Moisturizing your face is important to keep it healthy and glowing. However, too much moisturizing can lead to clogged pores, and too little can lead to dry skin. This brings us to the question, how often should you moisturize your face?
Several factors determine the frequency. However, the most important is your skin type.
Keep reading to learn more about how often you should moisturize your face.
How often should you moisturize your face?
How often you should moisturize your face varies depending on your skin type.
Normal skin
If you have normal skin, then you should moisturize your face twice a day (once in the morning and once at night). Normal skin is the skin type that is neither too dry nor too oily, so moisturizing it twice daily is enough to keep it hydrated.
Oily/acne-prone skin
If you have oily/acne-prone skin, experts recommend moisturizing your face once a day. Oily/acne-prone skin produces more sebum (oil) than other skin types, making it more prone to breakouts.
By moisturizing it once a day, you can keep oily/acne-prone skin hydrated while preventing oil from building up in your pores.
Dry skin
If you have dry skin, you should moisturize your face at least thrice a day. Dry skin needs more moisture than other skin types, so do this to keep it hydrated.
Combination skin
Combination skin is a type of skin that’s usually dry on the cheeks and oily on the forehead, nose, and chin. For this skin type, experts recommend moisturizing twice a day, concentrating on the dry parts than the oily parts.
Sensitive skin
If you have sensitive skin, you may find that your skin gets irritated very easily. It’s important to moisturize sensitive skin twice a day to decrease irritation and keep it hydrated.
SEE: Here’s the Best Skincare Routine for Combination Skin
When should you moisturize your face?
The best time to moisturize your face is after cleansing, toning, and applying any serums or treatments.
It allows the moisturizer to seal in the benefits of the products applied underneath it and provides lasting hydration throughout the day.
If you have dry skin, you may want to consider applying a facial oil after your moisturizer for an added boost of hydration.
How much moisturizer should you use on your face?
Generally speaking, you should apply a nickel-sized amount of moisturizer on your face to keep it hydrated.
If you have dry skin or live in a dry climate, you might need to use more than that.
Can you over-moisturize your face?
Yes, you can.
Over-moisturizing, your face is when you apply more moisturizer than your face needs.
If you over-moisturize your face, it can lead to a variety of problems. You may develop small bumps, and your skin may become irritated. Your skin may also become too oily, leading to breakouts.
SEE: Experts Say This Is the Best Skincare Routine for Breakouts
Is moisturizing your face important?
Absolutely. Here are a few reasons why moisturizing your face is important:
It treats dry skin
Moisturizing your face will help you get rid of dry patches by keeping your skin hydrated. If you have dry skin, you need to moisturize it with a good-quality moisturizer.
It prevents premature aging
Moisturizing your face is important to prevent the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of premature aging. Some moisturizers also contain SPF, which can help prevent sun damage to your facial skin.
It fades discoloration
Moisturizers contain ingredients such as vitamin C and kojic acid, which can help fade dark spots, sun spots, and other facial discolorations. These ingredients can also help reduce scarring from previous wounds or surgeries.
It fights acne
This simple step in your skincare routine can also help reduce redness, inflammation, irritation, and other symptoms of acne.
It makes your skin glow
Moisturizing your face will make it look more healthy and glowing. So if you want to keep your skin looking its best, ensure to moisturize your face regularly.
SEE: These Tips Will Help You Get Flawless-Looking Skin
How to pick a moisturizer for your skin type
There are five types of skin: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive. Each one needs a different kind of moisturizer, so it’s important to choose one that is right for your skin type.
If you have oily or combination skin, choose water or gel-based moisturizer that won’t clog your pores or leave a greasy residue on your face. If you have normal or dry skin, choose an oil or cream-based formula that will nourish and hydrate your skin.
For sensitive skin types, look for moisturizers free of alcohols, fragrances, and dyes—these ingredients can cause irritation or redness when used on sensitive skin.
How to moisturize your face naturally
Use ice cubes
Apply ice cubes (or cold water) on your face after washing it. In addition to moisturizing your skin, this treatment can also help tighten and reduce the appearance of pores.
Try aloe vera gel
Aloe vera gel contains 90% water, which makes it a good option for moisturizing your face naturally. You can buy aloe vera gel at the store, and you can make it at home if you have an aloe vera plant.
Apply the aloe vera gel to your face, then massage it into your skin for a minute or two. Then, rinse off with warm water.
Use almond oil
Almond oil is one of nature’s best moisturizers because it contains fatty acids that not only hydrate your skin but also help reduce redness, irritation, and inflammation on the skin.
Apply two teaspoons of almond oil to your face using a cotton ball or q-tip. Wash it off after 10-15 minutes to maintain the moisture levels on your face throughout the day.
Oatmeal and honey mask
Oatmeal and honey have been used as natural moisturizers for centuries, and they’re common ingredients in moisturizing products today.
To create this mask, simply stir 1/2 cup of uncooked oatmeal into 2 cups of hot water and add 2 tablespoons of honey. Apply this paste on cleansed face and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.
Skincare tips to keep in mind for glowing face
- Cleanse twice a day. It will allow your facial products to absorb into your skin more quickly, and it will also prevent clogged pores.
- Exfoliate once or twice a week. Exfoliation helps get rid of dead cells on the face, leaving it feeling smooth and refreshed.
- Use sunscreen. Using sunscreen is a great way to protect your face from damage caused by the sun’s UV rays.
- Wash off makeup before bed. Always wash off your makeup before going to bed to prevent clogged pores, irritation, and dull skin.
- Use a face mask once per week or so. Face masks are essential because they provide many benefits, such as hydrating the skin and tightening pores.
- Hydrate. Drink lots of fluids throughout the day to keep your face and body hydrated. Hydrated skin is healthy and glowing skin.
SEE: Does Drinking Water Help Your Skin Stay Healthy?
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you apply a moisturizer every day?
Yes, you should. The best way to keep your skin hydrated is to apply a moisturizer every day. If you need a boost of hydration on your skin, you can also apply a facial mist over your moisturizer.
What happens if you don’t moisturize your face?
If you don’t moisturize your face, your skin will become dry and flaky.
Fine lines and wrinkles will appear, and your skin will lose its elasticity. You may also develop blackheads, whiteheads, and other blemishes.
Can you apply face moisturizer to your neck?
Yes, you can. The best face moisturizers will moisturize your neck without causing irritation or making the skin on your neck feel greasy.
What causes dry skin?
Dry skin is usually caused by genetics, harsh soaps, aging, and cold climates.
In some cases, it can be caused by medical conditions, hormonal changes, and medications.
Conclusion
The frequency of moisturizing the face is different for everyone because each person has a different skin type.
If you have oily skin, you should moisturize your face once a day. If you have dry skin, moisturizing your face thrice a day is best for you. For normal, combination, or sensitive skin types, moisturizing twice a day is enough.
That said, always choose a moisturizer formulated specifically for your skin type and stick with it. If you prefer to moisturize your face naturally, try using ice cubes, aloe vera gel, almond oil, or oatmeal and honey.
Thanks for reading.
Visit Africana Fashion for more articles on how to make your face healthy.
