We moisturize our skin daily to keep it hydrated, youthful and to help protect it from the elements. This is a simple step in our skin care routine that is practically fool proof – or is it? If you moisturize daily but your skin is still dull and flaky, then you may not be doing it correctly. Here’s the tricky thing about moisturizing: if you don’t do it right, then you may cause premature signs of aging. Here are common moisturizer mistakes that can age your skin.
Applying Moisturizer to Dry Skin
Dry skin has a layer of dead skin cells that makes it difficult for moisturizers to penetrate. In order to correctly moisturize your skin, first start by exfoliating. You can gently exfoliate by rubbing your face with a damp rag. Don’t use standard scrubs, like St. Ives, because this will harm your skin when applied daily. Apply your moisturizer after you have exfoliated.
Buying Harmful Ingredients
Just like you look at food labels, you should also look at the ingredients found in your moisturizer. The FDA does a terrible job of regulating what goes into cosmetics, which means we have to be extra vigilant. If you don’t like reading labels, look for known organic and all natural brands. A really good brand that never skimps on the naturalness of their ingredients is Sanre Organic Skinfood, which offers a wonderful rosemary lavender cream.
Swiping it On
You can swipe on your moisturizer and go, but you won’t receive the full benefits that way. Instead of quickly applying it, glide the moisturizer onto your face. Start at the middle and move outward, then do the same thing at the top of your face and bottom of your face.
Applying Makeup Too Soon
This moisturizer mistake is for the ladies. If you’re guilty of applying your moisturizer and then your makeup right after, you aren’t alone. But did you know that your moisturizer acts as a thin defense against the harmful chemicals commonly found in makeup products? Leave your moisturizer on for 10-15 minutes before you apply your makeup. This gives it time to create an even surface on your face.
Changing your Moisturizer too Frequently
Many of us believe that it’s important to change up the products in our skin care routine, including our moisturizer. The reason: our skin will grow used to it and the product will stop working. Skin doesn’t become immune to products. Your skin will change over time, and that’s when your moisturizer can become less effective. But if you have a moisturizer that works, don’t stop using it.
