, you can help combat those signs of aging from appearing through a preventative approach.
Moisturizers often also contain anti-aging ingredients, like Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid. Award-winning, oil-free face serum, Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Serum, features proprietary 3D3P Molecular Matrix Technology, which contains 30% Glycerin and cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid to draw moisture from the atmosphere and lock it on the surface of the skin.This serum instantly raises skin’s hydration level by 200% and maintains continuous hydration for eight hours,* transforming dry skin into younger-looking, younger-acting skin. It also balances moisture levels and preps skin to better receive products applied after.
What Is the Difference Between Moisturizing and Hydrating?
Simply put, the concept of skin hydration is centered around water, whereas moisturization is correlated to the natural oils within the skin. Dryness in your skin comes from a lack of oils, while dehydration comes from a lack of water. Dehydrated skin may not appear dry, but can look dull.All skin types need hydration, even those with acne-prone or oily skin.
What is the Best Time to Apply A Moisturizer? In the AM, PM or Both?
Moisturizers can be applied in both your morning and nighttime skincare routines. The order of using moisturizers may differ between skincare Regimens. For example, in the morning, your moisturizer should be applied before SPF, but in the evening, a moisturizer should be the last step of your routine.
If I Use A Moisturizer, Do I Also Need a Face Serum?
Moisturizers and serums help your skin in different ways. While serums include skin-hydrating elements like Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin, moisturizers protect the surface of the skin like a sealing layer. If you use both in your routine, it is recommended to apply the serum first before applying a moisturizer.
What Step Should A Moisturizer Be in a Skincare Routine?
Depending on whether you’re applying in the AMor PM, the order of the moisturizer step slightly changes. Here is an easy, step-by-step Regimen that integrates a moisturizer (and optional serum) into your morning and night routine:
Morning Routine:
1. Cleanse
2. Tone
3. Serum (optional)
4. Moisturizer
5. SPF
Nighttime Routine:
1. Cleanse
2. Tone
3. Serum (optional)
4. Moisturizer
Which Ingredients Should I Implement into My Moisturizing Routine?
Hyaluronic Acid is one of the best ingredients around for skin hydration, as it works for all skin types and multiple skincare concerns, such as dryness or anti-aging. Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance produced by our body to bind water to keep skin balanced, moist and hydrated.
Glycerin, another top ingredient, is derived from plants. It is a humectant substance, which means it has the ability to retain and/or preserve moisture.
Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Serum brings both powerhouse ingredients, Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin, together with proprietary technology called 3D3P Molecular Matrix. This technology contains 30% Glycerin and cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid to draw moisture from the atmosphere and lock it on the skin’s surface.
Should I Be Moisturizing My Body, Too? Or Just My Face?
We often overlook the need to keep our body nurtured and hydrated. As skin is the body’s largest organ, it’s important to take care of all parts of skin, not just the facial area. In reality, all skin is susceptible to the visible signs of aging, not just the face. Fine lines and wrinkles and loss of firmness can show up all over, especially on the neck and décolletage.
Allover body cream, Rodan + Fields Active Hydrating Body Replenish, utilizes the same ground-breaking 3D3P Molecular Matrix technology as Active Hydration Serum. This ultra-hydrating body moisturizer results in noticeably softer, smoother and more nourished skin. It’s delicate enough for daily use for all skin types.
*Based on an 8-day U.S. clinical and consumer study.
Active Hydration SerumDry SkinDull & Tired SkinFace MoisturizerHyaluronic AcidRechargeVitamin C