To get the most out of your skin, especially as you hit your 30s and beyond, your best bet is to choose both a day moisturiser and a night cream, each with different key functions. For your daily moisturiser, opt for something packed with SPF and other protectants that will shield against daily life.
Eye creams tend to be lighter and thinner than face moisturizers, so make sure to apply them before you slather on your creams and oils. “The rule of thumb when applying skincare is to apply the lightest first and the heaviest last, since thinner products can't penetrate thicker products,” says Dr. Idriss.
As a general rule, face nourishers like serums, moisturisers and oils should be applied starting with the lightest formulas. Serums are thin and full of active ingredients you want to drive deep into your pores, so start with them before you move on to fuller-bodied creams.
Know when to go in reverse.
If your sensitive skin reddens with the thought of using even one treatment product, try putting on a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer first and then serums on top. "The cream will reduce the potency of the serums," says Dr. Hirsch, "but they'll also be less likely to cause irritation."
Unlike moisturiser, night cream (as the name suggests) is only to be applied of an evening, ideally before you go to bed. Night creams have been formulated especially to make the most of the skin's 'nighttime rhythm', in which it regenerates and repairs the day's damage.
While you can certainly use two different moisturizers for day and night, it's all up to personal preference. If you prefer to have fewer steps in your routine, you may want a cream that does double duty. However, if you're already using separate SPF and serums, one moisturizer might be all you need.
Not only does a night cream soothe and hydrate skin after a long day, it can also help induce repair by amplifying cell turnover. While moisturisers for the day usually protect against the elements—pollution, dryness, cold, heat and UV rays—night creams are better focused on the reconstruction process of the skin.
Use both hands to apply moisturizer to clean, still-damp skin. Use short but firm strokes with your hands to spread the moisturizer over your body and smooth it into your skin. Be sure to apply moisturizer in the direction of the hair follicle and don't rub too hard to avoid skin irritation.
Moisturizer is used for restoring the moisture in the skin of the body whereas cream blocks and prevents the moisture loss. Cream is an emulsifying agent used for topical applications. Moisturizer is absorbed into the skin as it is derived from plant extracts, oils and other nutritional components.
"Skin's oil production peaks at midday, and there is less oil production at night. Therefore, when you lose that protective layer of natural oils, your skin loses more water, so it's important to replenish the water loss with a moisturizer overnight," says Sobel.
Just as you should cleanse your skin twice a day, your face is calling out for moisture at least two times a day—in the morning and at night. You want to moisturize after every time you cleanse. This way, you can lock in moisture and keep skin from drying out.
Active ingredients are generally present in higher concentrations to treat specific conditions (acne, eczema, dull skin, rosacea, sensitive skin, you name it). Using two moisturizers that contain different or the same active ingredients increases your chances of irritation, dryness and negative side effects.
The good news is that doubling up on your moisturizers is an easy and efficient way to boost your skin's hydration and create a flawless canvas for foundation application.
DON'T Skip Your Moisturizer
According to famed esthetician Renee Rouleau, skipping moisturizer can cause breakouts, rather than the reverse. Go for something light and oil free if you're worried about aggravating your pores, but it's not something you should let fall to the wayside.
You should never avoid using moisturizer at night. It won't solve any issues. In fact, it could cause issues! After all, your skin needs moisture and protection at night, too.
So it's essential that you include night creams in your skincare routine as soon as you hit your mid-twenties. This will help prevent wrinkles, fine lines and increase skin elasticity and radiance. In sum: everyone should use night creams, and there are no age restrictions on them.
multi-Moisturizing for Combination Skin
Combination skin is the perfect candidate for multi-moisturizing as skin tends to be more oily on the forehead, nose, and chin area while dry around the cheeks.
If you're using a moisturizer that suits your skin type, a nickel-sized amount should be enough for your whole face. If you use too much: Overdoing moisturizer can make your skin shiny and lead to breakouts.
However, if you have dry or very dry skin, you can get an added boost by layering moisturizers. To layer, start with the lightest moisturizer first and follow with an emollient product like a cream or ointment.
Moisturiser cannot by itself make your skin dark or fair . Moisturisers are only meant to give the hydration a skin needs. In very humid climates, it is better to avoid moisturiser as a whole.
You could develop more wrinkles.
That's right: Leaving moisturizer out of your routine today could lead to deeper wrinkles later on. "When the skin barrier is compromised, which is what we see when it becomes dry, there's actually a low-grade chronic inflammation that occurs in the skin," warns dermatologist Dr.
They block water evaporation and can actually clog pores and increase acne. They can interfere with the use of drugs such as tretinoin (Retin-A) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). Because dry skin reflects more ultraviolet light than hydrated skin, some dermatologists feel that moisturizers actually accelerate skin aging.
Unlike moisturisers, day creams and night creams are tailored to both cosmetic and clinical use. Day and night creams will target and remedy the skin concerns of an individual over an extended period while providing the same luxurious sensation of a moisturiser.
Dr. Garshick says the most immediate signs are clogged pores, blackheads, and excess oil production. She advises moisturizing no more than two times a day, using a product formulated for your skin type.