Skin Care
How often should you moisturize your face? How much is the right amount? If your skin is oily, do you need to moisturize as often as someone with dry skin? Whether you go through moisturizer quickly or hardly use any, these questions often come up when you’re building a skincare routine.
We asked Dr. Hooman Khorasani to clarify common questions about moisturizers. Dr. Khorasani is triple board-certified, fellowship-trained, and practices cosmetic and skin cancer surgery. After asking him a range of questions, here’s his Q&A covering the most frequent concerns.
Quick Links
– What does moisturizer do?
– Does moisturizer help all skin types?
– Humectants, occlusives, and emollients — what’s the difference?
– Can you over-moisturize?
– How much moisturizer should I use?
– Which moisturizer should I choose?
What does moisturizer do?
Moisturizing generally means applying a topical product that increases hydration in the skin. Ceramides and other lipids make up the skin’s barrier. Sebaceous glands produce lipids that help prevent moisture loss. Even oily skin needs hydration—when skin is too dry, it signals sebaceous glands to produce more oil, creating a feedback loop.
Does moisturizer help all skin types?
Yes, in general. Moisturizing helps prevent dryness, flaking, redness, and itching. Different areas of the body need different amounts of moisture because sebaceous gland density varies. Areas like the forehead, nose, middle cheeks, and around the mouth (the “T-zone”) usually need less moisturizing than other parts of the face. The trunk and legs often have fewer sebaceous glands and may need more frequent moisturizing.
Some people naturally produce more oil and need less moisturizer. Sebum production is influenced by sex hormones and can change with hormonal cycles—this is common in women but can happen to men too. People with eczema have reduced lipid production and a weaker skin barrier, making them more prone to infections. They typically need more moisturizing and should focus on preventing moisture loss as well as adding hydration. Short, lukewarm showers and using home humidifiers can help. Occasional antiseptic baths may reduce bacterial triggers and lower infection risk.
Humectants, occlusives, and emollients — what’s the difference?
All three types boost skin hydration, but they work differently. Humectants pull water from the air into the skin’s surface—think of them as tiny moisturizers on the skin. Natural humectants include honey, molasses, egg whites and yolks, and aloe vera.
Emollients are butters, oils, lipids, and fatty acids that smooth and soften skin. Based on ingredients and texture, they come as ointments, creams, lotions, or gels. Ointments give the most hydration but can feel heavy. Gels are the least hydrating but feel light and dry quickly.
Occlusives form a physical barrier that reduces water loss from the epidermis. They offer extra protection against external harm. Natural occlusives include beeswax and thicker oils like coconut, soybean, and olive oils. These are especially helpful for very dry skin and eczema.
Can you over-moisturize?
Yes — moderation is important. Just as dryness can trigger more oil production, over-hydration can signal sebaceous glands to slow lipid production. Applying too many heavy products can clog pores and cause breakouts.
How much moisturizer should you use?
First, cleanse your skin gently to remove dirt, bacteria, and clogged pores. If you have a lot of flakiness, use a mild scrub or exfoliant to remove dead skin, since that layer can block moisture absorption. After exfoliating, use a pea-sized amount of moisturizer for each side of your face. You can be more generous when applying moisturizer to other body areas.
Which moisturizer should I choose?
For oily or all skin types, a lightweight gel moisturizer like the Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer is a good choice—it can minimize the look of pores and leave a smooth, matte finish. For very dry or mature skin, the Firm Skin Acai Moisturizer is richer and contains shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and a BioComplex of antioxidants, CoQ10, and alpha-lipoic acid to boost hydration. For breakout-prone skin, try the Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer, which includes the BioComplex plus cucumber juice and willow bark extract to help tone and refresh the skin. We have more recommendations for different skin types in our detailed guide.
How often do you apply moisturizer? Share in the comments or on social media. You can also find a moisturizer at an Eminence Organics Spa Partner to match your skin type.
Product Picks
– Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer
For problem-prone skin
$65.00
(126)
– Firm Skin Acai Moisturizer
For aging skin types
$65.00
(134)