Moisturizers act as a barrier to water loss from the skin through evaporation. Moisturizers will keep you looking younger by helping keep your skin soft and flexible. Regular use of a moisturizer can help prevent the dry skin, which is very common in winters. Moisturizers also prevent skin cracks from occurring. There are different types of moisturizers available according to the skin types, so make sure that you buy the one appropriate for your skin type. Moisturizers do not prevent wrinkles unless they contain sunscreen.
Before applying moisturizer, you must first wash your face and hands properly with a good cleanser and lukewarm water.
After you clean and tone your skin, splash a little water on your face. Pat almost dry with a soft towel, then sparingly apply moisturizer by applying some dots all over the face and blend it thoroughly, and let the moisturizer soak in on its own. Irrespective of what your skin type is, the best way to apply moisturizer is with your hands on slightly damp skin, because it helps lock in the water in the upper layers of the skin and sealing it on to the skin.
If your skin is slightly oily, you may need to apply moisturizer only once a day, according to Sam Dhatt; but those with drier skin may need to apply twice or more throughout the day. If your skin around the eye area tends to be drier than the rest of your face, it is a good idea to consider a separate eye cream. Other wise, the moisturizer you have for your general facial skin area, can be used around the eyes. Oil-free hydrators are also a good option for oily skin and men prefer this type of moisturizer too.
Facial moisturizers are designed for use mainly in the morning, which is usually preceded by cleansing. In the current marketplace, all facial moisturizers are formulated to not clog pores, cause acne or an allergic reaction. Moisturizers for dry skin are comprised of ingredients like mineral oil, petrolatum, glycerin and cyclomethicone, all of which are thick and physically prevent water loss from the skin. Moisturizers for normal skin are usually lighter and contain such silicone-derived ingredients as dimethicone, cyclomethicone and lightweight oils such as cetyl alcohol. Moisturizers for oily skin usually are very light and primarily use dimethicone as their active ingredient. Hyaluronlic acid and sodium are also very popular hydrators.
