When it comes to moisturizing, your skin actually has its own natural moisturizer known as NMF which stands for natural moisturizing factor. The NMF helps to control the flow of water from your skin’s deepest layers to the surface of your skin. Your skin’s natural hydrator, sebum, is also essential when it comes to preventing moisture loss. Sebum creates a protective barrier on the surface of your skin so that there is a delay in how much water evaporates. As we age, however, NMF and sebum both begin to decrease which then brings on the need for us to begin using moisturizers with water-regulating properties. Regardless of your skin type, even if it is oily, needs to be moisturized twice per day.

There are two different types of moisturizers : humectants and occlusives. Humectants are used to draw moisture from the bottom layers of the dermis to the surface of the skin. Occlusives create an oily layer on the surface of the skin which helps to seal in water and prevent it from evaporating.

Your skin should look and feel moisturized, especially if you spritz it with water first, for at least twelve hours.