Moisturizing is arguably one of the most important parts of a skincare routine. Moisturizing creams, lotions, and serums can help your skin stay healthy. By increasing the amount of water in the superficial layer of your skin and facilitating the access of active ingredients into your body, moisturizing helps fortify your skin’s barrier properties.

The type of moisturizer and the amount of product you need to use is specific to your needs. That being said, there are some general rules that you should follow to get the best results from your moisturizing product.

Read on to find out the most common mistakes men make when using a moisturizer and find out how you can avoid making them yourself.

1. Applying Moisturizer Without Cleaning Your Face

Moisturizers are made from active ingredients that help attract moisture and lock it in the superficial layers of your skin. So it makes sense that your skincare product can also lock in dirt, dust, food and drink particles, and other pollutants that have the potential to do a lot of harm.

Using a cleanser before applying your skincare products can help prevent irritation and breakouts caused by the dust and grime your face accumulates throughout the day.

The easiest way to integrate a moisturizer into your daily routine is to apply your product after a shower. As a pro tip, you can use your moisturizer while your face is still damp to lock in all that extra moisture and boost the efficiency of your product.

2. Not Using an Exfoliator

The good news is that your skin is constantly renewing itself. The bad news is that those old cells like to stubbornly cling to the surface of your face. This can be a problem because a buildup of dead skin cells can lead to problems like clogged pores and irritation. It can also impede the absorption of your moisturizer.

This accumulation of dead cells will be more obvious if you have dry skin. It can create an uneven complexion and make your face more prone to redness and inflammation.

The best way to get rid of old skin cells buildup is by using an exfoliating product. You can also use a face scrubber as a physical exfoliator when you’re washing your face.

Using an exfoliator 2 to 3 times a week can help improve the absorption of your skincare products. It can also improve your complexion and even help prevent those random breakouts.

3. Excessive Rubbing

Your manly face needs a gentle touch. You might be tempted to use too much force when you’re applying your skin care products. Thing is, rubbing in your moisturizer won’t help it get absorbed more quickly and can actually do some harm.

The friction you’re applying with your fingers can lead to an uneven distribution of your product and holds the potential to cause micro lesions in your skin. The same principle applies to your bearded areas, where tugging and pulling your skin and hairs can damage your hair follicles.

You should always avoid applying pressure on areas where your skin is thinner. Rubbing the skin under your eyes can damage the fine blood vessels and accentuate dark circles.

Apply your moisturizer with gentle motions and ensure even coverage on the surface of your skin. Your skin will absorb the active ingredients of your product at its own pace. Some things just can’t be rushed.

4. Using the Same Moisturizer in Day and Night Skincare Routines

Your skin has an internal clock that makes it behave differently throughout the day. During your awake hours, your skin is primed to act as a shield that helps fight against harmful factors. But while you sleep, your skin begins the process of rebuilding and regenerating. This makes your cells more vulnerable to water loss, and you can help them by using a different type of moisturizer.

Your daytime routine can benefit from a lighter moisturizer that is easily absorbed into your skin. We recommend The Skin Struggle Rise moisturizing cream for a light moisturizing effect to help strengthen your skin barrier.

Your evening skincare routine can include a moisturizer with a heavier formulation, that’s rich in nutrients and will do a better job of preventing excessive water loss while you sleep. You can check out The Skin Struggle’s Crash moisturizing cream, an intensely hydrating product to help your cells stay healthy and recuperate from a day’s hard work.

5. Using the Wrong Moisturizer

Paying attention to your skin’s needs and doing your research are the first steps toward building your skincare routine. Men can have any skin type out there, and knowing your skin type will help you choose the perfect moisturizer. Always check the ingredient label of a product to help you figure out if you’re choosing the right moisturizer for your needs.

Occlusives like dimethicone and lanolin will help create a protective layer over your skin and fortify your skin’s barrier properties. These are a great addition to products for dry skin types.

Oily skin moisturizers will help restore your face’s lipid barrier to help prevent water loss and regulate oil production. Look for a water-based moisturizer that feels light on your skin and doesn’t add weight to your face’s natural oil production. Some great ingredients to look for are ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

If your skin is sensitive you can try a moisturizer that contains skin-friendly ingredients like niacinamide and active ingredients like aloe vera that have protective and anti-inflammatory properties.

6. Not Moisturizing Your Acne-Prone Skin

Breakouts and acne are often caused by oil residue, dead skin cells and bacteria blocking your pores. If your skin is suffering from this type of inflammation, your cells are at their most vulnerable, and the barrier function of your skin is damaged. This accelerates water loss and can work against the healing process.

Applying a moisturizer can help your cells stay hydrated, nourished and healthy, so they can fight against acne-causing factors. Another important piece of information is that most of the ingredients used in acne treatments will cause dry skin. This means that a moisturizer is an essential part of any skin-condition care.

7. Using Too Much or Too Little Product

Your skin’s needs are unique. There is no universal guide that can tell you exactly how much product you should use on your face. Learning the amount of moisturizer your skin needs is part of your skincare journey, and all you have to do is pay attention and be patient.

Too much product can feel uncomfortable on your skin. It will make your face feel greasy and the excess product that your skin can’t absorb may end up blocking your pores and causing problems.

Start your moisturizer application by using a small amount of product and spreading it evenly on your skin. You can always add more product to the areas that have a tendency to become dry. If you notice that your skin still feels dry and tight after applying your moisturizer, that’s a clear sign that you need a bit more product.

8. Not Applying Moisturizer on Your Neck

The skin of your neck is extremely sensitive. It’s actually thinner than most of the skin of your face, and it’s often neglected during the skincare routine. Your neck is most likely the first part of your skin to develop signs of aging, and it’s important that you treat it with the same care and respect as you do your face.

All you need to do is extend your face skincare routine to include your neck. It only takes up a couple of seconds, but the benefits will be well worth your time.