SkinCare Alert: How To Apply Moisturiser
Applying moisturiser is the easiest part of your skincare routine right? The truth is a lot of us aren't doing it right, leading to many a breakout or dry skin problems that could be easily avoided. Whether it is choosing the wrong product or not realising that your moisturiser isn't doing anything for you, there are a few tricks that will mean your moisturiser will work that much harder for you. We've rounded up some useful insights from some of the world's biggest skincare experts about the five main mistakes we all make when applying moisturiser and how we can avoid them.
#1: YOU'RE USING TOO MUCH PRODUCT
The biggest signs for when you're using too much product? Clogged pores. Breakouts. Your skin looks greasy, and your makeup won't stay put. "If you are experiencing these symptoms, it's a good idea to reduce the amount you use or explore a different product that's more suitable for your skin type.
#2: YOU'RE NOT USING ENOUGH PRODUCT
Worryingly, if you don't use enough moisturiser, not only will you discover that your skin is a bit dry, you could also be increasing the likelihood of creating wrinkles. When the skin barrier is compromised, which is what we see when it becomes dry, there's actually a low-grade chronic inflammation that occurs in the skin. This can then lead to collagen breaking down, which in turn increases the look of ageing. Yikes. Remember to apply your cream by massaging it into the face, under the jawline and onto the décolletage.
#3: YOU'RE PUTTING IT ON DIRTY SKIN
If you're not cleansing and exfoliating your skin properly and thoroughly, your moisturiser can't sink in properly. Often when the skin is dry, we tend to load up on heavier creams to compensate for the dryness. But dry skin means you have dry skin cell buildup. And the more you layer on the heavier creams, the more you are trying to rehydrate dry skin cells, which makes no sense! Instead, increase your exfoliation to remove the dry skin cells, and then moisturise the new skin cells, resulting in a moister skin.
If you're looking for a gentle way to exfoliate your skin every day, try a toner like Noto Botanics Basil Yarrow Face Mist (£21); it contains which hazel that will help remove dead skin, allowing your moisturiser to sink in better.
#4: YOU'VE LAYERED TOO MANY PRODUCTS
Pilling of the products without allowing the skin to breath in between will result in the skin texture feeling rough and bumpy. So make sure you leave time between applying products (a minute at least), pat products you apply gently and check that anything containing "talc, iron oxide, mica, and fluorphlogopite" is applied as a last step.
#5: YOU'VE CHOSEN THE WRONG MOISTURISER
It's easily done and that's purely because it's not always clear what kind of skin you have. Once you know what best suits your skin, shop some of our favourite moisturisers here.
