Top 10 Serious Misconceptions About Moisturizers

This is a misconception that many people fall into, especially those with oily skin. The idea that moisturizer causes the skin to become oilier is a fear that has led many individuals with oily skin to avoid using moisturizers altogether.

In reality, moisturizer not only does not make your skin oilier but also helps control and minimize the amount of oil on your skin. Excess oil production is often a result of insufficient moisture in the skin, leading the skin to produce oil to balance surface moisture. This is a smart mechanism of the skin and the brain but can be a source of anxiety for many.

When you provide adequate moisture to your skin, you will be surprised that your skin is not oily but rather soft and smooth. A helpful tip for individuals with oily skin is to choose moisturizing products labeled as 'oil-free' or gel-based products to avoid pore blockage and the formation of acne.

For those with dry or weather-affected skin, moisturizer is the simple and effective solution to quickly improve this issue.

With good moisturizers, you will see results after just 1-2 days of use. When used correctly, the skin stops producing excess oil, the surface becomes firm and adequately moisturized, without dryness or cracks.

Many people have the misconception that using moisturizer will lead to 'moisturizer addiction,' and stopping its use will result in an intolerable dry feeling on the skin. This is a somewhat 'illogical' thought. We want to care for our skin, moisturize it, make it more beautiful and comfortable, so we will continue to moisturize. It's simply a preference for a particular state of the skin, leading to the action of continuing to use moisturizer, not a 'addictive' feeling, so don't be mistaken!

Contrary to those with oily skin, this is a common misconception faced by those with dry skin. Dry and cracked skin always makes women lose their confidence. With the desire to quickly have smooth skin, many people apply a lot of moisturizer with the thought that the thicker the layer, the more moisture the skin will have, and it will penetrate deeper.

However, the thickness of the product has nothing to do with how much the skin absorbs. In fact, if you provide too much moisturizer to the skin, causing it to be 'overfed,' the skin may not improve and can even lead to clogged pores, hidden pimples, inflamed pimples, and more.

To determine the appropriate amount of moisturizer for your skin, you need to consider various factors. Our advice is to listen to your own skin. When buying any moisturizer, try a small amount on the skin, then gradually increase if the skin is not moist enough and decrease if the skin feels excessive moisture, clogged, etc.

Therefore, using moisturizer in a moderate and necessary amount is essential to have a hydrated, plump skin in the winter.

This is also a concern for many women during the use of moisturizer. There are many opinions about the skin's mechanism of self-hydration. If too much moisture is provided to the skin, the skin cells will stop producing GAGs (molecules that play a role in retaining water in the skin), making the skin 'lazy,' leading to rough skin and losing the ability to self-hydrate.

But as mentioned earlier, the skin only stops producing GAGs if you use moisturizer excessively compared to the skin's needs. Therefore, the skin only loses its ability to self-hydrate if you use it incorrectly. So pay attention to how you use moisturizer to ensure the best effectiveness for the skin, while not diminishing or causing adverse effects that moisturizer brings.

As mentioned earlier, those with oily skin often fear the feeling of a 'greasy pan' after using moisturizer. If, after applying moisturizer, your skin not only doesn't improve but becomes even oilier and 'shiny,' you should reconsider your application technique.

There are many reasons why the skin produces excess oil when using moisturizer, and most of these stem from improper usage. The three main causes are: using too much moisturizer, using moisturizers with excessive moisture content, leading to pore blockage, and not maintaining clean and hygienic skin before applying moisturizer.

To remedy this situation, you need to understand how you are misusing the product. If you're using too much moisturizer, the solution is to moderate the amount to suit your skin.

• If you're using a moisturizer with excessively high moisture content or one unsuitable for oily skin, consider switching to a different product with ingredients better suited for oily skin, such as gel-based products.
• If your skin is oily due to improper cleansing, reconsider your cleansing routine. The correct cleansing process involves two steps: makeup removal and washing with a facial cleanser, even if you're not wearing makeup but only using sunscreen.

This thought isn't entirely wrong but also not entirely right. The body has different areas with varying moisturizing needs. Some areas may be excessively dry, while others receive a relatively adequate amount of moisture. Many people believe in the necessity of having dedicated moisturizing products for each area like hand cream, foot cream, coconut oil for elbows, etc.

However, you don't need to complicate the matter to that extent. If you have the budget, time, and effort to use specialized products for each area, that's excellent.

But for those who lack the time and capability, it's not mandatory. You can completely use a single product for the entire body if it meets your body's needs. The key here is to listen to your body's specific requirements and address them.

This is a misconception that many women are facing. When winter arrives, the skin has to endure the dryness of the weather, becoming dry, rough, full of dead skin, and then many start frantically looking for a moisturizing product to replenish moisture to the skin.

Don't think that only dry and peeling skin needs moisturizing. Any skin can be damaged and affected by external factors. Moisturizer not only reduces peeling and retains more water, but also plays a crucial role in strengthening and maintaining the skin's natural protective barrier, resisting harmful factors to the skin. That's the main reason why the skin needs to be adequately moisturized, not only in winter or severely dry and peeling skin.

Moisturizing is effective when you choose the right product and apply it correctly. One common misconception about moisturizers is applying them when the skin is dry and tight. The best results are achieved when the moisturizer is applied to damp skin. Doing so allows it to absorb quickly and perform its moisturizing task more effectively. If you apply moisturizer to excessively dry skin, it becomes challenging for the skin to absorb nutrients, and evenly spreading the cream on the skin's surface becomes difficult.

Therefore, remember that after washing your face, follow the proper skincare routine and use moisturizer as the final step. Also, choose a moisturizer suitable for different times of the day. For morning use, prioritize a moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF) above 30.

Currently, multi-purpose, 2-in-1, 3-in-1 products are gaining popularity due to the demand for versatile, time-saving products. Therefore, the emergence and popularity of moisturizers with sunscreen are not difficult to understand.

Many people think that if a product has integrated sun protection, they can skip the sunscreen step. However, that is a completely mistaken belief. Essentially, moisturizers with integrated sun protection are not 'dose enough' to protect the skin from sunlight and the harmful effects of the sun.

What you need here is to find a specialized sunscreen for the skin and use it after applying the layer of moisturizer, while reapplying the sunscreen every 2-3 hours of use to achieve optimal sun protection effectiveness.

Many individuals hesitate to use moisturizer when facing acne, but forget that dehydration and frequent oiliness are also factors causing skin breakouts. Those with acne-prone skin often fear moisturizing due to concerns about clogged pores exacerbating acne. In reality, providing moisture to the skin is crucial, even when dealing with acne.

Additionally, acne treatment methods tend to dry and irritate the skin. Therefore, using moisturizer daily while undergoing acne treatment can help the skin better absorb the prescribed medications. However, it's important to prioritize a gentle, oil-free moisturizer for acne-prone skin to promote skin health and prevent acne more effectively.