Applying face moisturizer is one of the last steps of every beauty and skin care routine. If you’re still wary about how to apply moisturizer, then this article will teach you.
It’s an important step because moisturizer not only provides nourishment to your face, but also seals in all the other skincare items you’ve used.
In just 4 easy steps, you’ll get to keep your skin barrier hydrated and moisturized for the rest of your day. Keep reading our article below to get started.
How to Apply Moisturizer to Your Face the Right Way: 4-Step Method
Step 1: Cleanse and Tone
Start by washing your face with your trusty Korean foam cleanser and then pat it gently with your face towel after to dry off.
Apply your usual toner with a cotton pad (but we recommend using gentle Korean toners), and then wait for it to be fully absorbed by your skin.
Step 2: Dab
Make sure that your hands are clean before applying face moisturizer (or any product in general).
Take a pea-sized amount of product and then lightly dab it on your face. We recommend using your ring finger to do this as it applies the least amount of pressure on the skin.
If a pea-sized amount doesn’t seem to be enough, you can gradually add a little more as you spread the product with your hands later on.
You must dab the product on every part of your face and neck. This includes your forehead, cheeks, temples, nose, under eyes, and chin.
The cheeks tend to lose moisture faster, so you should apply moisturizer there before anywhere else.
Step 3: Spread
Lightly massage your face to spread the product.
For your face, it’s best to use upward strokes with your fingers to ensure that the moisturizer sinks into your skin well.
Step 4: Don't Forget Your Neck
Do the same upward strokes on your neck using your hands until everything is fully absorbed.
You can also take a look at this video by ELEMIS to help you visualize the steps:
Final Skincare Tips
#1 Check the Ingredient List
Before purchasing any facial moisturizer, be sure to go through the ingredient list first. This is especially important if you’re one of those acne-prone or sensitive skin types.
It’s best to stick to non-comedogenic moisturizers, night creams, and products if you’re prone to breakouts. This is since a formula with pore-clogging ingredients will cause pimples and acne.
People with a dry skin type will want a facial moisturizer containing other moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or shea butter.
If you have oily skin, you’ll have to get an oil-free and water-based moisturizer to make your skin look less shiny.
One product we recommend you check out is COSRX’s Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream.
#2 Don't Layer on Too Much
Though there are many useful beauty products available today, it’s best to limit how much of them you use in one sitting — especially if you have an oily skin or acne-prone skin type.
Having too many layers of skin care products underneath your moisturizer could make it less effective since it’ll take longer to get absorbed into your skin.
Too many layers could also cause breakouts and allergic reactions because your pores can only take too much. You may think that more products mean more moisture, but that’s not always the case.
If you’re doing a longer skincare routine, like the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine, then you can also try resting your skin every now and then. Give your skin some time off the other products to let it breathe.
#3 Apply Your Moisturizer, Even When You Have a Breakout
A common misconception for those with acne and pimples is that they should skip applying moisturizer. This is never a good idea and will only lead to a bad experience.
Everyone needs moisturizer, whether you have oily or dry skin. Skipping using moisturizers will only disrupt the moisture balance on your skin and cause even more irritation.
Moisturizer is also what seals in all the other products that you’ve applied to your skin. It ensures that all the essential nutrients your skin needs actually stay.
Beauty experts recommend that people with a dry skin type use richer face creams to retain moisture and water content longer on their skin.
Those with oilier skin or combination skin should use a water-based face cream to avoid not adding more grease to the skin cells and T-zone area.
We suggest you get a good Korean moisturizer since their formulas tend to be gentler on most skin types.
#4 Use Sunscreen
Never skip sunscreen! You can apply as many face and eye creams as you want, but your skin cells will always need SPF protection.
If you’re going outdoors, you should use sunscreen with at least SPF30. When staying indoors, a product with SPF15 will do.
It’s important to have a good sunscreen, especially if you’ll use exfoliants (like Glycolic Acid) under your moisturizer and serums.
Additionally, you should wear sunscreen on your body as well. Every part of your body is vulnerable to UV damage, so it’s best to use preventive measures. It will make all the difference.
For the best options, take a look at our Best Korean Sunblock Reviews.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve reached the end of this article, we hope that you’ll get to correct any mistakes that you used to make when applying your moisturizer.
Hydrating your skin really isn’t rocket science. You just have to buy the right product and then pair it with the proper application method to your face.
Just follow the 4 steps we’ve relayed above, and you’ll enjoy smoother, more supple, and more nourished skin in no time!
CHANGELOG:
August 24, 2021 – Improved article formatting, reviewed and updated overall content, added 1 YouTube video to help visualize the steps
July 16, 2021 – Reviewed and updated article links
