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These days it’s pretty safe to assume that most people own at least one moisturizer! If you don’t, you should – it’s probably one of the most impactful skincare products on your shelf! Without it, your skin will be dull and dehydrated, and if misused, it could prevent any other skincare products from being properly absorbed into your skin. So, even if you own a moisturizer that promises to deliver baby soft skin, if you’re falling into the trap of any of these moisturizing myths, you could be in serious trouble – we’re talking clogged pores, breakouts or flaky skin…
Myth 1: You should apply moisturizer to dry skin
Although it may seem counterintuitive, you should actually apply moisturizer onto damp skin, as this will help lock in any excess water sitting on the surface before it evaporates from your skin. For your face, once you’ve toned and applied any serums, spritz your skin with a facial mist and then apply your moisturizer, which will help it to spread more evenly and maximize the absorption of the product at a deeper level. For your body, gently pat your skin dry and then moisturize within a couple of minutes of stepping out of the shower.
Myth 2: The more you moisturize the more hydrated your skin will be
There’s such a thing as TOO much moisturizer. If you’re going through products on a monthly basis, then the chances are, you’re over moisturizing. Good quality moisturizers are highly concentrated and are designed to be effective even when applied in small amounts. If you use too much product, it’s more likely to sit on the surface of your skin, clogging your pores, and potentially triggering breakouts. No matter how dry your skin is, all you need is a blueberry-sized amount of product, morning and evening. Even if your skin is really dry, any more and your skin could become dependent on moisturizer for hydration. Check out our guide to formula sizing below to make sure you’re applying the correct amount of product.
Myth 3: If your moisturizer contains SPF your skin is protected
This is perhaps one of the most damaging moisturizing myths out there. During the winter months, a moisturizer containing SPF 25 or 30 should be plenty of protection, but during the summer, you really need to switch to a high-quality SPF to prevent your skin from damage. An SPF 50 with 5-star UVA protection will help protect your skin against harmful UV rays that cause wrinkles and damage. SPF acts as a protective barrier, so it should always be used after all your other skincare steps, otherwise, it will prevent your other products from being absorbed into your skin. Always apply it 20 minutes before you go into the sun, as it takes that amount of time to activate. To find out more SPF myths that could be damaging your skin, check out our ultimate guide to SPF.
Myth 4: The heavier the cream, the better the moisturizer
A lot of people assume that the heavier the cream, the better the hydration it’ll provide, but this is SO not true. It’s what’s inside the moisturizer that’s important – moisturizers are made up of three key ingredients – humectants, occlusives, and emollients, as well as active ingredients like hyaluronic acid or salicylic acid. Humectants attract moisture, occlusives create a protective barrier to stop moisture from escaping, and emollients soothe and soften the skin. It’s essential to find the right moisturizer for your skin type: If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you should stay clear of rich formulas as these could block your pores and leave your skin feeling and looking greasy, instead look for a gel or water-based moisturizer. Check out this post for more tips on finding the right moisturizer for your skin type.
Myth 5: Moisturizer should be the first step in your skincare routine
Layering your products correctly is SO important, and actually, your moisturizer should be one of the last steps in your routine. Because moisturizers contain occlusives, which act as a barrier to protect your skin, this means they can also prevent any following skincare products from penetrating properly. Start with your cleanser, then tone, apply any serums or extra steps, then gently apply your moisturizer, being careful not to tug too hard at your skin. For nighttime, you can add a face oil on top to further hydrate, protect, and nourish your skin, and for daytime, add an SPF.
Myth 6: If you have oily skin you don’t need to moisturize
If you have oily skin, it might seem like it doesn’t need more hydration, but by skipping moisturizer, you’ll dehydrate your skin and trigger it to produce more oil in an attempt to compensate for the lack of moisture. If you have oily skin, it might seem like it doesn’t need more moisture, but by keeping your skin hydrated, it means your skin will produce less oil to compensate. So moisturizing twice daily is key, you just have to find a lightweight, gel or water-based moisturizer that’s non-comedogenic (doesn’t block pores). For more oil controlling tips, read our top tips here.
To let your skin live its best life, make sure you know these five important skincare rules.
