The Importance of Face Moisturiser

Face moisturiser is an everyday essential and choosing the right one is just as important. Learn how to choose & apply moisturiser in your daily routine.

Think of skincare as a set of building blocks, with radiant and smoothed skin being the (hopeful) end result. A vital component of these steps is moisturiser. Most of us, even those at the beginning of their skincare journey, use and understand the value of moisturiser. What you might not know is the range of protective benefits that this staple product provides.

If you've ever admired healthy looking skin – one product definitely utilised will have been moisturiser. You don’t get suppleness without hydration, and consistently radiant skin is consistently moisturised skin.

To know why you should be moisturising in both the AM and PM, and the best ways to do it, read on. We break down the importance of moisturiser and the best routine below.

What is skin dryness?

When skin feels tight and looks tired, it’s usually a symptom of skin dryness. While the flakiness and roughness associated with dry skin types are dead giveaways, skin dryness is shared by all skin types (yes – including oily types!). The cause of skin dryness is a lack of water in the epidermis – our most superficial layer of skin. When the epidermis doesn’t have the right levels of lipids (oils and fats) and protein, we experience trans-epidermal water loss, resulting in skin dryness. This occurs more frequently during the colder, dryer months – dry climates can actually suck moisture from skin.

What does moisturiser do for the skin?

Each skincare step has its own unique purpose, but all products work in tandem with each other. Many steps actually strip moisture from skin - take cleansers and exfoliators for example. The process of removing oil and dead skin to encourage skin cell turnover leaves fresh skin exposed and vulnerable to dehydration. Serums are hydrating on their own, but the nature in which they’re absorbed requires a moisturising follow-up.

The best way to treat moisturiser is as a sealer. Each step beforehand purifies and nourishes skin, and your moisturiser makes sure that those ingredients alongside vital water are locked in. Without moisturiser, the other products in your routine can exasperate dryness.

Benefits of using moisturiser in the morning

Hectic AM schedules are a common experience, but your morning skincare routine is both a protective and strengthening measure, and so should always take precedence. Make sure to perform this self-care method correctly by applying moisturiser. By doing so your skin barrier will be properly nourished and ready to defend against the day. Follow with a face oil to further seal moisture in and SPF. Below are the major benefits of using moisturiser in the day..

Reduces fine lines

Plumping, toning and tightening. If those benefits sound ideal to you, then consistent moisturising is your answer. Applying an anti-ageing day cream like the Renergie Multi-Lift Day Cream Rich firms skin and smoothes out wrinkles and fine lines through the hydration it provides.

Regulates skin’s oil production

Our levels of sebum (the natural oil our body produces) can become unbalanced throughout the day. Oil can be stripped but also overproduced due to external aggressors like pollution and sun damage. Applying moisturiser in the morning helps to regulate sebum levels. This means that moisturising benefits those with acne-prone skin and can help to decrease blemishes and breakouts.

Aids makeup application

Makeup requires the right base so as not to dry out or disappear throughout the day. Your moisturiser will assist in evening out skin for a plump and soft texture, which is imperative for makeup to properly absorb and sit on skin. Applying your primer and foundation after moisturiser will help skin to properly glow without become cakey.

zendaya applying makeup after face moisturiser

Protects against external aggressors

Our best defence against external stressors like sun radiation, pollution, extreme climates and changing body temperatures is our skin barrier. To be at its best, the skin barrier needs to be properly hydrated. Achieve healthy skin by infusing moisture into your epidermis. For extra protection, use an SPF moisturiser like theHydra Zen Anti-Stress Moisturising Day Cream SPF15.

Ingredients that work well with moisturiser

To build a skincare routine that does the most for your skin type, pair ingredients that each moisturise. Remember, your moisturiser should go after cleansing and applying a serum, and before pressing on a face oil and using SPF. Below are ingredients that assist and compliment moisturiser.

Hyaluronic acid

One of the biggest names in hydration, hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1000x times its own weight in water. This means that moisture can be held and retained better, keeping moisture levels up. By using a hyaluronic acid-infused moisturiser like the Hydra Zen Glow Liquid Moisturiser, you'll prevent water loss and help skin to achieve radiance.

Ceramides

Ceramides are fats found naturally in our bodies. What makes them so integral to skin is their high concentration in the upper layers of skin. By pairing ceramides with a moisturiser, your skin barrier will be intensely nourished. Use a ceramide-based serum like the Absolue Ultimate Repair Bi-ampoule before applying your moisturiser for visibly regenerated skin.

Benefits of using moisturiser at night

Our skin is most permeable at night. This means that the ingredients in our skincare routine can be fully absorbed and most effective. We also lose moisture during the night, so making sure to infuse moisture in skin with a night cream like the Genefique Night Repair Cream before going to bed is imperative.

Loved this guide? Read on to find out the ultimate anti-ageing skincare routine.