Moisturizer seems simple enough. It is the thing you apply to your skin when it looks dry to make it feel better, right? Not quite.

There are a lot of misconceptions about moisturizer, who should use it, and how to apply it. When used correctly, moisturizers can offer enormous benefits to your skin. 

Today, we will be breaking down the top moisturizer misunderstandings, how to apply the product to your skin, and what product is best for you.

Moisturizer Misconceptions

Here are some of the top moisturizing myths debunked and questions answered.

Applying a Moisturizer Every Day Makes Your Skin Reliant on the Product 

Your skin will never “forget” how to stay hydrated. The truth is that sometimes it just needs help. With environmental factors like cold, dry air with low humidity levels or skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, it is natural for your skin to need support.

The only way your skin will protect you is to protect it first. Applying a moisturizer consistently will strengthen its moisture barrier. Your moisture barrier will, in turn, defend you against acne and premature aging.

Prevent your skin from ever being moisture deficient by using a moisturizer every day.

Moisturizer Is for People With Dry Skin 

As already discussed, everyone benefits from the additional moisture that a quality moisturizer provides. Your skin type or the current state of your skin does not alter whether you should be applying moisturizer.

Moisturizer can surely support those with dry skin or anyone struggling with flaking and rough patches, but it can offer support to men with hydrated-looking skin too. Moisturizer does more than just treat dryness. It protects against acne and can prevent the appearance of aging.

Keep your skin smooth and soothed by moisturizing consistently.

Moisturizer Containing SPF Can Replace Your Sunscreen

While skincare products containing SPF can help to defend your skin against the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, they are never a replacement for sunscreen.

If a moisturizer that is designed to protect you against UV light and pollution is available to you, it is definitely worth investing in. You can never have enough protection from the sun and other environmental effects like it.

Still, the sun’s light is so strong and so damaging that it is necessary that you continue to use your moisturizer in combination with sunscreen. For proper protection, it is important that you use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. 

Additionally, you should be using a broad-spectrum sunscreen. While your moisturizer with SPF can somewhat defend you against the sun’s rays, only a broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. 

UVA rays penetrate your skin more deeply, which can damage your skin cells and cause premature aging. UVB rays damage the outer layers of your skin and are usually responsible for sunburn.

Men With Acne Should Not Use Moisturizer

While this is completely false, this misconception is understandable. Acne develops in the skin when a man’s hair follicles become clogged with excess sebum, dead skin cells, dirt, and grime. A weak moisture barrier will not be able to keep bacteria out. This bacteria will reach the clogged pores, cause an infection, and develop pimples.

Therefore, many men assume that a product like a moisturizer being applied to the skin will contribute to the clogging of their pores. In actuality, any product — not just moisturizer — can clog your pores if its formula is wrong for your skin in the same way that everyone — even those who are acne-prone — can benefit from the correct moisturizer.

The most important thing is that you are using the right moisturizer for your skin. Those concerned about their pores being clogged can invest in a non-comedogenic moisturizer. Non-comedogenic skincare products are specifically designed not to clog your pores.

The right moisturizer can actually help to clear up a man’s acne. By strengthening your moisture barrier, bacteria will be kept out and away from the epidermis and unable to infect your hair follicles.

All Moisturizers Are the Same 

While all moisturizers share the same intended purpose, they can be made differently. As previously mentioned, how a moisturizer impacts your skin depends heavily on its formula. Some moisturizers are made mostly with chemicals, while others prioritize natural ingredients. 

While you are examining the ingredients used to make your moisturizer, take a look at the base of the product. A moisturizer’s base ingredient is normally the main component and will most influence your skin.

If a moisturizer has an alcohol base, it is most suited for oily skin. Those struggling with excess sebum on the skin can do with a little drying. However, other skin types should be wary of alcohol-based moisturizers as they may dry out their skin too much.

If a moisturizer has an oil base, it is most suited for dry skin. Anyone with naturally oily skin should avoid oil-based moisturizers, as this can result in shinier skin and acne production. 

Dry skin, however, will benefit from additional oil.

If a moisturizer is water-based, it is safe for all skin types. Skincare products that use water as their central ingredient are very absorbent and can have instant rejuvenating effects on your skin.

In addition to being nourishing on its own, water can also help support the other ingredients it is combined within, transferring its favorable properties to your skin.

How To Apply Your Moisturizer

Before applying your moisturizer, give your product a clean slate if you want it to work to its full extent. 

Use a high-quality facial cleanser to clean your face and remove dirt and grime from your skin and pores. Then, when your face is clear and has been patted dry with a soft towel, you can move on to applying your moisturizer.

An effective cleanser will only need to be applied over your face once every morning and night. A nickel-sized dollop is enough to cover your face but consider using a little more if you would like to moisturize your neck, as well.

As for what moisturizer to use, we recommend MadeMan’s The Refresher. 

The Refresher is a water-based product which, as you know by now, makes it safe and effective for all skin types. 

Our all-in-one moisturizer packs a punch. The complex blend of nutrients and antioxidants promotes the natural repair process, fixes fine lines, boosts natural collagen production, battles aging, soothes redness, and treats hyperpigmentation. 

MadeMan is all about science-backed skincare. 

Concocting the perfect formula took time. Our products took nearly two years to make and were crafted with ethicality and integrity to help men clear their skin and find their confidence.

Whether your goal is to hydrate your skin, minimize the signs of aging, or treat your acne, The Refresher has you covered. The fast-absorbing moisturizer contains carefully selected all-natural ingredients that, together, provide you with an overall healthy and handsome complexion. 

Allow us to give you some examples.

The Refresher Ingredients

One of the main ingredients in The Refresher is Indian ginseng extract. Indian ginseng, also called ashwagandha, is an evergreen shrub that grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. It is coveted for its ability to boost nutrition and ease inflammation.

When used in The Refresher, it is used to revive your skin and remove signs of fatigue. Additionally, it is meant to protect your skin cells from the light that is emitted by your electronic devices like your phone or laptop.

Another central ingredient in The Refresher is Vitamin C. 

Vitamin C is a vitamin that can be found in several foods, supplements, and skincare products. Vitamin C is popular in skincare because it is an antioxidant. This means protecting your skin cells from damaging free radicals caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

In The Refresher, Vitamin C is used to heal sun damage. Pigmented spots on the skin become less visible, inflammation is treated, and your overall skin is brightened. It is also used to protect your skin from environmental pollution and irritation.

One other premium ingredient used in The Refresher is chicory root. 

Chicory is a woody plant that belongs to the dandelion family. Chicory root fiber is derived from this plant and is used to help solve various health issues, including those pertaining to the skin.

Chicory root is used in The Refresher for its anti-aging properties.

Chicory root can lift and tighten the skin, targeting saggy skin. It also increases collagen production, which can make the skin smoother, relieve dryness, and minimize the appearance of fine lines.

For a full ingredient list, click here.

Conclusion

If you take anything away from this article, we hope it is the importance of using a moisturizer every day. Now that you have a better understanding of the function of moisturizer, we hope that you can use it to benefit your skin and achieve the complexion you have been hoping for. 

Remember to examine the moisturizer’s ingredients before applying it to your skin. Prioritize water-based products containing natural ingredients. Use it every morning and every night to reap all the benefits your product has to offer. 

After all, It starts with your skin. 

Sources:

Non-comedogenic cosmetics | PubMed

Sunscreen Application, Safety, and Sun Protection: The Evidence | PubMed

Skin type classification systems old and new | PubMed