Avoid Moisturizer Sabotage

August 18, 2021

Knowing how to choose moisturizer that is right for YOUR skin is the first step to avoiding moisturizer sabotage. But what are the steps to choosing a great moisturizer? What ingredients do you look for? When is the best time to apply moisturizer? Continue reading for the answers to these questions and more.

Know Your Skin Type

Here's an easy way to determine your skin type. Use blotting sheets to gauge how much oil has surfaces on the skin 20-30 minutes after it has been cleansed and has had no other products applied.  

• Normal Skin- If the blotting sheet has only tiny dots of oil in the t-zone (forehead, nose, chin) your skin is normal.
• Oily Skin - If the blotting sheet has larger dots of oil in the t-zone (forehead, nose, chin), and it continues to show oil with the second or third blotting sheet, you have oily skin. 
• Combo/Oily Skin - If the blotting sheet has several oil dots in one or two areas of the t-zone (nose, forehead, chin) and only a little oil on the cheeks, you have combination normal/oily skin.
• Dry Skin - If the blotting sheet has little to no dots of oil on any area of the face and you have itchy spots (around the nose, between the brows), skin looks dull and dehydrated, you have dry skin.

Choose a Moisturizer Based on Your Skin Type

• Normal Skin -  You're seeking to protect your skin from environmental risks like florescent lighting, dry air, and of course, damaging UV rays. A water-based moisturizer with ingredients that help retain moisture such as hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, glycerin, propylene glycol, proteins, and urea help hold moisture in the skin. Look for anti-oxidants such as vitamin C, niacinamide, vitamin E, retinol (Vitamin A), polyphenols to maintain healthy skin cells. 
• Oily Skin - Your goal is to manage oil production and prevent acne. A water-based moisturizer with active ingredients such as glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, retinol, salicylic acid (BHA), niacinamide, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil to help reduce excessive oil and prevent clogged pores. Anti-oxidants like green tea leaf, aloe vera, and allantoin with glycerin attracts and seals in the right amount of moisture without added oil. 
• Combo/Oily - A water-based moisturizer with ingredients from the first two options above.
• Dry Skin - An oil-based moisturizer with active ingredients designed to add and maintain moisture such as lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, ceramides, and natural oils like jojoba oil, or plant-based oils.

When to Apply Moisturizer

• If you're not using a multi-step skincare routine, apply your moisturizer after you cleanse and while your skin is still slightly damp. Use it in the morning and evening after cleansing. 
• If you're using a multi-step skincare routine (great for anti-aging), apply moisturizer AFTER you have applied any essences or serums. So, in other words, always apply moisturizer last. 
• The only other step would be to apply sunscreen.  

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