How to Moisturize Your Face: Expert Tips, When to Do It, and Ingredients to Look For

Moisturizers have been central to skin care for centuries. Legend has it that even Cleopatra soaked in milk to harness its hydrating properties.

There are solid reasons for this. Moisturizers have been demonstrated to raise water content in the stratum corneum, the skin’s outermost layer, easing dryness.

They’re also credited with diminishing aging signs and helping skin appear healthier overall.

With so many moisturizers available, choosing the right one and using it properly can feel overwhelming. Keep reading for professional advice on achieving dewy, resilient skin.

How to moisturize

Apply moisturizer to clean skin right after cleansing, because it helps prevent the dryness that can follow washing. Moisturizers work best when applied to slightly damp skin, as they lock in moisture.

“It’s important to gently exfoliate your skin, which you can do by using a baby washcloth each time you wash your face or by using a cotton pad,” says Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “This removes dead skin so the moisturizer can better absorb into your skin.”

Next, use about a pea-sized amount of moisturizer and apply it with your fingertips, massaging in gentle circular motions until fully absorbed.

To see the technique in action, check out these video tutorials:

• “How To Apply Moisturiser” from Elemis
• “Beauty tutorial: How to apply your moisturizer correctly” from Vogue Paris

Don’t neglect your neck and décolletage when you apply product.

In short, follow these steps:

1. Cleanse.
2. Gently exfoliate with a baby washcloth or cotton pad.
3. Apply moisturizer in circular motions, including the neck.

How to moisturize overnight

There’s a wide selection of night creams and overnight lotions available.

Popular picks include CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream with hyaluronic acid and biomimetic peptides, or Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and vitamin C for dry to normal skin types.

Dr. Ellen Marmur, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare, favors multitasking formulations.

“I prefer to multitask, so my night serum-moisturizer MMRepose blends potent humectants with microbiome-supporting, antioxidant, and peptide ingredients,” she explains.

Overnight masks are another option if your skin feels extra dry or lackluster. Consider Doppeltree Renew Overnight Sleeping Facial Mask or Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask.

“Quality sleep and relaxation have been shown to help hydrate the skin naturally,” Marmur says.

Prioritizing restful sleep along with an effective night cream or lotion will support moisture retention and reduce dryness.

Marmur also uses the MMSphere red LED device for 20 minutes to unwind and encourage deeper sleep.

“Red LED light can trigger dopamine release in the brain, which supports deeper sleep,” she notes.

How to moisturize naturally

“Natural options for hydrating your face include aloe vera or algae-based gels, which calm and hydrate the skin, and even milk, which has anti-inflammatory attributes,” says Marmur.

A 2006 study found that freeze-dried aloe vera extract is an effective natural component for improving skin hydration and reducing dryness.

Consider products like Aloe Infusion Organic Aloe Vera Gel or Nature Republic Soothing Moisture Aloe Vera Gel.

How to moisturize without product

“Lifestyle measures help hydrate your skin naturally and keep that moisture,” says Marmur. “Stress creates tiny fissures in the skin, which increases dehydration via transepidermal water loss.”

Marmur recommends other habits to help skin retain moisture:

• regular exercise
• moderating alcohol intake
• cutting back on salt
• eating water-rich foods like lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes
• maintaining relaxation practices that lower stress

When to moisturize

“It’s best to apply moisturizer after you cleanse your face,” Jaliman says. This can be done twice daily — morning and evening.

Applying moisturizer right after bathing or showering also helps lock moisture in.

Why it matters

When the skin can’t hold sufficient moisture, it may become dry or rough. This can result from environmental factors, frequent washing, or underlying medical issues.

“Using a moisturizer helps protect the skin’s barrier from irritation. It also helps prevent dryness or restore hydration if your skin is dry,” says Marmur.

Moisturizer forms a protective layer between your skin and the environment, including cold, dry air that exacerbates moisture loss.

Moisturizing also helps rehydrate and improve the skin’s ability to retain water.

This is achieved through formulations designed to rehydrate the outer skin layer, seal in moisture, and shield against external stressors.

What to look for in a moisturizer

Lotions, creams, serums, and ointments are the main vehicles for adding moisture and treating dry skin.

Jaliman recommends searching for moisturizers that include:

• hyaluronic acid
• glycerin
• ceramides
• SPF
• “noncomedogenic” on the label

Noncomedogenic means it’s formulated not to clog pores. One noncomedogenic option is Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream.

It’s also wise to pick a moisturizer with SPF for daily sun defense, such as Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 30.

If your skin is acne-prone, consider Revision Skincare Intellishade Original Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 40, which contains peptides and broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

Other helpful ingredient categories include:

• Occlusives: oily agents that reduce water evaporation, like petrolatum, cetyl alcohol, lanolin, lecithin, mineral oil, paraffin, and stearic acid
• Humectants: ingredients that draw moisture from the air into the outer skin layer, such as glycerin, honey, and panthenol
• Vitamins: support reduction of fine lines and stimulate collagen production, e.g., vitamins C and E

Expert tips

Marmur’s advice for efficient facial moisturizing is to keep your routine straightforward and avoid overloading with too many products.

“Stick to a maximum of three key items and be deliberate about what you use,” Marmur says.

Finding a moisturizer that matches your skin type — dry, oily, or combination — is also crucial.

If you have dry skin, try Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer. For oily-to-combination skin, consider Formula 10.0.6 Seriously Shine-Free Moisturizer or Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion.

If you’re unsure of your skin type, consult a dermatologist.

Cautions

Although adverse reactions to moisturizers are uncommon, they can occur. Always patch-test new products. If you observe irritation, seek advice from a dermatologist.

If you have existing skin issues such as acne or contact dermatitis, discuss suitable product choices with a skin specialist.

Takeaway

Regular use of a moisturizer helps skin retain hydration, reduces dryness, and protects against environmental stressors.

Select a moisturizer that suits your skin type or consult a dermatologist for a tailored skin care plan.