All Things Moisturizer

I know, I know, you probably already put cream on your face. Do you even know why? Is it because Ouma said you have to? Is it because it makes your face feel soft? Maybe it has sunscreen in and you figure that makes things quick and easy. Do you moisturize at night? In the morning? After you wash your face or just randomly? Like my previous article on face washing, moisturizing has all its own complexities, reasoning and ways to apply and not only so your face is baby bum soft (although that sure is a huge advantage). So put the regular body lotion or hand cream away from the rest of your skincare products and read on, it’ll only count in your favour. Remember you love your skin and you want to show it just how much!

Let’s start off super easy, what is a moisturizer? Any cream, any lotion, and any oil you apply to your face is a moisturizer, yes, it really is that simple. Your skin has a natural production of sebum –or ‘face oils’- and over-production leads to more oily skin and under-production leads to more dry skin. Therefore sebum is what aids in the skins natural hydration and moisturizer is an external tool that helps keep your skin hydrated. From previous articles in this blog, we have learned that oily skin types over-produce sebum, but a reason for this could also be due to pores being dried out, so yes, moisturizer is important for ALL skin types. Moisturizers are specifically formulated for protecting your skin barrier (such as from make-up, so you always should apply moisturizer before doing make-up), which is why any regular old cream would not work. It further helps to prevent dryness, shield sensitive skin, improve skin tone and texture, nourish the skin with antioxidants and it also possesses anti-aging benefits. Oh, and it makes skin so smooth, soft, and shiny, basically turning your face into a dolphin.

So now you’re probably thinking okay cool B I can be a dolphin, but really what is the point? Well, if you don’t moisturize you will be stuck with dull, dry skin (think more ugly crocodile over a smooth dolphin, you want to be a dolphin don’t you?) this is especially relevant during winter periods and areas of low humidity, lack of moisturizing could even lead to flaking skin. Secondly and most importantly (in my opinion), WRINKLES! Without moisturizing, the fine lines that you already poses will pop out into visible wrinkles because of dehydration. Fine lines are normal for everybody, I could be as results of smiling or frowning, but just because you have emotions, doesn’t mean you have to always show them, so literally, just moisturize. Breakouts getting worse is also another factor, as dryness can make acne worse, plus a good lotion can be very soothing for those painful pulsating little rascals. Staying on the point of acne, a lot of other products that fight acne have harsh ingredients, same with peeling forms for aging skins, so moisturizer creates that protective barrier needed to prevent the skin from becoming totally vulnerable. The last tip, for my make-up lovers, if you’re wondering why your make-up looks cakey, it’s because your concealer sticks to dry skin and falls into fine lines, so, again, moisturizing is key!

So now the trick to moisturizing is not just slapping anything onto your face and calling it a day, like with the application of any product, there’s a means. Men don’t just shave their face any way, nor do women just slap on makeup anyway. Everything has its method. Of course, you have to ensure that the moisturizer is right for your skin type (see B’s recommendations below for help) and that you are not allergic to it. The best method to test this would be to apply a small swatch on your inner arm where your skin is thinner than other areas and give it a day or two to determine whether the skin has a bad reaction to it. Applying the moisturizer self should be done on a CLEAN (that’s why the face wash article is there for you guys, to reference back to) and slightly damp skin. The reason for having your skin slightly damp (it could be from water, a serum, a toner, etc) is to absorb the product better. A moisturizer should also always be applied last (except if you are using a hydration spray, extra hydrating oil or sunscreen) in comparison to your other skin products, to make sure all those products are also locked in. The best application method would be in circular motions and to always tap and not rub it on. A great tip for aging skin would be to do upward and outward strokes on your forehead for lymphatic drainage and to decrease the appearance of wrinkles. Lastly, there is a difference between a morning and night moisturizer. At night your skin peaks in repairing itself, so night moisturizers are formulated with thicker ingredients and are more nourishing, whilst daytime moisturizers usually contain SPF for protection from the sun. If you don’t have two different moisturizers, that’s okay too, one is sufficient, as long as it is used regularly and properly.

B’s Recommendations

Oily & Acne-prone skin: African Extracts Rooibos Dual-Action Moisturiser; SKOON Retinin Resurfacing Moisturiser; Hey Gorgeous Banish & Repair moisturizer (B’s Top pick); Estee Lauder DayWear Matte Oil-control Anti-Oxidant Moisture Gel Crème; Cetaphil Pro Acne-prone skin Moisturizing Lotion

Dry skin: SKOON The One Super Moisturiser; The Body Shop Hemp Heavy-Duty Face Protector(B’s top pick); Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Moisturizer; Glamglow Waterburst Hydrated Moisturizer; Annique Lucid Ultimate Moisturiser for Dry Skin

Sensitive skin: Eu Thermale Avene Smoothing water-cream; Clean&Clear Oil-Free moisturizer; Sebamed Moisturizing Cream; Eucerin Skin Calming Cream; Lush Skin Drink Facial Moisturizer (B’s top pick)

Normal skin: The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream; Hey Gorgeous Vitamin C Moisturiser; Shiseido Giga-Hydrating Rich Cream; Epimax All Purpose Moisturiser (B’s top pick); Clinique dramatically different moisturizing gel

Combination skin: Sorbet Salon Skin Day Perfecting Cream (B’s top pick); Bioderma Hydrabio Gel-Crème; Garnier SkinActive 3-in-1 Face Moisturizer with Rose Water; Vichy Aqualia Thermal Mineral Water Gel; Clinique moisture surge

Mature skin: African Extracts Rooibos Advantage Firming Night Cream; Sorbet Age affect night cream; Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle deep wrinkle daily moisturizer; Loreal Paris Age Perfect Golden Age rose re-fortifying cream; Babor Complex cream (B’s top pick)

There we have it my lovelies! Continue loving the skin you’re in and you might just inspire the next person to do the same.

Keep going, keep glowing, and keep growing. You’re doing amazing.

• B x