How to Moisturize Your Skin Effectively

Soft and Supple Skin

Why use Moisturizer?

Knowing how to moisturize your skin effectively is one of the most important steps of a beauty routine. If our skin is not moisturized then this will have consequences.

Keeping the skin soft and supple is something in everyone’s reach, if they have the mind to do so. It’s not rocket science but a few pointers and tips to pick the right one is important.

Our skins change through the years and that is an undisputed fact.

If it did not change we would all have the skin of newborn babies, soft, plump and not a wrinkle in sight.

Regardless of your skin type, we all need some form of skin moisturizing or hydrating ranging from the oil free light lotions suited to a more oily or acne prone skin to the heavier oilier moisturizers favored by dry skins.

Moisturizer is needed for both the face and the body and as individuals we need to identify what it is we really need from our moisturizer, what are our priorities and what is the condition of our skin.

Age is another major factor to be considered as a 20 year old will not have the same needs as a 40 year old.

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Beauty Cream

Factors to Consider when choosing Moisturizers ~

Age

Skin Condition

What You Want From Your Moisturizer

Moisturizer Tips ~

The choices we are faced with in skin care brands are staggering and all claim to be the latest and greatest in technological advancement in skin care products.

Anti-Wrinkle creams, Anti-Ageing moisturizers, AHA enriched and sunscreen are the most common things the majority of us look for in a moisturizer, particularly in a face cream.

Effective moisturizing of the skin is in the product choice and the application of the cream. No point buying or making the wrong moisturizer, it is a waste of money.

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When applying moisturizer, how to massage your own face is perfect to incorporate into your routine as it stimulates the blood flow and circulation at the same time. Two processes in one go!

Part of our weekly skin care regime should include a face exfoliator or facial scrub in order to remove dry patchy skin, eliminate dead skin cells that build up daily and increase circulation.

Moisturizer will not be much good without doing a face scrub at least once a week. Some great quick easy and effective homemade scrubs are tomato and sugar scrub, banana scrub andpapaya and pumpkin exfoliating mask.

Influences on Your Skin ~

• Diet
• Medication
• Stress
• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• Smoking
• Excessive Drinking of Alcohol
• Work Environment
• Air Conditioning
• Wrong Skin Care Products

Seek Help if Needed

Author's Tips ~

Try Before You Buy any face moisturizer whenever possible. All major cosmetic companies such as Clarins, Lancome, Estee Lauder and Clinique do have samples even if they are reluctant to give out!

Go armed with your sterile container and disposable plastic applicator and ask for a sample of the tester, they cannot really object to that!

Do the same for cleansers, toners and eyecreams.

Don't Forget Suncreen

Skin Types ~

Sensitive skin

Tends to react and get irritated to ingredients in products. The most common ingredients in moisturizers are fragrance, lanolin, dyes, preservatives such as parabens and formaldehyde.

Commercial brands are not the only types of products to be careful of; natural ingredients including almond oil and aloe vera could potentially cause allergic reactions.

A patch test is essential for all those with sensitive skin before buying a moisturizer or making one and wearing a sunscreen is a must.

Dry Skin

Is best hydrated with a rich cream rather than a light lotion.

Dry skin has less natural oils or lipids and as we age our skin gets thinner and therefore less natural oils are produced.

Choose a day moisturizer that has an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or make sure your foundation, if wearing one, has the built in SPF.

For night use a slightly heavier cream which nourishes, hydrates and repairs the skin while at rest.

Oily skin

Produces an excess of sebum or oil naturally so therefore does not favor the oily lotions or creams.

While it may not need added moisturizer it does need hydrating. Light gel, or lotions are the best to use that are oil free and for daytime lotions make sure they have the sunscreen protection.

Oily skin still needs protecting in the same way and do not think you do not need a moisturizer, you do. An oil free lotion will not add oil but it will keep the skin hydrated with water, so to speak.

Harsh abrasive products are not the way to go thinking they will cut down on oil production. They will in fact do the opposite and produce more oil.

Importance ofSunscreen

This is vital for all of us to use. Everyday our skin gets subjected to pollution (free radicals), exposed to harmful UVA and UVB rays and extreme weather conditions.

For face and body, sunscreen provides protection for our skin and most importantly it helps prevent skin cancer.

Moisturize Skin Naturally ~

• Coconut Oil
• Olive Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Apricot Kernel Oil
• Grapeseed Oil
• Hemp Seed Oil

Applying Moisturizer

Know Your Skin Type ~

There are 5 classifications of skin types:

• Dry Skin
• Oily Skin
• Combination Skin (part oily and part dry or part normal part oily/dry)
• Sensitive Skin
• Normal Skin

Skin Type Test ~

A quick tip you can do at home if you are unsure of which skin type you fall into for the face.

• Apply your face cleanser and wait for an hour. Note any areas that feel tight or dry.
• With a different tissue each time press a tissue into 5 different areas of the face –
• The front and sides of cheeks
• The front and sides of the forehead
• Around the nose
• Check all the tissues carefully.
• If you find oily deposits on all 5 tissues then you have Oily Skin.
• If you find oil on just a few (usually the forehead and nose) and nothing on the other tissues, you have Combination Skin (normal/oily)
• Dry, flaky residue on a few and nothing on the others would indicate Combination Skin (normal/dry)
• Dry, flaky residue on all tissues would indicate a Dry Skin.
• Nothing would indicate a Normal Skin which is not that common.
• Sensitive Skin is generally easy to determine for the individual. Most people have already reacted to products or have a skin condition such as Eczema or Psoriasis. A reddish complexion or uneven skin coloring is often an indication to sensitive skin.

Pore Size Test ~

Check your pores on the face, are they large or small. Large would indicate an Oily or Combination skin and small pores tend to suggest Dry skin.

Body Moisturizer

Effective Body Moisturizing ~

Keeping our body soft, supple, nourished and protected is just as important as the attention to our face.

Often forgotten about, particularly in the colder months when we tend to be wearing more clothes and “out of sight out of mind” tends to kick in. The ideal time to apply body moisturizer is after a shower or bath. A shower gel salt scrub or sandalwood bath salts filled bath are ideal pre-moisturizing treatments.

A scrub is essential to use weekly to remove all the dead skin cells that accumulate on our skin. If they are not removed the skin will feel rough, patchy, and dry and pores become blocked.

With a scrub or exfoliator fresh new skin gets the opportunity to glow with increased blood flow and our moisturizer becomes so much more effective.

The feet are included in body moisturizing or at least should not be forgotten. You can do a relaxing foot bath followed by an exfoliating foot scrub to prepare our feet before moisturizing.

Information on the author, her bio and full body of works available @Suzie HQ

All dividers used in this hub are used with permission granted on hub, Creating Dividers to Use on Your Hubs

How to Moisturize Your Skin Effectively Comments

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on October 04, 2013:

Hi Thelma,

Thanks for checking this out. Glad you enjoyed and know you appreciate the importance of moisturizer in your homemade products and treatments you do for clients! Cheers as always have a great weekend!

Thelma Alberts from Germany on October 04, 2013:

I have to moisturize myself daily due to my dry skin. It´s worse when it´s wintertime. Thanks for sharing this very informative and useful hub Suzie. Enjoy your weekend!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 16, 2013:

Hi teaches,

It is not until later on we often see the benefits and reap the rewards of having looked after our skins from an early age. It is amazing to see the aging the sun alone does to skin when not protected too. When I lived in Turkey I was speechless at the village ladies I met and to find out their ages . They looked a good 20 years older because they are out in the fields or gardens working all day in strong sun. Moisturizing is so important so I am delighted you found this interesting and well written, what a lovely thing to say, thank you.

Dianna Mendez on February 15, 2013:

I moisturize daily both face and body. I have learned through the years it does make a big difference in keeping skin healthy and firm. Your post is well written and very well presented. It will help many out there to know what is best for them. Love your tips on how to wash your face properly.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 13, 2013:

Hi GTF,

Thanks so much for visit. Winter always sees the dry and itchy skin come into full force. keeping moisturized does help eliminate or reduce both. i know I have the same issue particularly in the colder damp months. Appreciate your input and comments!

Claudia Porter on February 12, 2013:

This time of year is awful for my skin. I really get dry and itchy spots and have a cream that does the trick. Keeping moisturized really helps me during the winter.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 12, 2013:

Hiktrapp,

Thanks for stopping by! The skin test is perfect for sensitive skin but everyone should test out a cream, lotion and foundation before buying to make sure they don't react to it. Hair coloring is the same. A patch test is simple, quick and easy to do and can save you investing in the wrong products or ingredients if making your own products.

Thanks a mill again!

Kristin Trapp from Illinois on February 11, 2013:

This time of year with the heat running all the time I find myself using more and more moisturizer, especially on my hands. I'll have to take the skin test that you gave instructions for. I've never done that before and am interested to see how it turns out. Thanks once again for all your wonderful tips.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 11, 2013:

Hi girishpuri,

Way to go for you!! Aloe vera is such a useful plant and delighted you find it so effective as a skin moisturizer. Appreciate you dropping by and for your input here!!

Girish puri from NCR , INDIA on February 11, 2013:

Hi, Suzie, I use Aloe vera pulp on my face and skin, and believe me this is the richest moisturizer available on earth, useful hub, thanks.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 10, 2013:

Hi vespa,

Glad you found another useful tip in patch tests, important particularly for sensitive skins. Sterile containers, from being on the other side of the cosmetic counter (ie selling the cosmetics!), are a great way of sampling before trying, even if you only get enough to try for a few days, you will get an idea if the moisturizer, eyecream or even foundation is right for you. Thanks for comments, visit and support as always my friend!!!!!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 10, 2013:

Hi londonlady,

I would be thrilled if you link to this on your glycerin hub!! Thanks so much, let me know when you publish, dying to read up on glcerin as it is used in many DIY beauty products. Thanks so much for votes and visiting!!

Vespa Woolf from Peru, South America on February 10, 2013:

I haven't done a skin type test since I was a teenager, and I know my skin has changed since then. I'm going to give it a go! I also like the suggestion of taking a sterile container with you when purchasing skin creams so you can take a sample home first. That's a great suggestion for me since my skin is sensitive and I never know how it's going to react to a new product. More great suggestions! Thanks!

Deya Writes on February 10, 2013:

I'm planning on writing a hub on glycerin...I can guarantee you I'll probably link this hub somewhere within mine. Very nice and detailed, voted up!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 10, 2013:

Hi dghbrh,

Many thanks for visiting and good to know you enjoy moisturizing so much! Air Con and flying do cause changes in the skin so good on you for recognizing this and being armed with a cream. Appreciate you voting and sharing very much!!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 10, 2013:

Hi DDE,

Delighted to know that you found this useful, many thanks for stopping by!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 10, 2013:

Hi rajan,

Glad you appreciated this and need to moisturize the skin for us all, male and female. Men should apply some to their face too. Thanks very much for the kind votes and for sharing!

deergha from ...... a place beyond now and beyond here !!! on February 10, 2013:

I simply can't stay without moisturizer. For I keep one large container at home and carry smaller in my purse and another in my office bag. During strong Indian summer also I need it. I am blessed with oily skin. But without moisturizing I feel something missing kind of. So during any flight and Air Conditioned room ....my hands will simply carry the important thing to feel nice. Yes...moisturizer simply makes me feel warm about myself and I am honest here. Thanks for sharing this and I am also sharing. Votes up useful +++++++

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on February 10, 2013:

Most helpful tips here on how to moisturize the skin effectively, if approached with such simple ways the skin can feel much smoother

Rajan Singh Jolly from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on February 10, 2013:

Moisturizing the skin is something all of us have to do; at least, applying moisturizer on the hands, if not on the face, for us males.

Great job on this one as well and your hubs on natural treatments for the body are unique, Suzie.

voted up and shared.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 09, 2013:

Hi Sunshine,

Good to hear your a moisturizer fanatic! Your dead right, moisturize on damp skin is great to do , thanks for reminding me. Appreciate your visit and input here.

Linda Bilyeu from Orlando, FL on February 09, 2013:

I am a moisturizer fanatic! Face, hands, body...I do not like dry skin. A trick of the trade I have learned is to apply moisturizer/lotion while skin in still slightly damp and the water helps trap the lotion to the skin. Damp skin, not wet. It really works!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 09, 2013:

Hi prasetio,

Lovely to see you, appreciate your visit! Moisturizing is important for all of us and i hope your family find useful.

Many thanks for all your votes and thumbs up on this my friend!!

prasetio30 from malang-indonesia on February 08, 2013:

Healthy skin is a sign that we maintain our health. It looks from the outer appearance. My friend, you come up with solution for us. I believe that many people will love to read this hub and follow your advice. I"ll show this hub to my mom and my sister. Thanks for writing. Voted up and press the buttons, except "funny". Cheers...

Prasetio

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 08, 2013:

Hi Bill,

With shaving, it is important for men to stop skin drying out. Even a touch of natural oils like olive oil is great! Olive oil is also a great substitute for shaving cream!! Many thanks for your lovely comments as always and all the votes, shares!! You know i am always delighted to receive them from you.

Bill De Giulio from Massachusetts on February 07, 2013:

Hi Suzie. I should probably do this more as my skin really dries out in the winter. I do use a hand moisturizer but rarely do anything for my face, not sure anything can help there? This is another well written, well formatted hub with great photos, tips, etc...Great job Suzie. Voting up, sharing, etc....

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on February 07, 2013:

Yeh!! OH YEH . . . . I did a beauty hub that BB does! LOL Thanks Bill, for being first to the post again, you're quite something . . . truly. Well done on your writing comp, it was an inspired idea. Appreciate as always your constant support :-)

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on February 07, 2013:

Okay, I actually do this for my hands. As for my face, there is no saving my face. It is what it is and I'm stuck with it. :)