Nothing, arguably, ruins a great-looking complexion like dry skin. But dry skin can be a bit of a misnomer. You see, there are those among us who have perpetually dry skin simply because they are not diligent or disciplined enough to craft a solid moisturizing routine, and there are those that have naturally dry skin and struggle to retain sufficient water in their skin. This except speaks for both ends of this divide, including but not limited to those battling skin conditions that plague them with dry skin, So how do you moisturize the skin of the face? Let’s dig in, shall we?
The Importance of Hydration Via a Retinol Moisturizer in Skin Care
Even before delving deeper into how to go about moisturizing one’s skin, it is important to shed some crucial light on the significance of proper hydration in skincare. This also includes the noteworthiness of adding special inputs into your moisturizing routine such as a retinol moisturizer.
For starters, moisturization and regular hydration are critical for preventing irritation and inflammation of your skin’s outermost layer, also known as the stratum corneum. Apparently, when this layer is functioning as it should, the skin of your face is able to resist the uncontrolled proliferation of acne-causing microbes that can easily predispose you to pimples and blemishes.
Secondly, moisturization helps create a hydration barrier between your skin and the immediate external environment. In other words, it makes the sensitive and precious skin of your face less vulnerable to pollutants and other environmental aggressors that you usually encounter on a daily basis. Finally, hydrating your skin with a retinol moisturizer is one of the little-known anti-aging secrets that you can use to stay looking younger than your agemates. Speaking of which, is collagen or retinol better for wrinkles? Stick around, we will get to that in a bit.
Here’s How to Moisturize Your Skin
Step 1: Do a Patch Test Before Starting to Use a New Moisturizer in Your Skincare Routine
Just as you would do when testing whether a new eye shadow or lipstick looks good on you, it is imperative to conduct a patch test before adopting a new skincare product. Let’s say, for instance, you have just acquired the new retinol moisturizer Bloommy. It is possible that your skin could be allergic to retinol or retinol derivatives but you won’t know that until it’s too late unless you do a comprehensive patch test on your inner arm where the consistency of your skin closely resembles that of your face. In addition to this, it is also a great way of making sure that you are content with how the new moisturizer that you are just about to add to your skincare arsenal feels and smells.
Step 2: Go for a Moisturizer that is Just Right for Your Skin Type
With so many lotions, ointments, creams, and gels on the market, finding the right fit for your skin cannot be underestimated. The best way of knowing this beforehand is by studiously analyzing the ingredients that have been used to formulate your prospective moisturizer before purchasing it. Speaking of which, any decent moisturizer ought to contain a combination of a humectant, occlusives, and emollients. And if you want to go a step further, prioritize a moisturizer with an anti-aging powerhouse in it such as retinol or collagen.
What’s more, if you have naturally dry skin which you struggle to keep sufficiently hydrated, go for a thick moisturizer with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid (a powerful humectant) alongside ceramides. Those with oily skin, on the other hand, will be better served with non-comedogenic lighter gel formulas that don’t predispose them to a breakout.
Step 3: Moisturizers Should Only be Applied on Clean and Slightly Damp Skin
For maximum results, a moisturizer should only be applied on clean and skin that is a tad damp. The reasoning behind this is that damp skin is capable of absorbing a skincare product more readily than completely dry skin. Additionally, it gives the moisturizer a chance to lock in that newly-found hydration before dryness sets in.
Step 4: A Facial Oil Should be Use On top but not Instead of a Moisturizer
One of the many mistakes that we usually make when relying on facial oils to soothe irritated and dry skin is using them to replace a standard moisturizer. While the two appear to serve the same purpose, they rarely work in the same manner. While a moisturizer usually contains a humectant that draws water molecules to your skin, oil-based products rely on emollient ingredients to attempt to lock in moisture on a surface level. And that’s the reason dermatologists will advise you to apply the facial oil on top of the moisturizer rather than replacing it entirely.
In Closing- The Golden Commandment of Facial Care
Above all, ensure that you pair your moisturizer with SPF (or use one that has a rated SPF) if you are going to go into the sun and in the sunnier months of the year. Apart from making it less likely for you to suffer skin cancer, it also keeps premature wrinkling at bay.