How Important is Moisturizer For Your Face?

If you haven’t noticed any skin concern you probably don’t need a moisturizer. Normal skin in good conditions does not need a moisturizer as it is already moisturized.

Healthy skin is usually achieved through a series of lifestyle habits that should be associated with the right cosmetics products for a synergic effect.

Of course the regular average “skincare expert” will tell you the opposite, but it’s normal. They need to tell you that so that they can sell more stuff.

Assuming you’re getting enough sleep and water, exercise regularly (sweat your way to healthy skin), and eating healthy, I would choose a serum over a moisturizer unless you have dry skin.

Serums usually have a lightweight texture and absorb easily making the #1 choice for many people. Furthermore, when properly formulated, serums are packed with active ingredients that can help, for instance, with wrinkles or dark spots.

Conversely, if you have dry skin, you do need a moisturizer. Dry skin can be the result of a compromised skin barrier. This can be the result of too much washing, for instance.

Here are ingredients to look for in a good moisturizer:

• Humectants (glycerin, sorbitol, urea, hyaluronic acid) which are able to take moisture from the ambient and deliver it to the skin (especially if you live in humid climates).
• Occlusive agents such as petrolatum, lanolin and its derivates, silicones. These ingredients moisturize the skin by forming a film that prevents moisture loss.
• Emollients, for example vegetable oils . Also ceramides have been shown to be effective in improving dry skin. CeraVe is one particular moisturizer that incorporates multiple emollients, including ceramides, cholesterols, and fatty acids.
• Natural moisturizing factors for example sodium PCA.

I also believe that it’s important to point out the difference between dry and dehydrated skin.

DRY SKIN

Dry skin is something you’re born with. It’s a skin type along with oily, normal or combination. It’s in your DNA. This condition can be improved with the use of a moisturizer but as soon as you stop using it skin will naturally turn dry again.

Dry skin has, by definition, a lower amount of oil and lipids. When I say oil, I mean sebum. Sebum is the secretion product of the sebaceous glands of the skin.

This is why dry skin benefits from using a moisturizer.

DEHYDRATED SKIN

It’s not a skin type. It’s a temporary condition that can be “fixed” by simply increasing the amount of water in your skin.

We all experience dehydrated skin from time to time.

You can recognize dehydrated skin from its appearance. It looks very thin, dull, and fine lines are particularly very evident.

To increase the water content of your skin, the first thing you need to do is drink more water and eat more greens which contain a lot of water. Coffee or tea work, too.

You’ll probably also benefit from using a 1% Hyaluronic Acid serum that is able to retain moisture.

Hope this helps!