9 Best Times to Apply Facial Moisturizer

woman applying facial moisturizer
Photo by Park Street on Unsplash
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You should never skip your moisturizer! Even more so, you should know how and when to use it to get the most benefits from it. Should you moisturize your face at night? What are the techniques on how to apply moisturizer? How do you know how often to moisturize your face?

We’re pretty sure that you’re here because you’re wondering why there are several best times you can apply your facial moisturizer, and we’re here to help you out. Here’s a guide on how you can easily incorporate moisturizer into your skincare regimen:

1. Apply facial moisturizer before putting on your makeup.

It’s important to moisturize before putting makeup all over your face. Aside from the protection it gives, it helps in hydrating and smoothing out your skin, giving you an even better complexion, for the best makeup experience ever! Makeup is just so much better on well-moisturized skin.

Here are some of the ingredients that you should look out for in moisturizers to apply before makeup: 

  • Hyaluronic acid: Keeps your skin plump and hydrated for the rest of the day
  • Glycerin: Another humectant like hyaluronic acid that draws water into the top layer of your skin
  • Shea butter: A natural ingredient that can work to smooth out your skin and keep moisture contained
  • Petrolatum: Creates a protective coating over your skin that prevents water from evaporating

2. When you’re breaking out.

Keeping your skin moisturized, even in between breakouts, is important. You do not have to keep all the moisture away from your face just because you’re terrified of breaking out even more. 

3. After a good cleansing.

One of the best times to put on facial moisturizer is when your skin is still damp after washing your face (or using the double cleansing method) because this can help lock in the moisture. Use your moisturizer just before your skin dries right after cleansing.

4. Right after a shower.

It is important that you remember to apply moisturizer to the skin below your jawline. Pay attention to dry areas such as the elbows, knees, and ankles, and make sure that you apply a good amount of lotion all over.

5. In the morning.

Before you start your day, hydrate your face by applying some face cream or facial moisturizer. Make sure to choose the right facial moisturizer for your skincare routine. Make sure that you select the ones that are formulated with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. You should also take other sun protection precautions to protect your skin from overexposure to the sun.

6. Also at night.

Should you moisturize your face at night? Yes!

Apply a thick layer of lotion to your hands and feet at night and you can cover them with gloves and socks. Start a proper nightly skincare routine that you will get used to and try to do it religiously every single night. You can use cooling or ultra-hydrating moisturizers or cream before going to sleep for that extra oomph. Your skin will thank you later.

7. Before and after flights.

Since your skin tends to get insanely dry in airplane cabins, especially on long-haul flights, you need to apply some facial moisturizer pre-and post-flight. You can bring a convenient facial mist with you so you can spritz whenever you feel like the humidity starts getting uncomfortable mid-flight. It never hurts to always be ready.

8. Facial moisturizer instead of makeup.

If you want to skip makeup and go bare-faced for the day, you can opt for that fresh-looking natural skin by using a face cream or facial moisturizer. This way, you’re leaving your skin feeling and looking fresh and hydrated.  Even though you’re not going to get the coverage that your usual foundation gives, it will still give you that beautiful glowing complexion.

9. And when you just feel like it.

If you’re still wondering how often to moisturize face, keep in mind that you can never go wrong with hydrated and beautiful skin. So if you just feel like it, go ahead and use your favorite facial moisturizer (or facial oil, if you prefer) any time of the day! Just a note: you might want to read your moisturizer ingredient label to know how to apply moisturizer in particular, and to make sure there are no ingredients that will clog your pores or sensitize your skin.

Over to You

Now that you know whether you should moisturize your face at night or during the daytime, make sure that you also know the best face moisturizer for your skin type.