Why You Need to Use a Moisturizer

Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, a combination of the two, or somewhere in between, you need to moisturize your skin day and night.

Just like we need to hydrate our bodies throughout the day, so too we need to hydrate our skin to keep it elastic and plump. Our skin’s health depends on being clean and retaining moisture, and the healthier our skin is the more vibrant our complexion will be.

Here are some of the basic rules I like to follow when it comes to moisturizing:

1. Moisturize only on clean skin

Putting moisturizer on unclean skin can cause serious breakouts and clogged pores. Our pores need to be clean and clear in order to reap the benefits of a moisturizer (or any skincare product). This helps the ingredients in a moisturizer seep into the pores and hydrate your skin better. By moisturizing on top of unclean skin, your pores are not readily able to accept the good ingredients of a moisturizer, and the combination of grime and dirt in the pores with the ingredients of a moisturizer can lead to adverse affects. So don't do that.

2. Moisturize AM & PM

Moisturizing both morning and night are super important when it comes to helping your skin stay vibrant and healthy. The skin on the face, ears, neck and chest are the most sensitive to environmental changes and also shed cells more rapidly than other parts of the body. This is why it is crucial to hydrate these areas regularly in order for the skin cells to regenerate and turnover new cells (thus aiding in our plump and elastic complexions!). Also, the circular motions used when applying lotion helps stimulate blood circulation and subsequently promote new cell generation as well. Win-win!

3. Moisturizer is not one-size-fits-all

It is so important to do some research on the moisturizer you pick out for your skin type. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to skincare, so do your due-diligence and find the right moisturizer for your specific skin type. Ask a skincare expert, dermatologist, or even do some research online to find out more about ingredients and brands that have the right moisturizer to work for your skin. The moisturizer you found in your mom's vanity might not be the best one to use on your own skin.

4. Moisturizer should be applied with love

Like I said above, the skin on our face and neck is super delicate, so it is important to be gentle with it. Apply moisturizer in one of two ways: lightly pat it all over your face neck and decolletage, or apply it gently in circular motions to all those areas. Be sure not to rub and tug, and allow for enough product to cover all areas. Applying moisturizer is therapeutic in of itself. Treat yourself to a few moments of self care!

Enjoy this step in your skincare routine. Take time to appreciate your skin and all its beauty. Give it tender love and care, and it will glow back at you.