skinceuticals FAQ

The bottom line? Everyone should use moisturizer twice a day as part of their regular skincare routine. Regardless of your skin type, it’s an essential step that not only will keep your skin healthy, but also help make it look more hydrated, youthful and radiant. Even if you are prone to oily skin, there are lightweight moisturizer options to suit your needs.

Moisturizer is an essential skincare product that helps provide moisture to your skin, lock in hydration and support your skin’s natural barrier . Moisturizers can come in many forms including creams, lotions, gels and oils.

One of the primary benefits of moisturizer is to combat skin issues such as dryness and irritation. “Moisturizers are typically formulated with humectants, such as hyaluronic acid, that pull in water and add moisture back to the skin,” says Dr. Farhang. “Moisturizers also contain ingredients such as ceramides and fatty acids that play an important part in the structure of our skin and maintain the skin’s barrier.” Moisturizers can also have other benefits depending on the formulation. For instance, if a moisturizer is formulated with aloe vera, it may have soothing properties, or if it contains SPF, it doubles as a sunscreen. In addition to all of the perks listed above, moisturizer can also help with easing your skin into tolerating a potentially irritating skincare ingredient such as retinol.

As mentioned, retinol (and retinoids in general) have a multitude of benefits which include helping to improve skin texture, minimizing fine lines, treating acne, unclogging pores and fading hyperpigmentation, says Dr. Farhang. For all of the benefits that come with retinol, it’s important to be aware of the potential adverse effects. As a particularly potent ingredient, it can sometimes cause irritation and dryness. To prevent and minimize a negative reaction, it’s important to ease into retinol and choose a formula with a low percentage of the ingredient to start. This is a process called retinizing the skin . “I always encourage patients to go ‘low and slow’ with retinol,” says Dr. Campbell. “This means using a pea-sized amount one to two nights per week and then upping the frequency every two to four weeks as tolerated.”

Before adding retinol to your skincare routine, it’s a good idea to consult with a board-certified dermatologist to make sure the ingredient is right for you. That being said, if you struggle with acne or are starting to prioritize anti-aging, you might benefit from using retinol.

Even if you go “low and slow,” retinol can be drying, especially as your skin gets used to it, so pairing it with a moisturizer is non-negotiable. As for the correct order of application, Dr. Farhang and Dr. Campbell both recommend moisturizing after applying your retinol to minimize irritation. “Moisturize on top of the retinol to help with the dryness, especially around the mouth, which is where many patients experience the most significant irritation and dryness,” says Dr. Campbell. However, in some cases, it may be even better to apply moisturizer before and after your retinol. “For those that have sensitive skin and are easing into a retinol, they can use the ‘ sandwich method ,’ which is applying your moisturizer first, followed by a retinol, and then your moisturizer again,” Dr. Farhang explains. “The benefit of the sandwich method is that the moisturizer will create a protective barrier; however, it does decrease the absorption of the retinol.”

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that is most commonly used as an anti-aging skincare ingredient, but can also help tackle concerns such as acne, uneven skin texture and sun damage. It is a potent ingredient that takes some getting used to and is found in different concentrations in topical serums and creams.