The Importance of Using Moisturiser

4 April 2017

The skin is the largest organ of your body and, just like other organs, it requires protection from certain hazards. In constant contact with the external environment, it’s also significantly affected by internal factors like your health and lifestyle, making it especially vulnerable. The results of damage are highly noticeable, with skin becoming tight, uncomfortable, wrinkled, red, oilier, or less elastic.

Fighting from the outside in

To avoid or delay the deterioration and ageing of skin, it’s important to eat healthy foods and stay hydrated. This fights skin damage from the inside out – but in order to truly halt the sands of time, topical treatments are needed also. In particular, moisturiser can be especially effective at combatting these effects.

Moisturiser is a combination of naturally derived oil, cream and plant extracts for application on the face and body. It uses enriching elements to keep skin healthy, soft, smooth, hydrated and glowing.

Moisturisers work by being instantly absorbed into the skin, replenishing moisture and nutrients that may have been lost during sleep or throughout the day. A good moisturiser will never make your skin dry or oily, instead bringing the skin to its ideal balance. Use our Cheongidan Hwa Hyun Radiant Regenerating Cream, a precious formula made with powdered deer antlers, as well as the rare Pearl-shaped Wild Ginseng Roots. It maintains harmony and balance in the skin by helping to raise water energy and lower fire energy in the skin.

The benefits of moisturiser

Moisturising is essential for all skin types, and is the cornerstone of good skin care. Forming a barrier between the skin and environmental conditions, it acts as a protective layer to stop the skin from losing its much-needed moisture. Dry and ageing skin derive the maximum benefits from moisturiser, but even oily and young skin will benefit greatly.

Moisturisers generally come in two forms: liquid and cream. Rich, liquid and cream moisturisers, such as those in The History of Whoo’s line, take care of skin by not only protecting it, but by assisting to evaporate excess moisture. They encourage healthy skin function and keep you feeling and looking youthful.

When to use moisturiser

The age at which you need to start moisturising is debateable, but most skin experts agree that the earlier you start moisturising the better. As you age and go through menopause, the sebaceous glands function differently, and your oestrogen levels drop. You’ll lose oil and water, and skin becomes noticeably more dry.

However, long before that – generally between the ages of 20 of 30 – you start losing one per cent of collagen a year from your face. Collagen is needed to keep the skin’s elasticity, volume and youthful appearance, and the more collagen lost, the older your skin appears.

Ninety per cent of skin damage, such as wrinkles and collagen reduction, is down to the effects of the sun. Therefore, protecting your skin from harmful UV rays with moisturiser and SPF is crucial from mid to late teens.

The best time to apply moisturiser is immediately after a bath or shower, when your skin is still slightly damp. For those with dry skin, twice a day is recommended.

How to apply moisturiser

Like makeup, the art of moisturising lies in the application. In fact, your moisturising technique should be given just as much importance as the product itself.

The general rule of thumb is that you should always apply your skincare products in order of lightest to heaviest.

The order generally accepted is:

• Cleansing
• Balancing
• Anti-ageing serum
• Eye cream
• Moisturising cream

An SPF-enriched solution should also be applied in the mornings, a few minutes after your moisturiser has properly sunk in.

When it comes to application, a little goes a long way. A small amount not only ensures you don’t waste any product, but prevents your pores from becoming clogged. Moisturising is important, but you don’t want to overdo it.

For the eye areas take your ring finger and place 4-5 dots of product about a quarter of an inch apart, starting at the outer corner of the eye where any wrinkles begin. Dab downwards along the orbital bone, being careful not to rub. Over time your eye cream will spread, so there is no need to apply product directly to the soft tissue area.

Instead of pushing cream product outwards from the middle of your face, dab the product evenly and blend it. Never rub the product into the skin too harshly, or you could be doing more damage than good. Adopt a dab and pat rhythm and not only will you prevent the skin from stretching, you’ll stimulate the circulation, wake up your complexion, and work to flush out any toxins that have built up in your lymph nodes.

For the neck and decolletage area, apply slightly more moisturiser than you do to your face and liberally spread across the neck, throat and chest using the same dab and pat technique.

Consistency is key

Like the rest of your body, your skin falls into a routine. If you apply moisturiser twice a day only to skip a few days here and there, expect your skin to react. The more consistent you are with your moisturising products, the better results you will see.

Weather can be a contributing factor to skin appearance, and while it should be considered, it should only ever be a reason to continue your moisturising routine. After all, when humidity levels plummet then the dry air can dehydrate your skin and strip it of lipids – part of the protective layer of your skin. Irritants can enter more easily, and the result will be redness and flaking. And if you neglect moisturiser when in the sun (especially if you then spend time in air conditioning), your skin will show the effects of dehydration and sun damage.

In short, if you take the time to moisturise every day, you’ll reap the benefits that come from softer, more hydrated skin.