Unexpected Signs You are Over Moisturizing Your Skin 

Is it even possible to over-moisturize?

This might be a problem you didn’t know you were creating.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know, from questions like “why do we even use moisturizer?”, “can you over moisturize your skin?” and much more!

What is a moisturizer?

A moisturizer, in some cases referred to as an emollient, is a product that is used to moisturize, protect, and lubricate the skin.

This can help support the skin to perform its basic functions, which are to protect the internal body, sense and perceive information through touch, and determine temperature.

Everyone, even with oil prone skin, can benefit from using the right moisturizer. In some cases, a lack of moisturizer can make the skin overcompensate and create more oil.

Humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, common ingredients in moisturizers, can also help bind water to the skin. Many moisturized also have lipids to create a layer to physically prevent water loss.

In fact, cleansing, moisturizing, and SPF in the morning are the bare essentials to a simple yet effective skincare routine.

Why do we use moisturizer?

Everyone, man, woman, both, neither, everyone should perform the basic steps of cleansing, moisturizing, and SPF.

Even if you don’t use makeup, need a skincare routine.

Moisturizers help to reduce water loss in the skin, protect the skin from irritating pollutants throughout the day, and can even contain ingredients that treat certain skin concerns, like redness or sensitivity.

Dry skin can also impair the function of the skin to protect and sense. Lipids naturally found in the skin can help prevent water loss as well.

Everything in life, make-up, cosmetics, sunscreen, dirt, pollutants, cleanses, etc, all strip the skin by settling on the skin and causing water loss.

Ok, so can you over moisturize?

Yes and no.

It is actually very unlikely to happen.

There is a hyper hydration state in the top layer of the skin. Take diaper rash for example; too much hydration due to trapped water causes overgrowth of bacteria and yeast, causing rash, itch, and painful redness.

A problem for adults may be mask rash, where sweat or saliva may become trapped, leading to a similar problem. 

Oil Production of the Skin and Moisturizer

It is a myth that moisturizer causes an increase in oil production. Oil production in the skin is more than anything caused by hormones in the body.

Not using a moisturizer may actually be causing your body to react by increasing oil production.

You can Overdo Everything

While this is true that too much of a good thing is bad, unless you are applying moisturizer every hour on the hour, it might be hard to overdo it.

But in all sincerity, you only need to apply moisturizer once in the morning and maybe repeat at night.

Other parts of the body benefit from a once a day moisturizing, though we can moisturize our hands more, as we wash our hands frequently (I hope) throughout the day.

The Takeaway

Over moisturizing is probably not a problem you will have. Cases of too much skin moisture are very extreme cases, such as when water becomes trapped for long periods or in cases where you are moisturizing the skin every minute.

Everyone can benefit from a moisturizer, even thoughts with acne-prone skin.

 Besides, that, everyone can benefit from using moisturizer, as it can help support the skin in its daily function.

The skin goes through a lot simply existing. It comes into contact with makeup, sunscreen, dirt, sweat, pollutants, dust, and random microscopic stuff just floating in the air.

Make sure you protect it by having a basic skincare routine that can help treat certain skin concerns! Remember to check ingredients, and learn what is safe and what to avoid.

There are even certain products that work best apart.

Finding the right routine can seem challenging, but remember, skincare is about progress not perfection!