How Often Should You Moisturize Your Face?

You should moisturize your face twice a day — once in the morning and once at night. Do your best to stay consistent so your skin barrier is strong and supported. If you don’t remember what to look for in your moisturizer, scroll up for moisturizers and good ingredients they should include based on your skin type.

Should You Moisturize Your Face at Night?

Yes, you should moisturize your face at night because skin loses more moisture at night. The skin naturally experiences moisture loss throughout the day because of Transepidermal Water Loss, when water from our skin evaporates into the air. However, at night, this process happens even faster, making moisturization even more important. Moisturizing overnight can also facilitate skin recovery and improve texture.

WHAT IS MOISTURIZER

Q: How Often Should You Moisturize Your Face?

You should moisturize your face twice a day &mdash; once in the morning and once at night. Do your best to stay consistent so your skin barrier is strong and supported. If you don&rsquo;t remember what to look for in your moisturizer, scroll up for moisturizers and good ingredients they should include based on your skin type.

Young girl with clear skin and black coily hair applying moisturizer to both cheeks while keeping her eyes closed as a part of her relaxing skincare routine.

What Is Moisturizer & Why You Need It

Moisturizer is a key component in any skincare routine because no matter your skin type, your skin needs moisture. Moisturizer carries important responsibilities: not only does it maintain skin hydration, but it also helps keep your skin comfortable and supports your skin barrier. In this article, learn all about the purpose of moisturizer, what it does, how to use it, and why it truly deserves so much love.

What Is Moisturizer?

Moisturizer is a skincare product designed to hydrate and protect the skin. Emollients, humectants, and occlusives are three types of moisturizers.
●  Emollients: Soften and smooth skin by filling in tiny cracks with lipids. Example: shea butter, colloidal oatmeal
●  Humectants: Attract water to the skin from the air or skin’s deeper layers. Example: snow mushroom and hyaluronic acid
●  Occlusives: Create a physical, protective barrier that prevents water loss. Should be applied over thinner moisturizers in a routine. Example: shea butter, oils

What Is the Purpose of Moisturizer & Why Is It Important?

The purpose of moisturizer is to lock in hydration, strengthen the skin barrier, and prevent dryness, flaking, and irritation. Humectants draw moisture to the skin, emollients soften the skin to relieve dryness, flaking, and irritation, and occlusives seal in moisture by creating a physical barrier that prevents moisture escape. Together, these types of moisturizers contribute to better skin barrier function.
The benefits of moisturizing the face are healthier-looking skin that’s better able to retain moisture. As with any other skincare product, moisturizer delivers the best results when used regularly, so be consistent with moisturizing skin.

How to Choose a Moisturizer

A good moisturizer for face is one that gets along with your skin. Below, we make it easy to select a facemoisturizer for your skin type.
●  Dry skin: When it comes to moisturizer for dry skin, rich, emollient creams with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and snow mushroom are a great pick.
●  Oily or acne-prone skin: Lightweight, non-comedogenic gel moisturizers with ingredients that won’t add excess oil match well with oily or acne-prone skin.
●  Combination skin: A balancing formula will hydrate combination skin without making skin oilier.
●  Sensitive skin: Fragrance-free, soothing formulas with ingredients like snow mushroom are less likely to irritate sensitive skin.

How to Use Moisturizer

Now that you know what kind of moisturizer to use, check out these steps for how to use moisturizer during your skincare routine. Our quick, beginner-friendly guide gets into the details about correct moisturizer application.

1. Cleanse Your Face

Before you apply moisturizer, make sure your skin is clear of buildup. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser so you have a clean base for product absorption.

2. Apply Moisturizer on Damp Skin

Skin is more permeable to skincare and moisture when wet, so try to apply your moisturizer while your skin is damp. Don’t wait more than a minute to moisturize after washing your face.

Optional Products to Enhance Your Skincare Routine

If you want to supplement your routine with more products, add any of these steps to your skincare routine. They can help amplify hydration or offer other skin benefits.

Toner

Use toner after cleanser to remove any makeup your face wash didn’t get rid of. Toners also prep the skin before moisturizer and balance skin pH. Try any of Thayers’ alcohol-free toners for gentle hydration.

Serum

Serum delivers concentrated ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or salicylic acid before moisturizing. It’s amazing at targeting specific skin concerns like dullness or fine lines.

Acne Spot Treatment

If you struggle with acne, adding an acne spot treatment to your routine is a no-brainer. This type of product will help you manage breakouts without over-drying your skin. Apply it before moisturizer for optimal absorption.

Moisturizer FAQs

You should moisturize your face twice a day — once in the morning and once at night. Do your best to stay consistent so your skin barrier is strong and supported. If you don’t remember what to look for in your moisturizer, scroll up for moisturizers and good ingredients they should include based on your skin type.
Yes, you should moisturize your face at night because skin loses more moisture at night. The skin naturally experiences moisture loss throughout the day because of Transepidermal Water Loss, when water from our skin evaporates into the air. However, at night, this process happens even faster, making moisturization even more important. Moisturizing overnight can also facilitate skin recovery and improve texture.