Moisturizing on a regular basis can provide an array of benefits to your skin. Many people refrain from regularly using moisturizer due to the fear that it will make their skin oily or increase the development of acne. In addition, those with particularly oily skin tend to refrain from moisturizing for this same reason. Oily skin still requires regular moisturizing to prevent damage to the surface of the skin. Here are a few things that you should know about regularly moisturizing your skin.
The Skin’s Natural Oil
Sebum is the name for the natural oil that is regularly produced by the skin. This oil is ultimately produced by the miniscule sebaceous glands that are present inside the follicles of the hair. Sebum then works its way out of the hair follicle, which allows it to accumulate dirt and dead skin cells. When the sebum arrives at the surface of the skin, it forms a protective shield that guards against virus and bacteria. When you wash your skin, it strips the natural oil of the skin, which can leave it vulnerable to potential damage. Using moisturizer can help to protect the skin after the natural oil has been stripped from its surface.
The Moisture Barrier
In addition to producing natural oils, the skin also creates a moisture barrier on its surface. This moisture barrier serves to protect the skin from damage that can be caused by external elements. Unfortunately, the moisture barrier can also become damaged by things such as excessive cleaning, skin pollutants, and UV rays from the sun. When the moisture barrier is damaged, it causes a loss of moisture and an increase in oil production of the skin. Moisturizer helps to fill in for the moisture barrier when it becomes damaged, as well as aids in preventing damage from occurring to the natural moisture barrier of the skin.
Using Moisturizer
It is important to ensure that you use your moisturizer effectively to ensure it provides the most benefits for the skin. If you have particularly oily skin, you will want to use a moisturizer that is lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic. Non-comedogenic solutions won’t cause blockage to the pores of the skin, which can be beneficial for oily skin. Ensure that you wash your skin prior to moisturizing it. When you don’t wash your skin first, you are likely to simply trap grime in the skin. Grime will regularly accumulate on the skin, which is why it is important to remove it prior to moisturizing. Though you generally only want to moisturize in the morning and the evening, there are some scenarios in which your skin may need to be moisturized more frequently. When you are in cold conditions, dry climates, or are traveling in airplanes, it is likely that you will want to moisturize more frequently.
Applying moisturizer appropriately will help to ensure that it is far more effective. You should generally moisturize within 3 minutes of washing the skin, to ensure that it is protected more effectively and doesn’t trap grime within the skin. Be careful about how frequently you use your moisturizer. When you use moisturizer too much, the skin will start to rely on it and will reduce natural oil production. You should use a facial moisturizer every morning with your regular skincare routine. The moisturizer that you use in the morning should contain sunscreen in order to prevent damage from the sun. When getting ready for bed in the evening, it is most beneficial to use a moisturizer that is designed specifically for your personal skin type. You may need to moisturize more frequently during the winter, when heating processes remove the humidity in the air from your home.
Benefits of Moisturizing
When you moisturize on a regular basis, your skin is likely to obtain many resultant benefits. Moisturizing helps to maintain your skin’s moisture barrier, which goes a long way toward preventing damage to your skin. Additionally, moisturizer can help to fill in for the moisture barrier when it becomes damaged. When you massage the skin while you apply moisturizer, you will stimulate the blood circulation of the skin. This also leads to the generation of new cells, which can ensure a far healthier surface of the skin.
How to Protect your Skin
It is important to take the steps to protect your skin and ensure that it remains in good condition. When you moisturize on a regular basis, you help to provide a layer of protection to your skin. Refrain from overwashing your skin, because this will strip natural oils from the surface of your skin. Adding a humidifier to your home will help to ensure that the air in the home retains more moisture, which prevents drying out of the skin. Taking colder showers can similarly help to prevent the skin from becoming dried out. When you dry your skin, you need to pat it dry, rather than rubbing it. This can prevent abrasion to the surface of the skin, as well as prevent grime from being lodged into the skin.
Ensure that you use only mild soaps and detergents, because more harsh chemicals can cause damage to the skin. Wear sunscreen whenever your skin will be exposed to the sun. This can help to prevent damage that UV rays can otherwise cause to the skin. It is important to ensure that you drink water frequently enough to remain hydrated. This will help to similarly keep your skin hydrated.
Contact Us
Here at the Skin Institute, we are dedicated to providing knowledge and guidance regarding superior skin health and processes to improve the appearance of the skin. Our courses are able to provide students with a thorough understanding of esthetics that will allow them to work in the field. We offer multiple courses to provide this education to aspiring professionals. We also offer many guest services that can be implemented to improve the health of the skin. To learn more about the courses or guest services that we offer, contact us at the Skin Institute today!
