Skipping moisturizer might seem harmless, but it can lead to dryness, irritation, and other skin issues. Here, discover seven essential reasons why moisturizer is a must-have in your skincare routine.
Is moisturizer really a must-have in your daily skincare routine? The question may seem tricky, but the answer depends on various factors, such as your skin type and lifestyle. Moisturizers play a vital role in keeping your skin happy, healthy, and hydrated. Whether you have dry, oily, or sensitive skin, moisturizing helps to lock in moisture, soothe irritation, and protect against environmental stressors; hence, understanding the moisturizing benefits is essential for your skin’s health.
What are the benefits of moisturizing?
Moisturizers are not only skin quenchers, they’re the guardians protecting your skin’s natural barrier. Their work starts by hydrating, ensuring suppleness, and locking in moisture to act as a protective shield for your skin, keeping out harmful elements. While their primary goal is keeping your skin hydrated, their additional benefits make them a must-have to achieve the perfect look, like reducing visible fine lines and wrinkles, creating a perfect layer for makeup, effectively calming irritation, dryness, and redness, and creating a smoother, more youthful complexion.
When it comes to worldwide usage, about 70% of individuals have included facial moisturizers in their skincare routines, as per the Media+1. But does that mean you should use one too? Don’t worry if you are still in doubt. We’ve also explored key factors and choices to consider if you’re planning to skip the moisturizer from your skincare routine again.
Choices And Facts to Consider Before Skipping the Moisturizer
Moisturising is an important step in the skincare routine, but is it truly necessary for everyone? While some swear by its benefits, others are still in doubt about whether to use it. Let’s explore the facts and considerations to help you decide whether including moisturiser in your skincare routine is worth it.
1. Hydration and Skin Barrier Protection: Moisturisers are important to maintain skin hydration and reinforce the skin’s barrier function. As per Harvard Health, the best moisturiser helps to retain water in the skin, preventing dryness and irritation, which is important after cleansing, as it strips the skin of its natural oils.
2. Skin Type Considerations:
- Dry Skin: A moisturiser for dry skin helps to reduce the tightness and flakiness of the skin.
- Oily Skin: Contrary to popular belief, oily skin also requires moisturisation. Skipping moisturiser for oily skin may cause the skin to produce even more oil to compensate for the lack of hydration.
- Sensitive skin: For those with sensitive skin, a moisturiser helps soothe irritation and protects against other environmental factors.
3. Age and Environmental Factors:
As we age, our skin’s natural ability to retain moisture declines, making moisturisers important to maintain skin elasticity and reduce the fine lines on the face. Also, environmental factors like cold weather, wind, or indoor heating can dehydrate the skin, which makes it more necessary to use the moisturiser to keep your skin protected.
4. What Can Skipping Moisturiser Lead To?
Not including moisturiser in your skincare regime can lead to:
- Dry and tight skin without the right level of hydration
- Overproduction of oil to fill in the dryness, leading to acne.
- With a lack of or no moisture on the skin, the fine lines and wrinkles become more visible.
5. Are there any situations where moisturiser may be less critical to use?
People with naturally balanced skin or those living in humid climates may have hydrated skin without the frequent need for a moisturiser. However, this is not a widespread practice, and most people are already benefiting from the regular use of moisturizers.
6. Choosing the Right Moisturiser
Selecting the moisturiser as per your skin type is essential to achieve the results you are looking for:
- For Dry Skin: People with dry skin can go with thicker creams containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin.
- For Oily Skin: For this type of skin, a moisturiser should be lightweight and non-comedogenic.
- For Sensitive Skin: Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic infused moisturizers would work.
7. Use Moisturizer in Your Daily Skincare Routine:
To achieve optimal results, apply moisturiser:
- After cleansing to lock in moisture
- Before bed, to help skin repair overnight.
- When using active ingredients such as retinoids or exfoliants to reduce the moisture loss.
Moisturizer isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s your skin’s everyday ally. Whether your skin tends toward dryness, oiliness, or sensitivity, the best moisturizer helps lock in moisture, reinforce your skin’s natural barrier, and shield it from environmental stress. Even experts agree it’s a must-have alongside cleanser and sunscreen for healthy skin. So, unless your skin is always in perfect balance, even through changing seasons, skipping moisturizer is not the solution, as it could make your skin more vulnerable. Instead, using it and adding the moisturiser to your skincare routine can help to keep your skin hydrated, calm, and glowing every day.
Also Read: How To Hydrate Skin The Right Way, According To Experts
