“When you use moisturizer every day, you run the risk of making your skin older, not younger,” he said to Refinery29. “If you apply a lot of moisture, skin will become sensitive, dry, dull, and interfere with natural hydration.”
Daily moisturizing is vital for healthy skin, yet some think of it as an aesthetically-inclined habit. Our skin is the body's largest organ and requires regular attention to stay young, blemish-free and healthy.
The bottom line
Putting body lotion on your face once or twice probably won't cause any lasting harm. All the same, body lotion isn't meant for facial skin, so it could make some skin concerns worse. Sticking to products specifically formulated for your face will generally do more to benefit your skin in the long run.
Moisturizing your skin is a simple task you can do before bed that will reap some big benefits. From helping with acne to reducing the effects of aging, your bedtime moisturizing routine can make you look healthier and younger, even as you get older.
So by stopping moisturising, this actually stimulates cell turnover and encourages natural desquamation (that's the shedding of the outer layers of the skin). This improves skin function and exposes the tightly packed plump fresh cells to effectively reflect light and leave the skin glowing.
Not sure if you're over-moisturizing? 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.
Fortunately, moisturiser itself can't cause acne. However, the way you apply it can. Over moisturising can have a detrimental effect on your skin. Not only will it clog up your pores, but it can also stick dead cells to the skin's surface and stop oxygen from getting to the skin.
Excessive moisturizer use can cause pimples or breakouts on the skin. Your skin absorbs what it needs and the extra product just sits on top of your face. This greasy layer attracts dirt and bacteria, which then gets accumulated in the pores and causes acne.
How Often Should You Use a Face Moisturizer? Generally accepted advice about the use of moisturizers is to apply it twice daily––every morning and every night. It's the most commonly accepted practice because it ensures that the moisture content of your skin remains constant throughout the entire 24 hour period.
"You'll notice your skin feeling dry, tight, and ashy, because you're rapidly losing water," says Gohara. "Moisturizer doesn't just add water back into your skin, it also traps in the water you already have to plump it up and protect it."
You see, while some experts insist you should leave anywhere between 30 seconds and 15 minutes between layers, others argue it's far more important to just get the product on. “If you don't have the time, it won't harm the skin by applying products directly after each other.
In studies, most patients see less acne between 4 and 8 weeks after beginning to use an acne friendly moisturizer. All of the patients in these studies were following an acne treatment plan that required them to use acne medication, cleanser, and moisturizer.
Aesthetic dermatologists have observed that habitual, daily moisturising over a prolonged period can actually age the skin. This induced ageing occurs because the same fibroblast cells which produce GAGs (the skin's moisturiser) also produce collagen and elastin, which help maintain the skin's elasticity.
Those with very dry skin on their faces may benefit from using Vaseline as a moisturizer. However, if you have acne-prone skin, you should avoid putting Vaseline on your faces. Doing so may trigger breakouts and can make acne worse.
While petroleum jelly has many benefits, it shouldn't be used for everything. Avoid putting petroleum jelly on your face if you are acne-prone, as this may cause breakouts in some people. If you have questions about your skin or how to take care of it, see a board-certified dermatologist.
Is it possible to use too much moisturizer? The short answer is, yes, you can use too much. Facial moisturizers are designed to be concentrated, and applying more of a moisturizer doesn't cause better skin results — sometimes it can even do the opposite.
"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. "While you are asleep the skin goes into renewal mode.
Adding body lotion to your after-shower routine is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your body. Skin is not only more likely to dry out after a hot shower, but when your pores are open after the shower, you'll be able to soak up the benefits of a beautiful moisturizing lotion like our Kukui Body Lotion.
“When you use moisturizer every day, you run the risk of making your skin older, not younger,” he warned. “If you apply a lot of moisture, skin will become sensitive, dry, dull, and interfere with natural hydration.”
“A great moisturizer should make your skin feel hydrated, not oily. It should absorb, leaving a clean finish, and not just sit on top of the skin. It should allow you to layer makeup on top of it without piling up.”
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.