Applying a day cream to the face is a natural gesture for most of us, especially in winter when the cold dries out the skin. However, it seems that many of us do not know how to apply our moisturizer correctly. This is emphasized by Daniel Isaacs, skincare formulator and director of research for cosmetics brand Medik8. He explains to our British colleagues Glamour how to get the most out of our facial treatments.
Do not let your skin air dry
The current trend is that we let our skin dry completely in the open air before applying day cream. And while this method makes sense (especially if you’re using a towel to dry your face), it turns out that air drying still isn’t the best way to maximize hydration.
“A common myth is that air-drying your skin is the best way to ensure it doesn’t get irritated and allows it to “breathe.” However, this can lead to moisture loss and dryness“, emphasizes Daniel Isaacs.
It seems that letting the water dry on your face ” contributes to transepidermal water loss (or TEWL), where water evaporates from the skin into the air, accelerating dehydration and leaving skin tight, rough, and more prone to fine lines and wrinkles.”
Apply day cream to damp skin
The right move? Daniel Isaacs recommends applying moisturizer to damp skin instead to better retain moisture. When the skin is slightly damp, it seems to absorb moisturizing ingredients better, which enhances the effectiveness of the product. This practice allows the moisturizer to create a barrier that retains hydration, which guarantees a plumper and more radiant complexion.
Remember that moisturizing cream is essential to compensate for water loss and prevent dehydration by providing a protective barrier. In fact, every day, your skin naturally loses around half a liter of water. This biological process is known as TEWL (insensible water losses).
Source: www.topsante.com
