STEP 3 – Moisturiser – The Essential Step!~

The benefits of moisturising are amazing, and you will see immediate results.  It’s not a step that should be missed.  I will always advise clients that if they are going to do anything to change their skincare regime and they don’t already do this step religiously – start.

Why should we moisturise?

Hydrating our skin is an essential step in the basic skincare regime.  Not only does it help keep the skin soft and supple, but it helps protect it from environmental damage such as weather change, pollution and the sun’s rays.

When should we moisturise?

This step should take place twice daily, right after cleansing (and toning if you include this step in your routine) whilst the skin is still slightly damp.  This will aid in locking in the moisture from the product.

The benefits of moisturising include~

• Prevents dryness. Cold or hot weather conditions, air conditioning and central heating in our  workspace or home can all become factors in sucking moisture levels out of your skin.
• Protection from The Sun. I can’t stipulate enough how important it is to protect your skin from the sun exposure, even in the winter months.  Dermatologists recommend you use an SPF every day so why not double up & choose a moisturiser with a built-in sun protection factor.
• Soothe Sensitive Skin. Got dry, irritated skin, dry & flaky patches? It needs extra special care & attention. Treat your skin to a rich cream moisturiser. Look for calming ingredients like aloe Vera, chamomile, oatmeal & honey to name a few.

Other benefits include~

• Helps prevent premature ageing of the skin. Hydrated skin looks younger as we know.  However, you may feel ‘why start now?’ If you’re in your early teens or twenties, the truth is, it’s never too early to start fighting those future fine lines and wrinkles.
• It will help to lock moisture into the skin and keeps it hydrated all day.
• Can aid in fighting acne. It may seem strange to add further oils to an already oil prone skin however, it does make sense.  When you moisturise, it sends a message to the sebum glands which produce the oil that can block pores and cause breakouts.  It can be an over production of sebum that can cause problematic skin conditions like acne.  So adding moisture can actually tell these glands to slow the sebum production down, effectively helping to correct the problem.
• Moisturising can help improve the appearance of makeup and enable it to apply easier. It also acts as a layer of protection to prevent blocked pores.

Some of my favourite moisturisers are~

• Neal’s Yard Frankincense Hydrating Cream £30, suitable for all skin types and great for mature skins.
• Neal’s Yard Rose and Mallow Moisturiser £22, for all skin types.
• The Body Shop Vitamin E moisture cream £20, normal to sensitive skin.
• Arbonne Rejuvenating Cream £33, all skin types
• Neal’s Yard Purifying Palmarosa Daily Moisture £25, for oily and combination skin.

How do we moisturise?

As I said before, it’s ideal to moisturise after you have cleansed your face so, here’s a little break down for you in simple steps.

• After washing/showering, pat the skin dry and apply you favourite moisturiser.
• Be gentle! Don’t pull or drag the skin with the application, instead use smooth, gentle strokes in an upward and outward motion.
• Always apply makeup AFTER moisturiser and SPF and allow a minimum of 20 minutes for the product to absorb into the skin.
• Don’t forget to hydrate your lips too. Use a lip balm or cream that contains hydrating properties like Shea butter and make sure it contains an SPF too.

Can you over moisturise?

The short answer is, Yes.  You can use too much or too richer formula for your skin.  Facial moisturisers are designed to be concentrated so a little goes a long way.  Applying more of the product won’t give you better skin results.  In fact, it can often cause an adverse effect and do the opposite…. signs that you are over-applying will show up in the form of clogged pores, blackheads, bumpy textured skin and excess oil.

So, how often should I be moisturising?

The face should be moisturised once in the morning and once in the evening.  Day moisturisers help to protect as well as hydrate, while night creams often do corrective work whilst you sleep.

During the night, your skin moves into repair mode.  Anti-inflammatory and anti-stress hormones are released.  The skin’s dehydration level peaks thanks to trans-epidermal water loss (water loss through the skin).  Melatonin, the sleep hormone and growth hormone production are at its highest and stem cell reproduction occurs.  Beautiful skin starts with a good night’s sleep.

What is the difference between DAY and NIGHT cream?

Day creams tend to have a lighter formulation to absorb quickly and can contain SPF.  The consistency is usually lighter and applies well under makeup.

Night-time products help maintain healthy skin and reduce signs of ageing overnight.  They tend to be thicker and richer in formulation and consistency, so they release the beneficial properties slower throughout the night.  This is an essential step in your skincare regime too.