5 Moisturizing Mistakes You're Probably Making | How to Moisturize

A moisturizer seems like the kind of thing that’s impossible to mess up, right? You find that your skin is dry or rough, you put on some moisturizer and go about your day. There are, however, a myriad of things that can go wrong in those short steps. 

Think you never needed a user’s guide to moisturizing? Tell that to your still-dry skin.  Here, we’re going to outline the moisturizer mistakes you keep making and get you on the path to super-smoothness.

You’re not using the right amount of moisturizer.

If you feel that your moisturizer is only effective on certain parts of your face and not others, it could be because you're not using enough.

How much moisturizer to use? Increase the amount of moisturizer by a pea-size each time until you find you’re evenly coating all areas of your skin.

On the other hand, here are signs you may be using too much moisturizer:

• White filmy residue 
• Heavy, sticky feeling skin
• Milia (Those horrible white bumps that can appear under your eyes!)

The proper amount of moisturizer will leave you feeling perfectly hydrated for several hours, not rough and dry in any particular location yet not greasy to the touch.

You’re not moisturizing every day.

Lots of people think that if their diet and dress choices are appropriate; their skin will magically be perfect and behave all year long. That's not how it works.

Despite being on the most stringent diets and meeting all your water-drinking quotas daily, your skin may not be receiving the moisture it needs.

Incorporate a moisturizer into your daily skin care routine to keep skin drying agents such as heaters and wacky weather in check.

You’re not following the rest of your skin care routine.

Moisturizing is not a step that lives independent of everything else, it is meant to be part of something bigger - a full skin care routine.

Moisturizing is the part of the routine where you are sealing in the best moisturizer you can find, ensuring all the beneficial ingredients are packed close to your skin and staying there throughout the day.

You’re not using the right moisturizer for your skin type.

Like finding the right size t-shirt or pair of pants, it’s important to find the right fit for your skin type. Analyzing your skin type isn’t easy, but we’ve got you covered.

Read our basic guide to understanding your skin: "What Skin Type Are You?” and select a moisturizerdesigned for your skin type.

You’re only moisturizing your face.

Your skin works as one large organ (the largest, in fact), and by not taking care of all of it, the entirety is affected.

Even though your face is one of the first places to show signs of maturity, it’s not the only place to reveal your age – your legs, neck, and décolleté can too! Read how to care for the skin below your neck.

Keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized means less dry, flaking skin that doesn’t work to its fullest ability, and more soft, supple skin that is in tip-top condition. Don't skip out on one of the most important steps in your skin care routine!