Key Benefits of Moisturizer for Healthy and Glowing Skin: Know All about It

Skin hydration is one of the most crucial factors for healthy, soft, and glowing skin. Just like your body needs at least 8 glasses of water, your skin requires proper nourishment and hydration to function. 
Finding a moisturizer suitable for your skin type is essential to get the radiance you have always wanted. So, in this blog, let’s explore various unknown yet necessary aspects of moisturizers, their uses, and benefits.

What is Moisturizer?

The term ‘moisturizer’ is one of the most popular among all the skincare products we use on a regular basis. It is considered to be one of the must-haves among all the skincare products we use to get hydrated skin.

Moisturizers (gel, cream, or lotion) can be combined with various humectants. They can provide nourishment by creating a strong barrier useful to protect the skin from multiple environmental factors like pollution. It helps us by keeping the outer layer of the skin hydrated and resilient.

Different Types of Moisturizers

With the growth of several brands offering multiple skincare products, we can find different types of moisturizers. Some of them are as follows:

1. Lotion

Lotion is a very common term often referred to as moisturizer. It is light and provides hydration to the body. Individuals with normal and combined skin can use lotion, as it is one of the skincare products suitable for all skin types.

2. Creams

Cream is a type of face moisturizer that is smooth and helps hydrate the skin. Cream’s thick consistency makes it suitable to use during winter.

3. Gel

Gel or water-based moisturizers are non-greasy, transparent, and get absorbed into the skin quickly. Their hydrating properties make the skin smooth and soft without clogging the pores. The gel-based moisturizers can work on all skin types, including sensitive, dry, and oily skin. In fact, this type of moisturizer is best known to be effective for individuals suffering from acne problems.  

4. Ointment-based

Ointment-based moisturizers are the thickest and keep the skin nourished by locking in the moisture. This type of moisturizer is effective for eczema-prone skin and works wonders in cold temperatures.  

Key Ingredients to Look for in a Moisturizer

Moisturizer is considered to be one of the most important skincare products for regular use, as it consists of multiple ingredients providing different benefits to the skin. Here are some of the key ingredients that a moisturizer contains:

1. Vitamin C

It is an antioxidant useful to protect the skin from environmental factors such as pollution. It helps to boost collagen production, resulting in skin brightness and elasticity.

2. Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is one of the key ingredients that help to keep your skin hydrated. Its hydrating properties make it one of the most sought-after ingredients for a moisturizer.

3. Niacinamide

Niacinamide has multiple skin benefits. For example, it can provide the required brightness to the skin and help to prevent acne breakouts by hydrating the same. One of the best things about niacinamide is that it suits all skin types, making it one of the most significant ingredients for any moisturizer.

4. Ceramides

Ceramides are a type of lipid useful to maintain a skin barrier. It is used in the formation of various types of moisturizers as it is suitable for all skin types.

5. Retinol

Retinol is a type of Vitamin A, which is found beneficial for removing wrinkles, dullness, and fine lines. It is also suitable for all skin types, making it one of the important ingredients to be used in moisturizers.

Benefits of Moisturizer for Skin

Despite the presence of multiple skincare products, most people prefer to purchase moisturizers to enhance their skin’s radiance and glow. Apart from providing the required hydration to the skin, moisturizers have several other benefits. So, let’s see what those are:

1. Skin Nourishment and Hydration

No one wants to have dull and dry skin. However, the lack of proper hydration and nourishment can make your skin rough and itchy, which is why choosing the right moisturizer for dry skin is so important. It is advisable to apply moisturizer to your skin regularly if you want to protect the skin's elasticity.  

2. Reduce the Aging Signs

Aging is one of the key factors affecting the skin negatively. But proper application of a moisturizer aligned with your skin's requirements can have more benefits than you can imagine. For example, dehydrated skin can weaken the skin barrier, causing premature aging and skin irritation. However, applying a moisturizer to the skin can reduce the fine lines, wrinkles, and several other aging signs.

3. Works Wonders for Sensitive Skin

If you are looking for a moisturizer suitable for individuals with sensitive skin, you can relax. Moisturizers come with different soothing ingredients such as chamomile, oat extract, and aloe vera, which can be beneficial for people with sensitive skin. Its calming effect has a positive impact on the skin, making it healthy.

4. Provides a Strong Skin Barrier

Moisturizers are also beneficial for locking in the moisture on your skin and can stop trans-epidermal water loss. Further, it provides the skin with a strong natural barrier that can protect the skin from ecological stressors, such as pollution. As a result, it can stop stubborn skin problems like hyperpigmentation, skin sensitivity, and redness.

How to Select the Right Moisturizer

If you want to address your specific skin problem, then you need to be able to select the right moisturizer. So, there are multiple significant factors that you need to consider to select a moisturizer that aligns with your skin type and skin problems. Let’s find out what those are:

1. Skin Type

Moisturizers are beneficial, but only if they suit your skin type. For instance, an individual with oily skin may not benefit from a moisturizer designed for dry skin. So, it is advisable to select an ointment-based moisturizer if you have dry skin. On the other hand, if you have acne-prone skin, a gel should be suitable as it avoids clogging the pores and can nourish the skin.

2. Atmosphere

The atmosphere is a crucial deciding factor when it comes to selecting a moisturizer for your skin. For example, if you live in a cold region, you can purchase a moisturizer that is good for hydration. On the contrary, people living in cities often find water-based moisturizers soothing and hydrating to the skin.

3. Skin Concerns

Skin concern is one of the most significant factors you should consider at the time of purchasing a moisturizer for regular use. Once you get a clear idea about your skin type, you will also be able to understand your problems, such as aging signs, dryness, acne, and other concerns. So, consider selecting a moisturizer that can provide you with the essential skin benefits.

When Should You Apply a Moisturizer?

Purchasing the right moisturizer required for your skin type and concerns is essential. But you also need to know the right time to apply a moisturizer to get better results.

1. Before Washing Your Face

One of the best times to apply a moisturizer is before washing your face. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, damp skin can lock the moisture in the skin. So, you can consider using a moisturizer after cleaning your face in the morning.

2. Before Going to Bed

The nighttime skincare routine is extremely essential to get a glowing and hydrated skin. The skin starts to repair itself after a hectic day, and hydrating it with an effective moisturizer can offer multiple benefits. So, apply a little bit of moisturizer on the skin after washing it with a face wash, and repeat this process regularly to see the results.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Moisturizer

Having a clear idea about applying a moisturizer to your skin is as necessary as buying the same. So, here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to apply a moisturizer:

1. Clean Your Face

At first, you need to clean your face with water or a suitable face wash.

2. Take the Required Amount of Moisturizer

The next step is to squeeze a little bit of moisturizer onto your palm

3. Rub Gently

After that, you need to apply the moisturizer gently on your face in a circular motion and spread it evenly on your skin.

4. Apply to the Neck

After gently rubbing the moisturizer on your face, you need to apply the same to your neck as well.

 Moisturizer is one of the key skincare products that can provide us with glowing and radiant skin. But you need to understand its uses and benefits to get a clear idea about its effectiveness. So, it is advisable to understand the various aspects of the moisturizer, including its benefits, before you purchase the product for yourself.