However, because creams are usually about a fifty-fifty blend of oil and water, they are thicker than a moisturizing lotion (and more powerful). Due to being a more powerful moisturizer, you can use a cream once a day instead of twice a day like you would a lotion.
Your choice of moisturizer depends on your skin and the time of year. If you need just a little extra hydration, opt for a lotion or cream. But, if you have more sensitive skin, you'll want to avoid preservatives, penetration enhancers, and fragrances. This makes an ointment a better choice.
The main difference between cream and moisturizer is that cream is a thick liquid that helps to cleanse, moisturize, soften or heal the skin while moisturizer is any skincare product that helps to retain moisture in the skin. There are many types of creams in the market.
The bottom line
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.
Zein Obagi, a Beverly Hills-based dermatologist and founder of ZO Skin Health, says that using moisturizer could actually be detrimental to skin. “When you use moisturizer every day, you run the risk of making your skin older, not younger,” he said to Refinery29.
The rest of the product then sits atop your face and forms a thin layer of oil, bacteria, and other ingredients. This layer will then clog the pores and whenever cores get clogged, pimples and zits form. So, yes, moisturizer can cause acne but it only typically happens whenever you over-moisturize your skin.
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."
"Most moisturizers can function as both a day cream and a night cream," says Dr. Muneeb Shah, North Carolina-based dermatologist and skincare influencer. However, there are a few key differences between the two. For instance, a day cream is typically lightweight, making it easy to wear under makeup.
The most important times to use moisturizer are after a bath, shave or exfoliation. For some, this might be twice a day. Moisturizing after a shower is very important because hot water strips all the moisture and oils out of your skin, leaving it parched and dry.
If you're dealing with acne, the right moisturizer serves 2 roles. First, it can help regulate oil production, which may help decrease breakouts. Second, it can help combat some of the negative side effects of the active ingredients in your acne-fighting products, like cleansers or spot treatments.
Moisturiser cannot by itself make your skin dark or fair .
What is Night Cream? 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.
Night cream is usually richer and helps the skin's natural regeneration process. In contrast to day creams, night creams do not contain a sun protection factor. This is why you shouldn't use a day cream at night as a sun protection factor is superfluous at night.
In most cases, it makes sense to apply serum before moisturizer. This is because serum is usually more lightweight, whereas moisturizer tends to be thicker. Applying serum first can also give the skin more opportunity to absorb the active ingredients. In many skin care routines, moisturizer is the last step.
Moisturizers and face oils are not interchangeable. You cannot use oil in place of moisturizer because oils are too heavy for the skin. They will make your face oily and greasy, which is something you definitely want to avoid as it will make your skin look worse than ever.
"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.
Spread the moisturizer evenly around your face with your fingertips. Using your fingertips, smooth each dab of moisturizer upwards and outwards on your face using circular motions. You only need to apply gentle pressure to blend the moisturizer into your skin evenly. Be extra careful around the delicate eye area.
In addition to moisturizing the skin, aloe vera gel can ease or soothe conditions like. Frostbite. Aloe vera gel can help your skin in hot and frigid weather. If your skin is damaged from a mild case of frostbite, aloe vera gel may help your tissues regrow more quickly and boost healing.
“Moisturizing your face helps to protect the skin's barrier from irritation. It also helps to reduce the development of dryness, or helps you to revive your skin from dryness,” says Marmur. Moisturizer creates a barrier between your skin and the climate, including cold, dry air that can further dry out skin.
Moisture is another key factor when it comes to treating dark spots, according to Engelman. "Adding moisture back into the skin with oils and lotions can reduce the appearance of existing dark spots and prevent new ones from forming," she explains.
Salicylic acid can be helpful for all types of acne.” Salicylic acid is a go-to OTC ingredient for acne since it dissolves the dead skin cells in clogged pores, helping treat existing acne and prevent future breakouts.
In short, yes. "A daily moisturizer is necessary to maintain your skin's moisture barrier and to prevent environmental damage to your skin," Weinstein explains.