Why You Need to Moisturize

I don’t know about you, but one thing my grandmother has engrained in my brain, since I was little, is to always moisturize. As a kid, you think you’re invincible. As you get older, you realize, unfortunately, you’re not. Guess what that means, your grandma was right. Sunscreen, moisturizer, etc. It is so important to hydrate your skin, and that starts with a moisturizer.

It’s no secret that as we get older, things just don’t seem to work like they used to. The older you get, the less oils the glands in your face make (Complete Family Dermatology Team). That’s why it’s important to get ahead of the game. Moisturize while you’re young so you can maintain your soft, supple skin as you age, rather than trying to play catch up after years of not maintaining your skin. There are so many reasons to take care of your skin!

Protect Against Skin Issues

Moisturizing reduces the chances of developing skin problems. Unbalanced skin, whether too oily or too dry can lead to an abundance of other issues. For example, acne, while often dependent on other factors (hormones, genetics, stress), can sometimes be attributed to unbalanced skin. Other issues such as irritated, red, flakey skin, an overproduction of oil, and other things can occur. As explained by dermatologist Dr. Ted Lain, if you tend to have oily skin, a lotion is your best bet, as those tend to contain smaller amounts of oil. Whereas, if your skin usually errs on the side of dryness, a cream is the better way to go, as they contain more oil and will work better as a hydrating agent. Of course, no matter what your skin type, you always want to make sure to use a noncomedogenic moisturizer, as to not clog your pores with oils not meant for your face.  

Keep Your Skin Young and Wrinkle Free

Your face, along with your chest, neck, and ears, is much more sensitive than other parts of your body. This is due to the fact that your skin replaces the cells more often than say, your legs. While this is a good thing, it also makes your skin more susceptible to outside forces (Complete Family Dermatology Team). As moisturizing strengthens your skin, it helps repair damage and protects the newer, more sensitive skin. While moisturizing doesn’t entirely combat wrinkles from forming, it does diminish the appearance of wrinkles. Moisturizers trap water in the skin, plumping it up and giving the impression of fuller, firmer skin. It reduces fine lines so you will you appear brighter and more youthful.

Defends Your Pores from Harsh Elements

The environment is not necessarily filled with clean air, and your skin can feel that. Similar to how sunscreen protects your skin from the UV rays, moisturizer protects your skin from pollutants. Moisturized pores will be filled with the hydration necessary to lock out pollutants in the air, whereas dryer skin allows them to seep in more easily. “The main goal of our skin is to be an immune barrier,” says Anne Chapas, M.D. for CN Traveler, and the moisture barrier of our skin is the first line of defense our bodies have to protect from things like air pollution.

All of this is great, but let’s be real- the best part of moisturizing is how it makes you feel. A refreshing moisturizer right after a freshly washed face is unmatched. Although, every moisturizer wasn’t created equally. It’s important to find a moisturizer that works for you and your skin. Whether you’re dry, oily, acne prone, whatnot, it’s important to do some research and try different moisturizers until you find one that works for you! Most importantly, it's never too late to start! Whether you're 16 or 60, moisturizing can only help you. 

Here are a couple moisturizers for different types of skin!

For a moisturizer that works for all skin types, you may want to try Reuzel Hydrating Face Moisturizer.

For someone looking to reduce wrinkles and have skin appear more youthful, Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture is something worth trying out. Another Murad product to try is the Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel, which is good for any skin type but does a really good job locking in moisture, so it’s ideal for someone with dryer skin. To moisturize the rest of your body, Murad Intense Recovery Cream is a great way to relax your skin.