You may have heard that regularly using moisturizer is the first step toward unlocking more glowy, hydrated skin. And this is true, generally speaking. But, once you incorporate moisturizer into your routine, it’s critical to develop a moisturizing schedule and frequency that’s optimized to meet your skin’s unique needs.
So, how often should you moisturize your face?
Although moisturizing twice a day is a good general guideline to follow, there are a wide range of factors that can affect your skin’s hydration levels—and, in turn, your personal needs when it comes to moisturizer. While regularly using moisturizer is vital for maintaining healthy skin, it’s equally important to understand the optimal frequency for moisturizing your face, which can vary based on several factors. Keep reading to learn how often you should moisturize your face based on your skin type, environment, and more.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MOISTURIZATION
Hydration is the basis of healthy, glowing skin. By moisturizing on a daily basis, you can regulate your skin’s moisture level by keeping water trapped on your skin. And, when your skin is well-hydrated, you can prevent pesky issues like:
- Cracking
- Flaking
- Redness
- And even acne
Having plump, hydrated skin also assists with wrinkle prevention and reduces the intensity of your fine lines. In fact, the peptides in certain moisturizers encourage collagen production that boosts your skin’s elasticity, ultimately making you look younger.
Put simply, moisturizing daily is essential for both the look and health of your skin.
MOISTURIZING FOR SKIN TYPE
Regardless of your skin type, regular moisturization is a key aspect of healthy skin. However, skin type does have an impact on how often you moisturize—particularly if you have oily skin.
While applying moisturizer twice per day is a good place to start, people with oily skin may want to scale back to once per day since their natural skin oils play a role in skin hydration. If you have oily skin and you over-moisturize, you may disrupt these natural oils and actually cause skin dryness.
MOISTURIZING IN DIFFERENT CLIMATES
Your environment can also have a major impact on your skin. For instance, if you live in a place that has plenty of moisture in the air, you may not need to moisturize as frequently. However, if you live in a cold, dry climate, the air can easily dry out your skin, requiring you to pay special attention to your skin’s hydration needs.
Additionally, if your skin is used to one climate and you move to a new area, prepare to adjust your moisturizing frequency to help your skin remain balanced.
Your optimal moisturizer formulation can also vary based on climate. Here are a few examples of different formulations to try depending on where you live:
Hot climates
Heat and sun can dry out and damage your skin, so consider looking for a hydrating moisturizer that includes a daily SPF.
Dry climates
When the weather is especially dry, it’s critical to have quality humectants in your moisturizer that can help your skin attract and retain water.
Humid climates
Just because there’s moisture in the air doesn’t mean you should forego moisturizer completely. Look for lightweight, non-greasy options that offer hydration without clogging your pores.
Cold climates
Skin is prone to drying out in cold weather, so focus on moisturizers that include extra enriching ingredients that promote healing and limit inflammation.
SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS TO YOUR MOISTURIZING ROUTINE
As the seasons change and climate fluctuates, you can make minor adjustments to optimize your skincare routine. For instance, a heavier cream might be necessary in winter, while a lighter lotion could be better in the summer.
Focus on how seasonal changes impact your skin, and be prepared to be flexible with your regimen while still moisturizing on a consistent daily basis.
MORNING VS NIGHTTIME MOISTURIZATION
Quality moisturizers are fantastic for both morning and nighttime applications. However, some moisturizing creams are more effective at certain times of day.
Typically, daytime moisturizers are lightweight and designed for comfortable, all-day wear. On the other hand, nighttime moisturizers are heavier, allowing the active ingredients to sink into your skin slowly as you sleep.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT MOISTURIZER
Selecting the best moisturizer for your skin involves considering ingredients that benefit your specific skin type. Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and shea butter for dry skin, or non-comedogenic options for acne-prone skin. Products with vitamin E and aloe vera can soothe irritated skin, and for those concerned about skin cancer, moisturizers with SPF are essential.
OVER-MOISTURIZING: IS THERE SUCH A THING?
We briefly touched on it earlier, but it’s definitely worth mentioning again: you can actually have too much of a good thing when it comes to moisturizer.
If you apply more moisturizer than your skin needs, you could end up with chronic dry skin. This is because when you bog your natural skin barrier down with excessive products, you make it harder for your skin to naturally produce its own oils.
Here are a few signs that you’re over-moisturizing your skin and may need to scale back the frequency of your skincare routine:
- Frequent breakouts
- Clogged pores
- Oily skin
- Irritation bumps
- Dryness and flakiness
Pay attention to any changes in your skin as you moisturize, and adjust your moisturizing frequency as needed until you discover the right balance.
CONCLUSION
The bottom line is, "how often should you moisturize your face?" ultimately depends on your individual skin type, environment, and the specific needs of your skin. By choosing the right moisturizer and adjusting your routine as needed, you can ensure your skin remains hydrated, healthy, and glowing.
GET GLOWING, HYDRATED, WELL-MOISTURIZED SKIN WITH SEVEN:THIRTY
Regardless of how often you moisturize, make sure to choose an enriching, non-greasy formula like Seven:Thirty’s HERO Peptide Moisturizer. Expertly formulated with copper peptides and zinc gluconate, the HERO Peptide Moisturizer works to rejuvenate skin cells, stimulate collagen production, improve skin elasticity, and reduce inflammation for people of all skin types—oily, dry, combination, sensitive, aging, and even acne-prone, providing the right balance of hydration and skin health benefits.
Get the most out of your moisturizer by upgrading your skincare routine with Seven:Thirty.
Sources:
Northwest Dermatology Group. Dry vs. Oily Skin. https://www.nw-derm.com/dry-vs-oily-skin/
HowStuffWorks. How to Moisturize by Climate. https://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/moisturizing/tips/moisturize-by-climate.htm#pt4
Byrdie. Do You Really Need a Daytime and Nighttime Moisturizer? https://www.byrdie.com/day-and-night-moisturizer-4799804
Health Shots. Are you using too much moisturizer? Here are 5 signs that suggest you might be. https://www.healthshots.com/beauty/skin-care/5-signs-that-suggest-you-are-over-moisturizing-your-skin/