Skin Care Basics: Moisturizing
Using moisturizer is an important skin care step for many people. Moisturizers are used to keep the skin healthy and supple, and they are also used to correct various skin problems and bring relief from scratching, itching and dryness. Many people wonder how often they should apply moisturizer, but that answer depends on the person's individual situation. Here are some reasons why it's important that you use moisturizer.
For those who follow a regimen to keep their skin healthy, it's important to regularly moisturize. The frequency with which moisturizer should be applied is dependent on how much oil the skin contains. For some, using lotion daily helps to replenish moisture stripped away by soap. For those with oily skin, moisturizing every other day or perhaps twice a week may be enough to keep the skin moist.
When there is a medical issue at hand that dries out the skin, moisturizing once per day and maybe more can minimize discomfort and slow down skin damage. For instance, people with eczema itch a lot, and the natural response is to scratch. Scratching causes more damage and inflames the skin, and moisturizing twice daily can help soothe the itching and prevent damage.
The advantages of moisturizing the skin aren't just for a particular gender or age group. Everyone can benefit from the use of a moisturizer; children can benefit from using sunscreen and applying unscented lotion after a bath or shower. That will keep their skin from drying out and keep it supple.
Most men don't think much about using moisturizer, but the application of an unscented lotion on areas like the heels, elbows and feet can prevent the development of rough and dry skin. Taking just a moment to apply lotion after a bath or shower twice a week will likely be enough to keep the skin strong and healthy.
For most people, the best time to apply moisturizer is after a bath or shower because the skin still retains some of the bath water. Applying a moisturizer will help to seal in that moisture and allow the skin to absorb it. Unless your skin is oily, moisturizing daily won't cause any issues, but if you have a skin condition you should consult a dermatologist to learn when and how to moisturize.