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Moisturizer is a product designed to care for the skin, and therefore, it should be used daily. When you neglect moisturizing, your skin can become dry, tight, and even flaky.
Daily moisturization is crucial to maintain the skin's barrier in good condition, retain water in the superficial layers, and combat premature aging.
Difference Between Hydration and Moisturization
It's essential to understand the difference between these two concepts to properly care for your skin, as their purposes are not the same.
- Hydration: Providing water to the outer layers of the skin.
- Moisturization: Lubricating the skin to improve water and nutrient retention.
Moisturizing creams contain ingredients that fulfill both functions, hydrating and retaining moisture, as their goal is to reduce transepidermal water loss.
Ingredients that Contribute to Skin Hydration
For a moisturizer to be effective, it must contain specific ingredients, including:
- Humectants: These attract water to the skin but may not necessarily retain it. Examples include hyaluronic acid or glycerin.
- Emollients: These smooth and soften the skin's surface. Examples include oils, cocoa butter, or shea butter.
- Occlusives: These prevent transepidermal water loss. Examples include petroleum jelly or mineral oil.
A moisturizing cream wouldn't be able to provide water, retain it, and soften the skin without these three types of ingredients.
How to Properly Moisturize Your Skin
Here are the steps for moisturizing your skin correctly:
1. Cleanse Your Skin
Thoroughly cleansing your skin is crucial before moisturizing. Trying to moisturize dirty skin with makeup residue or pollution particles can seal these impurities onto your skin. This could lead to skin infections or premature aging, among other issues.
In other words, you should start with clean skin. To achieve this, use a gentle cleansing gel and apply it to the areas you want to moisturize. If you wear makeup daily, perform a double cleanse and use a makeup remover or micellar water as well.
2. Apply Moisturizer to Damp Skin
Once your skin is slightly damp, apply the moisturizer and massage it in using a circular motion. If you want to use a serum or another type of active product, apply it just before the moisturizer. This ensures that the humectant and occlusive ingredients in the cream work together to retain more water beneath the skin's surface.
Keep in mind that when applying to your face, include your neck and décolletage as well.
Regarding serums, an excellent option is the Facial Glow Sérum from Matcha & CO. It's a highly concentrated serum that combines the illuminating power of stabilized Vitamin C with the antioxidant benefits of Niacinamide and Matcha. This serum hydrates, firms, and brightens your skin while reducing signs of aging.
The Vitamin C in it promotes collagen formation, enhances skin hydration and luminosity, and inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for hyperpigmentation and age spots.
Lastly, Niacinamide soothes redness, regulates oil production, improves skin barrier function, acts as a depigmenting agent, and has antioxidant properties to help reduce wrinkles.
3. Repeat Step Two Daily
The key to keeping your skin hydrated is to use moisturizer daily and do it correctly. Waiting to moisturize until your skin is already dry is a mistake because your skin's barrier could already be compromised.
