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• M is for MOISTURIZER

  It’s the word most guys can go a lifetime not saying. But this word is the second most important step to a healthy face; say it with me, guys….MOISTURIZER.

  So what is a moisturizer and why does your face need it?  Moisturizer is basically a lightweight lotion designed specifically for the skin on your face.  Why do you need it? To protect your face from environmental stresses and to keep it looking healthy, smooth and refreshed. A good moisturizer can also help minimize the appearance of wrinkles.

  So can’t you just use the same stuff you use on your hands or body when your skin is chapped our you  have a sunburn? To put it simply, your face is more sensitive than the rest of the skin on your body. Your hands, for example, can’t produce their own natural oils and dry out easily, so hand and body lotions are usually thick heavy duty formulations designed to add and seal in moisture. Think of it like car wax. Your body is the car and your face is the interior. The wax you use to protect your car’s paint isn’t going to be the same one you use to condition the interior. A car’s paint job needs strong protection from oxidation, debris and the natural elements. While the interior needs similar care to keep it looking new, it requires something a lot milder, less greasy. Think Armor All. It’s a thinner less viscous solution than car wax.

  If you use the same heavy lotion on your face that you do on your body, you’re asking for trouble. Most hand and body lotions are “comedogenic” which means they contain ingredients that can clog pores, causing breakouts and blackheads when applied to the face. Most facial moisturizers are lighter formulations designed for the specific needs of the face. The products I discuss below are “non comedogenic”. They wont clog pores, cause breakouts or blackheads.

  These suggestions are broken down by skin type. And for the record, ALL of the products I discuss can be used as an after-shave. There’s no need for after-shave AND moisturizer. Most moisturizers are better at soothing just shaved skin than any after-shave.

  **Note: If you have sensitive skin, avoid products that have  fragrance or artificial colors in them. If you’re outside a lot or fair skinned,  use a product that has an SPF of at least 15 to ward off daily sun damage.

  SENSITIVE, NORMAL & DRY SKIN - If you have skin that is easily irritated or if your face doesn’t have large pores, get oily  or is frequently dry, you should consider the following products:

  • Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion. This is a mild, non-greasy, quick absorbing lotion that won’t clog pores. It does what a good no nonsense moisturizer should do, and that’s keep your face soothed and hydrated. It doesn’t have sunscreen in it. If you want a moisturizer with sunscreen, which is important if you are outdoors often, try the following…
  • Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF15. Just like the above product but with a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen .
  • Cera Ve Moisturizing Lotion. Soothing, non-greasy, non-irritating moisturizer that lasts all day long.  It’s particularly good if you suffer from mild eczema or psoriasis and have very dry skin.  Like the other recommendations, it’s fragrance free, has no artificial colors and wont clog pores.
  • Cera Ve Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM. Though it says PM on it (and I’m assuming you’re supposed to use it at night) this is a great moisturizer . This simple, fragrance and color free formulation has many anti-aging properties  keeping skin hydrated and soft.

  COMBINATION/OILY SKIN - If your skin gets oily , especially on your forehead, nose and chin area, but is dry around the cheek area,  if you have large pores and/or occasional breakouts, consider the following:

  • Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Cream. Helps minimize and keep pores clean. Lightweight and non greasy, it’s effective at keeping oily skin balanced by giving it just enough hydration.
  • Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion SPF 15. Like the above product, but it has sunscreen and feels slightly thicker.
  • Jason Ester -C Lotion. A lightweight face lotion full of anti-aging vitamins. It’s made with natural and organic ingredients, if you are into that sort of thing. More about “natural and organic skin care” and “anti-aging” skin care in a later post.

  **If you have very oily skin, sometimes putting any kind of moisturizer on it can cause breakouts no matter how light, non-comedogenic or “oil free” a product says it is. The oil your skin produces is a natural moisturizer, so you might consider skipping a moisturizer altogether if you have this type of skin. Just make sure you wash your face twice a day with a gentle non-drying, non-irritating cleanser.

  ACNE PRONE SKIN - If you have acne you still need to keep your skin hydrated. Stripping your skin dry with harsh cleansers and acne lotions makes your skin want to produce more natural oil to protect it. And that makes your problems a lot worse. The trick with acne prone skin is again, to use a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that conditions the skin, while providing some antibacterial protection.  Here are some of the safer choices for acne prone skin:

  • ProActiv Repairing Lotion. I said it before and I’ll say it again. ProActiv works. This lotion has Benzoyl Peroxide in it to kill the bacteria that can settle into pores and cause breakouts. It’s not the most hydrating of lotions but provides very basic protection for skin prone to frequent acne flair ups.
  • Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment. With Salicylic Acids to unclog pores and refine skin, this very light non-greasy lotion soothes with skin conditioners that help reduce redness and irritation.

  WHEN TO APPLY IT - Like I stated in the post about washing your face properly, it’s about developing a routine. You should  moisturize in the morning after you’ve washed your face and  brushed your teeth (you don’t want  toothpaste residue on a clean face, it can dry your skin out).

  At night, before bed, wash your face again and reapply moisturizer. If using a face lotion twice a day is too much of a commitment,  once a day, in the morning, is better than nothing. Just make sure to wash your face before bed to rinse off the day’s dirt, oil and moisturizer.

  HOW TO APPLY IT - Put a nickel sized amount of moisturizer right below the fingertips of a CLEAN hand. Rub your fingertips together to warm the lotion, then apply it evenly across your entire face and neck in light circular motions. Remember, it’s better to start off with a little bit and add more if you need it than to apply too much.

  Don’t forget the under eye area. To minimize and help prevent wrinkles around the eyes (aka crows feet) pat the moisturizer gently around the lower eye/upper cheek area. Avoid the inner corner of your eyes near the bridge of your nose and NEVER put any face product on your eyelids. The lids don’t need it. Applying product to your eyelids will guarantee red, stinging, water eyes. You’ll look stoned- without the high. Not good.

  So…I hope you are brave enough to embrace the concept of moisturization, and to do it at least once a day. The goal here is to get you in a natural routine of cleaning and protecting your skin every day, in two minutes or less.

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